Vickie Kiernan - June 2026

How and where did your art practice begin?

My art practice began in March of 2020 in my home after watching a few YouTube videos on painting. After having been retired for 2 years, I realized it was time to make my dreams come true and start painting again. I had painted all through high school and knew the day would come when I would get back into it. Many photos had been taken over the years in anticipation of future paintings. Something inside me just knew I would do this again... My whole life I have been a creator of some sort whether it be sewing, cake decorating, crafting etc. I used to make my Barbie doll clothes and furniture as a child from found items around the home. Creating provides a sense of excitement and accomplishment. I'm mostly self-taught with a few on-line courses and workshops from artists I love for their art and/or teaching style.

Where do you draw inspiration for your forms/designs? 

Most of my inspiration comes from nature in the form of flowers and all scapes including land, sea, home, etc. in no particular order. Flowers are usually part of the scapes. I have taken a few workshops in Italy over the last 3 years and they always provide me with plenty of beauty to bring to life. I've studied in Cinque Terre, Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast. Providing the sea, tuscan terrain and their beautiful villas to take center stage. My daily life is filled with looking at light/shadow, color, composition, etc. and how it applies to painting. I cannot walk outside without "seeing" what nature has to offer up on that particular day. One could say I'm a bit obsessed.

How do you plan your pieces and how do you decide when they’re finished?

I plan my pieces with something that gives me a spark and makes me say "Oh my!." I get very excited. Usually it's driven from light/shadow and color. Small studies implementing art elements are a very useful tool in planning out a successful painting. Deciding when they are finished can be tough, however. The left side of the brain says you must add more detail and make it an exact copy; but, that usually results in a painting that has lost its freshness which then becomes far less interesting to the viewer. As a newer artist, this is something I am trying to be more aware of. Leaving some mystery for the viewer is a good thing.

What draws you to your specific/preferred medium? 

What draws me to my preferred medium is the end result; but, I also love how it performs. I prefer oil paint for the depth and luminosity revealed in the finished product. Sometimes, though, I start with acrylic first. It creates a beautiful transparent underpainting that I allow pieces of it to show through to the end. The end result is more texture and interest while still allowing the beauty of oils to be the overall look. Oil paint can be a tough medium when first learning to use it. If you started with acrylic, then the learning curve is greater as acrylic dries very fast and oils can take weeks.

Where is your practice now, what is your focus, where is it growing? 

Currently, my practice is in the growing phase of finding my style and process of achieving it. I love so many styles that I've jumped around a bit which has led to no defined style representing what "me" is all about. I've recently returned from a workshop in Italy prioritizing how to find your style. It was eye-opening. My focus is to hewn in on those things that define me and my style without the worry of selling which has been my driving point. I have learned that when you focus on selling before you know who you are and your goals, you are trying to create what you think others may like. I no longer believe you can guess this nor do I believe this is how you should create art. You have to create what you love.... Those that love what I love will show up when I'm there. Edges, values, colors and compositions are top of my list to succeed in refining my style. Creating art I love will ensure I stay focused and motivated for a long time to come. Growing into next year, I'd love to get into more galleries and participate in art fairs.

Upcoming events/sales/where can your work be purchased? 

My work can be purchased at the Art Hub or on my website BLUEIRISARTLLC.COM. I'm currently spending my time this year focusing on honing in on my style and currently have no plans for participating in art fairs. I'm always open to considering commissions, however. My email is blueirisartllc.com. If you are local, I'd love to share my inventory with you in-person.

How does being involved with a community art space like Art Hub impact your art practice/business or ability to celebrate and network amongst other artists? 

Being involved with a community art space like Art Hub impacts my art practice by giving me the opportunity to celebrate and network amongst other local artists. I've found creating art can be a lonely experience. You are by yourself in your studio with no one to bounce ideas, thoughts, etc. off of. Having a space like Art Hub where artists can gather and collaborate together fills that void. You are surrounded by like-minded people sharing their thoughts, ideas, failures and successes.