Kelly Place Illustration & Design

04/12/2026

Some quick black cat canvases for my brother’s birthday. Took a minute to get reacquainted with working on a textured surface, but had a fun time using some fluorescents to contrast with Cicero and add some whimsy to his contorted sleeping positions 🐈‍⬛

02/25/2026

Slowly rebuilding my illustration muscles again amidst what is continuing to be a long, cold winter of slower indulgences like quilting, embroidery, and trying to knit one singular sock. Open for commissions again for the next few months until my energy turns toward our garden, especially the second season of our native plantings from

As always, working traditionally- Here with gouache and ink.

02/16/2026

Messing around in my sketchbook today and awaiting the green that is sure to peek through sometime this week. Right? Please? 🌱❄️

01/10/2026

01/06/2026

Finally finished this page in my sketchbook that was inspired by a patreon post of 💚 I have to say, working in this segmented composition style used to come so much more naturally to me in school, and I’ve kind of lost touch with using my sketchbook in this way. I actually love the freeform cataloging and brevity of the little entries (I am not a writer, and agonize over writing post captions). I won’t make any grand plans, but I will say that it’s a favorite page of mine now and I would like to do something similar sometime again 🙂

01/04/2026

Third year in a row following New Years alternative to a traditional resolution, which I much prefer. It’s fun looking at past lists and thinking back on the year and how I feel at the end of it. Happy 2026, dear followers 💛 Keep heart and don’t forget that offline life!

12/02/2025

Even though this quilt has been finished for several weeks now, I waited until I could properly photograph her in the snow. Proving to be very warm and snuggly indeed, I’m so grateful to for the this summer, and all the coziness I get to enjoy this winter because of it. 💛💛💛

11/14/2025

I made a shirt! To quote the end of my instruction pdf, “High Five, Baby!” This was really a skill-acquiring adventure, as I’ve never assembled a collar or a sleeve placket or really anything with a hang loop 😂 I now greatly admire pattern drafters and seamstresses who create custom garments- what a labor of love. Posting my fit check as requested 😉👌 Pattern by and fabric and buttons sourced at our local craft consignment !

07/31/2025

Wrapped up a lovely commission today- can’t wait to share!

07/11/2025

Half way done with a very generous project offered by this summer, learning a new quilt block design every week. I’ve had so much fun working through this sample quilt alongside my Mom, and I’m getting very excited to see it come together.

Asked on my personal page too, but should I send to a long arm company, or attempt to hand quilt? Kind of scared to admit I’m up to the challenge 🙃 tips welcome in about ten weeks. Which block is your favorite? (Posted from most recent to first)

04/22/2025

Liam created a color palette for me as a challenge for an illustration, and this is what I ended up with. I created a lot of collage papers to use, and tried working on top of a pastel background. Needless to say, I didn’t love it, despite really being excited about the sketch. But if I can’t share it on Earth Day, it’ll never reach the public eye 💚🌎 Get your toes in the grass and your hands in some dirt and teach a child to love and nurture this land that sustains us!