Tiny House Mobile Art Gallery & Studio

This week, I am sharing the story of how I came to be the new owner of a tiny house mobile art gallery and studio. It's a dream that I’ve had for many years that all began when I started to regularly watch Tiny House Nation on the FYI channel. I was captivated by the innovation and craftsmanship that went into creating a functional house in such a small space. One episode featured a couple that wanted to use their tiny house as a place to live and as a mobile store for the items that they made. I immediately thought about how awesome it would be to have a trailer dedicated to being an art gallery and teaching studio.

I started to research other businesses that had created mobile showrooms for inspiration and I came across the world of mobile fashion boutiques: converted enclosed trailers, step vans, and tiny houses used as mobile sales floors. Along the journey, I also considered transforming an enclosed trailer. I inquired with multiple custom trailer builders for quotes. I had even found a trailer in Illinois that was used as a Lularoe mobile store. I almost purchased it while we were in West Virginia on vacation. However, something told me it just wasn’t right and I cancelled the transaction.

This past Memorial Day, while I was searching hashtags for mobile businesses I somehow came across a sale post, for the trailer that I now own, on Instagram. I inquired about the trailer, that they had named "Tiny",  through private messaging. After a few messages, I found out the owners had changed their minds and decided not to sell their mobile store. At the time I was disappointed but also inspired! It was exactly what I had imagined having as my mobile art gallery and teaching studio. It fit the style of my artwork and the feel that I would want my customers to have when imagining my artwork in their own home.

While I was in Lancaster for the Art Biz Mastermind Workshop, we took time to plan out our goals for the next six months. Building or buying a tiny house trailer was on my list. At the time, I wasn't sure if it was obtainable. I spoke privately with Alyson Stanfield about my idea and she encouraged me to explore it more. At the same time, I used my Strategic Planning Guide from Creative Capital to write and think about making my goal a reality.

I began doing research on building my own tiny house art studio. I reached out to a trailer manufacturer that put me in touch with their regional builder, Tiny Foundations Northeast in Connecticut. Christopher was amazing to collaborate with and he even created a Sketch Up design of what I had in mind (If you're looking to build your own, I highly recommend Christopher). I decided before I ordered the trailer and shell that I needed to take more time to source the unique windows and doors that I wanted. I also had been thinking and designing for so long that I thought it would be best to take a break and set my idea aside for a while to really consider what I wanted.

As life often does, time marched on and I had put my idea on the back burner. One day, I decided that I was ready to think about a trailer again and all of the ways it could be utilized. That also happened to be the same day that the owners posted the tiny house trailer was back up for sale. I contacted Mandi on September 27th and on October 7th, they delivered her to NJ. I am still amazed at how it happened and we both believe it truly was meant to be.

Robert and Mandi custom built her all by hand, even the steel roof was hand bent from a local Ohio Amish business. They used locally harvested lumber, accents from their own barn, and the floors are beautiful, rough cut 1" thick walnut. They used the trailer to sell their handmade signs and home decor along with other unique items made by local artisans. They designed it to have plenty of wall space which is perfect for my use as a mobile art gallery. The trailer truly is one of a kind and I am so lucky to be her new owner! Be sure to come to my Holiday Open House on December 1 & 2 from 10AM - 5PM for the big reveal and experience her for yourself! Click here to get all of the details.

Me, Mandi, & Robert

I’d like to thank EVERYONE who has ever commissioned a painting, took a workshop or private art lesson, hosted a painting party, purchased a print, greeting card, or even a magnet. YOU made it possible for me to make this dream come true! And I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of my amazing husband. He is always encouraging me to reach higher and dream bigger. It has taken me a lot hustling and saving to make this dream come to reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your continued support!

If you are a business that would be interested in hosting me for future events, please email me kimberlydenglish@gmail.com

A Wild and Wonderful Weekend

This past weekend we spent a couple of days in the beautiful state of West Virginia to celebrate my birthday. We stayed at an AirBNB in Rio and made plans to visit a former co-worker of mine as well as ride the Potomac Eagle Scenic Railway Train. We had fun exploring the countryside on the winding roads and taking in the mountainous views. Below are some pictures of some inspiring scenes.

Mail Pouch Barn on Route 50

Barn in the center of Romney, WV

Potomac Eagle

View from Potomac Eagle

Eagle sighted during the train ride

Mail Pouch barn on Route 50

Berries on the side of the road

Painting Progression: Distant Vista on Shirley Road

When I was contemplating what to paint, I had just finished an intensely detailed commission, "One of a Kind", and wanted to paint a subject that was less structured. After looking through my reference pictures, I decided to call upon my photographer friend, Don Macavoy. He takes amazing photographs and happened to have a beautiful sunset of a local scene which he granted me permission to use.

I was attracted to the color shifts in the sky as well as the varying shades of blues in the foreground. The barn and silos' shilouttes against the vibrant sky depicts Salem County's magnificent, unobscured sunsets that regularly occur. I enjoy photographing and painting sunsets because I am always amazed at not only the range of colors but how quickly they can change! If you take the time to watch, in a matter of moments you can witness the dramatic display of the color spectrum as well as the glistening glow of the sun as it descends into the horizon. I hope this painting inspires others to pause and experience this beautiful phenomenon that happens everyday.

"Distant Vista on Shirley Road" - 11" x 14" - Acrylics on Gessobord by Kimberly English © 2017

Painting Progression Video

The Finished Live Event Painting

I delivered the finished work of art to Tyler and Taylor last week and wanted to share it with you! After completing about 90% of the painting at their wedding, I brought it back to my studio where I reworked the beams in the ceiling, went over all of the lettering to make them more opaque, and added additional details like shadows, flowers, and of the bride and groom. 

My favorite things to paint were Taylor's gorgeous dress and the beautiful lights that hung from the ceiling and behind the couple. While at the wedding, I purposefully created my composition to include as many of the lights as I could since they provided such a soft, romantic glow. To capture the lights and chandelier, I needed the barn ceiling to constitute most of the composition. I believe the triangles and angles created by the beams and wall create a visually solid design.

The most difficult part was working on the faces of the couple since they were smaller than the size of a dime! The wedding photographer, Dana Zarin, was a huge help in providing different reference pictures of the couple's profile. The photographs were very helpful in obtaining the information I needed in order to create their faces in as a few shapes and strokes as possible due to the limited size on the canvas.

This painting was such a wonderful experience. To be able to attend Tyler and Taylor's wedding and to paint the occasion while it was happening around me was nothing short of magical. I hope they enjoy just as much as I did creating it!

Below is the final painting and Taylor's review of the experience.

"Kim came to our venue (our farm) about two weeks before to meet us and scope out the space. My husband and I decided we wanted the ceremony painted, so she decided where she would set up for the ceremony.

On the day of our wedding, Kim showed up two hours before to set up and get started. It POURED on the day so we had to move the ceremony inside at the last minute. Kim was very flexible and accommodating which put us at ease during a very stressful time. She quickly changed her game plan to paint the ceremony inside in the barn, which turned out beautiful!

Kim stayed most of the reception and was able to interact with our guests. They enjoyed watching the process and transformation of the painting. Most had never heard of live wedding painting before and loved the entertainment it provided. We received so many compliments and they could not wait to see the final product!

After the wedding, Kim took the painting back to her studio to add some final details. She delivered the finished painting, framed and all, in a little over a week. We were so impressed with how it turned out! She captured the beauty and elegance of the ceremony while keeping the rustic feel of the barn.

We could not have asked for better experience. Kim’s professionalism, combined with her talent was a wedding experience we will always remember, and painting we will always cherish."

Wedding Signs

September was dedicated to creating commissioned wedding signs and other details. If you are interested in having a custom sign designed for your next event, click here for more information

The above photos were taken by Dana Zarin Studios, LLC

Painting Progression: Watson's Mill in Bloom

Below is the video of the painting progression of my acrylic painting: "Watson's Mill in Bloom" I hope you enjoy!

Painting Progression: "Onto The Next"

Below is the progression of my newest painting, "Onto the Next". I had started the painting over 6 years ago and never finished it. I had just finished "The Neighbors" and was trying to decide what painting I would start next. After looking through one of my studio drawers for reference material, I found this base painted canvas panel (The first image in the video) and decided it was a great time to finish it. I used a photograph I took at my husband's family farm during the spring of 2009. I loved painting all of the textures and the unexpected colors found within them. I hope you enjoy the video!

"Onto the Next" - Acrylics on Canvas Panel - 8" x 10" by Kimberly English © 2015

Wedding Signs

One of the best aspects about being an artist is having the ability to work on different types of projects. Recently, I painted signs for my cousin-in-laws', wedding (you may remember the signs I painted for Bobby and Annaliese's engagement photo shoot). Here are some pictures from their wedding featuring my hand painted signs courtesy of Walter E. Homan Photography. Enjoy!