How do I commission a work?

Simply email me at kelliemarianhill@yahoo.com . We'll start a dialog, try to figure out what you have in mind and what will work best- the subject, of course, the size of the finished piece, the dominant colors, what references I'll be working from, what it is you like about my work so that I can accent that aspect of it...

How do you price commissions?

According to the size and complexity of the finished work. For instance, an 11"x14" portrait of one person might be $200, but with two people it would be $300.

What is your usual working method?

I usually work from a combination of life and photographs, beginning with rough drawings in my sketchbook and moving to hardboard panel or stretched canvas for the final piece. In the actual painting process I do a lot of drawing with graphite, charcoal, and white pastel as well as a lot of glazing and more traditional painting in acrylics.

How do you choose subjects for your paintings?

The original idea generally finds me- flowers at the farmer's market or Duke Gardens, a cup of tea sitting on the table, a few marbles abandoned on a sidewalk. I have been known to pull over on the side of the road to take photographs of clouds, and it's not uncommon for me to get out my sketchbook in a resturant or at a concert. At home I develop the idea further, getting props if necessary, taking the elements that originally struck me and arranging them in a natural, pleasing way.

Do you have any advice for aspiring artists?

Practice, practice, practice! No matter how naturally talented someone is at something, I don't believe anyone has ever become great without a lot of hard work. On the upside, putting a lot of hard work into something you're passionate about, like art, can be a true joy, not burdensome at all. After practicing, I'd say the most important thing is to develop a critical eye, either through books and studying or through association with other artists, so that you will always be improving.