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I’ve been down on myself lately The first 5 or so months of the year have been packed full of custom commissions and really cool work projects and the Merrie Monarch market and things like that on top of my already pretty full schedule of a full time stay at home mom and wife. And I was riding a high. But I started to feel like I was getting burnt out. I was staying up late regularly and waking up early but my schedule was never the same. So when the summer lull came which I knew it would, I welcomed it. I started lists of things I wanted to get done because I knew this was the time. Then something switched as July turned to August a few things happened happened or I tried to get to happen but they all ended in a flop, more accurately the rejection that everyone talks about. The customer not happy with the quote. The fellowship and the market application coming back saying “sorry..” it was just a lot on top of quite a few personal things I was already going through. But I started to feel imposture syndrome and doubt myself. I really struggled and honestly am still struggling to some degree knowing my worth and mostly trusting myself. So as I was trying to fight burnout I ended up feeling even less motivated. I tried to fight it and push through. But ultimately this past week or so I felt like a failure. I could have painted more. I could have pushed myself through. But ultimately I pushed enough while mostly giving myself a much needed break. I have to know that and believe it. I needed that time. There are a few things that helped me through this time I’d love to share them! Spend time with God Spend time with myself Spend time with my loved ones Paint small scale, one subject kind of paintings.. not the big image paintings Ugly sketch Paint for myself not to sell Get some sleep Eat some healthy nourishing food Hang out with friends (or strangers if lacking time with friends) Keep a running list of accomplishments, positive reviews, small comments that meant the world. Dig deeper into my “why” Decide if I need to pivot my business or my approach, my marketing, or my products. Are there opportunities I haven’t thought of? Collabs? Give yourself grace and rest. Believe things will pick back up. Not only did these things help me through this time I am believing if I do these things as a regular habit it will prevent me from feeling so low especially when things slow down or rejection from a client or whomever appears. If you are reading this and feeling the way I felt. I am sending you a big hug and reminder that you are incredible! Starting your own business or putting yourself out there in any way that makes you feel uncomfortable is not for the faint of heart. This path has its struggles and challenges like any path. You are not alone in it! Even if you feel like you are. These feelings are so normal for artists and or business owners. You are a beautiful and brave soul for sharing yourself with us! Thank you

Masking glue is a really great tool for watercolor artists! Not every artist uses it. I don't use it for every painting. But it is a valuable technique that can really elevate your art pieces. If you are not familiar with masking glue at all it comes in a sticky liquid form in a glass bottle that you can buy from your favorite art supply store or Amazon if they don't have it or if it's easier for you. To make this post the easiest for you to read and go straight to the point I will list in bullet points some how tos and how NOT tos and a bonus WHEN or WHY to use it. When and why to use making glue: Watercolor is light to dark when painting. Which means if you go dark you cannot lighten it back up. In fact most watercolor artists do not use white paint. Instead they use the white of the paper. • So masking glue can help keep that white part of the paper protected and stay untouched by paint. • Masking glue can be used beyond just covering white of the paper it can also add depth to a painting by helping you to add layer over lighter colors. I have used this in backgroun greenery and absolutely loved the affect. How to use masking glue : • Mix by stirring before use, don't shake! This causes too much bubbles that can affect the actual amount coming on your paper. • pro tip: Use a ruling pen to get the masking glue on your paper. •if you don't have a ruling pen and rather use something you might have at home.. you can designate a paint brush (that will completely get ruined) for this purpose or a chop stick or something the like, all depending on the are you are trying to cover. • let it dry completely before painting over (depending on how much masking glue you use this could be as fast as 5 minuets or it could be much longer, but very important to just make sure it's fully dry! • When attempting to remove masking glue use a eraser or a specific tool for removing masking glue, or use your finger in rubbing form.. as satisfying as it may be and as hard as it is to resist don't pull masking glue up off the paper this could cause ripping (if you feel you must do so at an angle gently) • Have fun with the new possibilities! How NOT to use Masking glue: • don't let your painting with masking glue sit in any kind of sun. (I once thoughtlessly was trying to get a coat of paint over the masking glue to dry faster by doing this, let me tell you it was a terrible mistake! The masking glue got so embedded into the paper fibers I couldn't get it out without ripping the paper :( • *repeat Info because so important When attempting to remove masking glue use a eraser or a specific tool for removing masking glue, or use your finger in rubbing form.. as satisfying as it may be and as hard as it is to resist don't pull masking glue up off the paper this could cause ripping (if you feel you must do so at an angle gently) • Dont attempt to remove or paint over masking glue while still wet. • be careful to not let whatever you are using as the masking tool to scratch the paint your paper. Be gentle and patient I hope this helps! It is really a great technique to learn that can open up more possibilities in your watercolor paintings! If you find this useful and end up using masking glue Iʻd love to hear about your experiences! Happy painting!

AND WHY ITS IMPORTANT! I have believed that as an artist I can let my art speak for me. It’s like a wonderful sentiment for my introverted private personality. However I have found this isn’t the best practice. Yes we absolutely what our art to speak to people as individuals and in their own way but I found that when you pair your story about your art it reaches more people and more people can relate or identify with that story than if you just put your art out into the void. Artists are storytellers. And we have the amazing opportunity to tell those stories so we should tell them the best way we can. But also very practically if we communicate the story behind the art than it has a better chance of reaching the people who would identify with it because the way search engines work is by using keywords not identifying images or what is in an image. So because a lot of us artists are using social media or our own website or blogs or Pinterest or what have you, we need to talk about it not just post the photo. However even if we are only using in person methods to share our art, talking about our art is so valuable. It’s valuable to the listener because people long for connection but also it is valuable to us because it helps us express ourselves and form words around what we were trying to communicate through our art. This can help us be more insightful and understanding of our own work. It can be hard to talk about our art or share the story of it. I have found that journaling privately first hand really helps. Another way is to talk about it with friends and family. I have found people actually do want to hear about your art! You just gotta find the people in your life and in your circle who are already interested. Then you start sharing on things like social media, your website and to strangers who ask you about your career instead of sheepishly ducking the question. That can’t be just me who feels off saying “I’m an artist” ! Is it? Well either way I think it is really good to start wearing that title with pride. The more we can get comfortable with talking to people about what we do the more we can connect naturally with people and the more we can allow ourselves to connect deeper to our art and take risks and find our voice and style in art.

Portfolio of works

Original artwork, fine art giclee art prints, custom commissions, watercolor house portraits, greeting cards, stickers, Hawaii artist, Kalei Meyer Shop cards and more Shop Prints Shop Originals Custom Artworks

GET TO KNOW THE ARTIST MORE OVER AT THE BLOG (: BLOG Kaleilehua Meyer is the artist for Kaleilehua Designs . She is an emerging artist located on Big Island Hawaiʻi. She has had her artwork exhibited at Wailoa Art Center for the Hawaiʻi Nei Art Exhibit, collaborated with local businesses, created a design for Surf Shack Puzzles to create a Keiki puzzle, she has also been a featured artist with art installed at the popular Ola Brew Hilo. Kaleilehua Designs art is for sale at several local stores including, Hana Hou Hilo and Locavore. Kalei wishes to cultivate love for Hawaiʻi and for ʻĀina with her art. Hi there! I am a wife, a mom, a daughter, sister and friend. I am born and raised on the Big Island of Hawai'i, went to Oahu for college at the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa. I graduated, got married then after a few years living and working on Oahu I moved back to Big Island. ​ I am passionate about God, my family, Hawai'i, nature, art, learning and people. I love hiking, exploring, going to the beach, traveling, writing, creating, drinking coffee and both going on adventures and just staying at home. ​ Creating art feels like finding a good friend you have been looking for. ​ I have been an artist and creative for as long as I can remember. I always wanted to be an artist as a career but didn't believe it was possible for me. I started this journey with the help of my dad. When he passed away I desperately wanted to think of him, grieve him and remember him. So I started painting a collection of artworks from memories I have of him (Papanui Collection). In the process of this I started to remember how brave and bold he was. It ignited in me a desire to be brave and bold and try new things. And in that it encouraged me to stop running from my life long dream of being an artist. So here we are! ​ ​