Kati Shovelain
@oliveartistrywork.bsky.social
Olive Artistry & Works
📍 MPLS, Minnesota
Interpreting bits of this world 🎨 Lover of botanicals, portraits, and figure arts.
'06 Perpich Visual Arts
... and just trying to get away from Meta ...
📍 MPLS, Minnesota
Interpreting bits of this world 🎨 Lover of botanicals, portraits, and figure arts.
'06 Perpich Visual Arts
... and just trying to get away from Meta ...
Current wip:
She started over the summer after a rejection. They say that you get used to being rejected, but for certain exhibits, for me and for the challenge, I'll put my heart into something that I really want in a specific show... so, that often sets me up for some heartbreak.
She started over the summer after a rejection. They say that you get used to being rejected, but for certain exhibits, for me and for the challenge, I'll put my heart into something that I really want in a specific show... so, that often sets me up for some heartbreak.
January 4, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Current wip:
She started over the summer after a rejection. They say that you get used to being rejected, but for certain exhibits, for me and for the challenge, I'll put my heart into something that I really want in a specific show... so, that often sets me up for some heartbreak.
She started over the summer after a rejection. They say that you get used to being rejected, but for certain exhibits, for me and for the challenge, I'll put my heart into something that I really want in a specific show... so, that often sets me up for some heartbreak.
I finished "Ephemeral" today. My style and technique have changed since I started her, things that I thought about changing but then it didn't feel right because I love her as is. This is probably my last painting of 2025.
December 30, 2025 at 1:26 AM
I finished "Ephemeral" today. My style and technique have changed since I started her, things that I thought about changing but then it didn't feel right because I love her as is. This is probably my last painting of 2025.
"Ephemeral" has undergone a few adjustments... still debating on how I feel about some of them. But the biggest thing- and one that I am not second-guessing- was adding the red yarn that is pulling her in 2 different directions:
Finishing touches are left.
Finishing touches are left.
December 23, 2025 at 2:34 AM
"Ephemeral" has undergone a few adjustments... still debating on how I feel about some of them. But the biggest thing- and one that I am not second-guessing- was adding the red yarn that is pulling her in 2 different directions:
Finishing touches are left.
Finishing touches are left.
There is nothing like an in-person life drawing session. I stare at a lot of photos and screens in my practice, and so I can't help but love the spontaneity/speed/energy from a live session -just waxing poetic here.
Costumed life drawing session 2 days ago:
Costumed life drawing session 2 days ago:
November 22, 2025 at 3:43 AM
There is nothing like an in-person life drawing session. I stare at a lot of photos and screens in my practice, and so I can't help but love the spontaneity/speed/energy from a live session -just waxing poetic here.
Costumed life drawing session 2 days ago:
Costumed life drawing session 2 days ago:
I think I finished that painting (basically) and am letting it sit to make sure I truly am done:
November 2, 2025 at 3:13 PM
I think I finished that painting (basically) and am letting it sit to make sure I truly am done:
Though there are many details left, the majority is finally done. I am relieved.
October 26, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Though there are many details left, the majority is finally done. I am relieved.
Update on the big wip:
October 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Update on the big wip:
I painted about 6 hours yesterday, and now that I started the ceiling, things are also starting to feel less daunting. I still see a ton of work but she is getting there.
September 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I painted about 6 hours yesterday, and now that I started the ceiling, things are also starting to feel less daunting. I still see a ton of work but she is getting there.
My latest wip priority:
I gave myself a deadline but it feels daunting with all I need to do yet so I am trying to accept that I might not make that deadline. :/
I gave myself a deadline but it feels daunting with all I need to do yet so I am trying to accept that I might not make that deadline. :/
September 15, 2025 at 11:20 AM
My latest wip priority:
I gave myself a deadline but it feels daunting with all I need to do yet so I am trying to accept that I might not make that deadline. :/
I gave myself a deadline but it feels daunting with all I need to do yet so I am trying to accept that I might not make that deadline. :/
Haven't had time to work on this painting since January. So while I am stuck, resting (broke my toe a few days ago), I decided to retake her on and started 3 under drawings for paintings (not yet showing) I have wanted to work on for a while now.
Making lemonade.
Making lemonade.
August 18, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Haven't had time to work on this painting since January. So while I am stuck, resting (broke my toe a few days ago), I decided to retake her on and started 3 under drawings for paintings (not yet showing) I have wanted to work on for a while now.
Making lemonade.
Making lemonade.
July 25, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I am absolutely wallowing/moping. Good thing I like to paint as my chosen therapy. That is why I now have a wip of Nasim in my studio.
Kinda digging the character of it but the proportions may drive me crazy later.
Kinda digging the character of it but the proportions may drive me crazy later.
July 24, 2025 at 5:39 AM
I am absolutely wallowing/moping. Good thing I like to paint as my chosen therapy. That is why I now have a wip of Nasim in my studio.
Kinda digging the character of it but the proportions may drive me crazy later.
Kinda digging the character of it but the proportions may drive me crazy later.
Pretty happy with that sheet of cloth background! I still have a bit to do to clean things up, but I see the finish line, and there is something reassuing about that. 💙
#paintingwip
#paintingwip
July 3, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Pretty happy with that sheet of cloth background! I still have a bit to do to clean things up, but I see the finish line, and there is something reassuing about that. 💙
#paintingwip
#paintingwip
How she is going:
Starting to take on the fabric, contemplating the different parts of the painting, and how I might merge it all together:
#figurepainting #magicalrealism
Starting to take on the fabric, contemplating the different parts of the painting, and how I might merge it all together:
#figurepainting #magicalrealism
July 2, 2025 at 9:13 PM
How she is going:
Starting to take on the fabric, contemplating the different parts of the painting, and how I might merge it all together:
#figurepainting #magicalrealism
Starting to take on the fabric, contemplating the different parts of the painting, and how I might merge it all together:
#figurepainting #magicalrealism
June 23, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Really enjoying using a slow drying acrylic for this underpainting; though, it is making me wonder about how much extra time I need to add before I go in with oils...?
#wip #experimentinart #unfamiliarmedia
#wip #experimentinart #unfamiliarmedia
May 30, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Really enjoying using a slow drying acrylic for this underpainting; though, it is making me wonder about how much extra time I need to add before I go in with oils...?
#wip #experimentinart #unfamiliarmedia
#wip #experimentinart #unfamiliarmedia
And decided to pick this oil painting back up today, too:
May 22, 2025 at 6:33 PM
And decided to pick this oil painting back up today, too:
Recently started an acrylic underpainting of one wip:
May 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Recently started an acrylic underpainting of one wip:
May 21, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Able to share this memorial commission of the most beautiful boy. I dropped everything to paint him when my friend's daughter asked if it could be ready in time for Mother's Day. (And then they couldn't wait 5 more days once I varnished, and he was picked up.) ❤️💔
May 7, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Able to share this memorial commission of the most beautiful boy. I dropped everything to paint him when my friend's daughter asked if it could be ready in time for Mother's Day. (And then they couldn't wait 5 more days once I varnished, and he was picked up.) ❤️💔
I fully expect to have absolutely no time for this piece, but I have waited over a year to use this reference and gave in to starting it today. Part of the problem... I only have half the painting decided on. Add to the background? Abstract the negative space? Leave the negative space? Add florals?🤷♀️
May 1, 2025 at 8:25 PM
I fully expect to have absolutely no time for this piece, but I have waited over a year to use this reference and gave in to starting it today. Part of the problem... I only have half the painting decided on. Add to the background? Abstract the negative space? Leave the negative space? Add florals?🤷♀️
Working on these delicate little flowers (amongst reorganizing my home studio) on this rainy Thursday:
#oilpainting #wip #oilpaintingwip #portraitpainting
#oilpainting #wip #oilpaintingwip #portraitpainting
April 24, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Working on these delicate little flowers (amongst reorganizing my home studio) on this rainy Thursday:
#oilpainting #wip #oilpaintingwip #portraitpainting
#oilpainting #wip #oilpaintingwip #portraitpainting
There is something freeing about painting something with the sole purpose of giving it to another.
#Wip update:
#Oilpainting #oilportrait
#Wip update:
#Oilpainting #oilportrait
April 18, 2025 at 7:40 PM
There is something freeing about painting something with the sole purpose of giving it to another.
#Wip update:
#Oilpainting #oilportrait
#Wip update:
#Oilpainting #oilportrait
Hmmm.
She got angelic. Not exactly sure how that happened or why, just that it made sense at the time. So now I am trying to decide if she is done or not:
#isitstillawip #angelicart #oilpainting
She got angelic. Not exactly sure how that happened or why, just that it made sense at the time. So now I am trying to decide if she is done or not:
#isitstillawip #angelicart #oilpainting
April 10, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Hmmm.
She got angelic. Not exactly sure how that happened or why, just that it made sense at the time. So now I am trying to decide if she is done or not:
#isitstillawip #angelicart #oilpainting
She got angelic. Not exactly sure how that happened or why, just that it made sense at the time. So now I am trying to decide if she is done or not:
#isitstillawip #angelicart #oilpainting
Working on that likeness. Not perfect, but I kind of love where she is, so I don't really want to mess with her face anymore if I can help it...
April 9, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Working on that likeness. Not perfect, but I kind of love where she is, so I don't really want to mess with her face anymore if I can help it...