Today I am excited to introduce you to an amazing artist, Chris Kepler and his protege son Carter. Chris and I used to work together and I have always admired (LOVED) his work. Recently I saw a particular picture on Chris Kepler’s instagram that I really wanted for my house. I contacted Chris and he was sweet enough to allow me to offer it as a FREE DOWNLOAD here on my site. So thrilled! I figured if I love it, you will love it as well. {Download available at the bottom of this post}. On his website Chris Kepler Art you can find digital prints on wood, prints on canvas, tshirts and much more!! Here is a little background on my buddy Chris…..
Chris Kepler was born in 1969 in Kansas City Kansas. He moved to California when he was 5 years old and grew up in Southern California. Being influenced by his musical and artistic family he started drawing at an early age and playing the sax. Later on, skateboarding and listening to punk started to really influence the style of Kepler’s art.
Chris is not the only artist in his house……. his son Carter is only 7 years old and already EXTREMELY talented. Here is a little more about Carter…..
CARTER, BORN IN 2006 IS THE SON OF CHRIS KEPLER. HE’S BEEN PAINTING SINCE HE WAS 3 YEARS OLD. HE’S BEEN FOCUSING ON DRAWING TEE SHIRT DESIGNS FOR KIDS. HE PAINTS AND IS STARTING TO SCULPT AS WELL. CARTER HAS BEEN IN A COUPLE ART SHOWS WITH HIS DAD TOO. HE GOT INTO HIS FIRST JURIED SHOW AT THE END OF 2013. HE HOPES YOU LIKE HIS ART AND HOPES TO BE A PROFESSIONAL ARTIST WHEN HE’S OLDER.
Here are some t-shirts designed by Carter….. he has an entire line available for purchase on Chris Kepler Art website in both youth and adult sizes. Check them out!
I asked Chris a few questions about his work, his inspiration and his plans for the future…
What is your favorite medium(s) to use and why?
My favorite medium is acrylic paint. The reason being is it dries fast. I’m a little impatient when it comes to seeing the end result. So oil paints don’t jive with me because of that fact. Though I do love the intensity and the ability to go back and rework it if you need to. I also like working with wood and pen and ink.
How do you come up with an idea for a new piece, what inspires you?
My inspiration comes from everything we’re inundated with everyday ,however I tend to hold back on producing art that’s too dark or cynical though. Not too many people get into that. So I draw and paint happier images. The world can be depressing enough. I grew up copying cartoon characters as most kids do. So I have always been drawn to character drawing. I”m also into drawing old people from black and white photos.
What are your long term plans and goals for your art? Anything in the works?
I’ve been doing some freelance work creating designs for a couple local San Diego companies recently. And I gearing up for a little art show at the end of June 2014 at Fowlers Boutique in Cardiff California. I’m also starting to put my own designs on tees and making prints of my work on both wood and paper. I’m using a digital printer that uses water based ink. So it’s earth friendly.
Any advice or tips for other artists out there?
My advice to other artists is do what you love. Experiment with all mediums. And get out there and see the world. And network. All things that I’m doing and still need to do. You never stop learning. And have fun.
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Alright soooooo not only is Chris’s artwork amazing, it is also affordable. The pineapple guppy fish that Chris is offering as a free 5×7 download is also available for $60 for a print on WOOD as well as $30 for print on canvas. The wood prints are limited runs of 20, numbered and hand signed.
Chris just recently designed a line of t-shirts based on his artwork which I think are amazing! Again, super affordable. His shirts are $24.95…. such a good deal for these shirts since they are printed on high quality super SOFT tees…. you know the kind I am talking about. The ones men actually want to wear. NOT like the ones that fit like a tent and feel like paper. Yeah… awesome shirts for under $25.
Best part……. the FREE DOWNLOAD! Click below link and do not “scale to fit” when printing, this will shrink the size down which you do not want.
Pineapple Guppy Fish Chris Kepler Art 5X7
Here is a picture of my guppy fish….. downloaded, printed and framed 🙂 I LOVE IT. Oh and what do you think of my pipe shelf? This shelf was actually inspired by Chris, I copied work he had done at our job (he built an entire showroom for accessories out of pipes and wood, and I stole his ideas for my house 🙂
Chris also sent me this amazing canvas print Graceful Approach. I decided to make my own frame for it… I cut a 5×7 frame into 2 pieces and mounted each corner to the wall using mounting tape. Sadly my spray painted bubbled, boooo but I am rocking it on my wall until I have time to sand down the bubbles and re spray. Isn’t this print killer?!
Hope you enjoyed this post! Please make sure to stop by http://www.chriskeplerart.com/ and check out Chris and Carter’s awesome work. Follow him on instagram to see his latest projects.
LOOOVE these! And i actually like the paint bubbles…it works with the print 🙂 thanks for sharing these!
Awwww thanks Amy! Don’t you love the fish?! Chris is amazing
Love all this artwork! Wow … Makes me wish I had some artistic abilities!! What a fun post to read! Thanks for sharing Chris’s talent, Sonnet!!
Katie recently posted…May Day Boot
Me too Katie, I have always wanted to learn how to paint
I love his style. What a creative household they have.
Carmody recently posted…Nautical Inspired Necklace Holder
I agree Carmody!
Wow all these look amazing, I especially love the whale with the read and white striped shirt. That one really catches my attention. What a creative person.
Courtney @ Crafts by Courtney recently posted…DIY Easter Family Portrait Inspiration
I love that one too Courtney 🙂