Art is important. Art matters. And yet, so often, art seems expensive and out of reach. We go to Art Hops, or art fairs, or find that little pottery place on our travels, and buy what we can to bring color and life and art to our homes. We rent art from the local university for a term or more, head to the annual sales at the art insitute. We devour art at museums, stare at that van Gogh, tears fall upon seeing that Bierstadt you've loved your whole life, chuckle at the poker dogs, teach our kids to love art as much as we do. 

Here at Wandering Educators, we believe that art - and artists - are important. Since we started, in 2007, we've shared an artist of the month and a photographer of the month - EVERY month. We've written extensively about how to teach your kids to love art and art museums. 

But now, we've got something very special planned - something completely unique in the art world (and in the world!).

Announcing...

Experiences: An Online Gallery Show of Small Paintings

What is it? 

It's the first of its kind: an online gallery show of affordable paintings from real artists. Our art editors, Kim Rodeffer Funk and Andrea Hupke de Palacio, have put together an exhibit of small pieces, with the goal of bringing art into our readers' homes. 

How will it work? 

Look at these gorgeous paintings from Kim and Andrea, working singly and together. Find one you like. Email them to make sure it is available. Purchase the art that calls to you. Wait eagerly by the mailbox until your work of art comes. Hang with pride of place in your home, where you can look at it, feel joy, and hug that art to your soul.

Photo: Raphaële Tolron

Kim and Andrea note:

As painters, we are always searching and always exploring new ideas and methods. It is no secret we see the world in a whole new way and this series is all about exploring ideas and methods for our art making. The series is ongoing and relates to our large fine art pieces in as much as it is the initial response to an experience, feeling or question we might have. As artists who work together on paintings, as The Third Artist, as well as responding with our own individual work, we have created this series specifically to provide affordable fine art to those who might not otherwise consider higher priced fine art purchases. We hope you will enjoy this introduction to this new series presented by Wandering Educators and Atelier 325.

If you find a painting which intrigues you, please email us at atelier325.kimandy[at]gmail.com and we will let you know how you might purchase the painting in question. Additionally, please note all of our paintings are for sale at all times. If you see something which interests you, we probably have other paintings to show you in a different price range or we can talk about something specific. We always want to be able to talk about art. Email Andrea at cestandrea[at]gmail.com  and Kim at kimrodefferfunk[at]gmail.com. We hope you find something you like.

The price for the paintings does not include cost for shipping and handling. If you would like to purchase a painting, please contact us at (emails) and we will calculate the total amount and send you an invoice via Paypal.

 

Kim and Andrea, working together. Photo: Raphaële Tolron

 

Kim Rodeffer Funk

Kim Rodeffer Funk is an American artist currently living and working in Houston, TX and Missoula, MT. She has lived in many places in the United States as well as England. Her background is in interior design; however, her need for greater creative freedom led her to an exploration in fine arts. She fell in love with painting and explored all that involves for many years. She has worked in creative fields all her life. Kim's paintings are in private collections in the United States, Europe, and New Zealand.

www.kimrodefferfunk.net

A Break In the Fog
Oil on 6x6 in (15x15 cm) Hardboard

On a foggy morning, looking across the sea, there was a break where touches of gold glinted through.  It reminded me life can be like that with amazing breaks of gold.

$60 €53

The Mermaid’s Swim
Acrylic, Oil, Pencil and Cold Wax on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper

The mermaid swims in a sea of gold, but she always has her eyes trained on the distant shore.  She longs for a different adventure.  Then again, I know this because my eyes are often looking out to sea.  What adventure do you seek?

$240 €211

No Judgement
Acrylic, Oil, Pencil and Cold Wax on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper

Freedom without judgement is hard to come by in this world. It stresses us and makes us ill. The goal is to find a nonjudgmental place and feel the freedom on a regular basis.  I not only felt this painting this piece, I also wanted you to feel it.

$240 €211

The Journey
Acrylic, Oil Pastel and Cold Wax on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper

I often long for a journey. Sometimes it is real travel and sometimes it is a process journey. Either way, I weave and wobble along the path, go in circles and explore a lot. With every journey, there are wonderful lessons learned. What is your journey?

$240 €211

The Path We Choose
Acrylic, Oil, Soft Pastel, Cold Wax on 8x8 in (20x20 cm) Khadi Paper

This is the personal expression of a chosen life path made visual. It is one of many possibilities. Does your path look similar or would another visual be better? What is the path you choose?

$105 €92

Why Not?
Acrylic, Oil, Rice Paper and Pencil on 10x12 in (25x30 cm) Moulin de Larroque Paper

Often we ask why and maybe we should  ask “why not?” more often.  I understand this as about listening to our own intuition.  Sometimes, there is just no good reason not to do something.

$200 €176

It’s About The Story
Acrylic, oil, rice paper, cold wax on 6x8.25 in (15x21 cm) Moulin de Larroque Paper

We all are creating our own stories.  This is a short story made visual.  It so happened I painted it straddling a move and these are the story bits which became a part of the process.  The story ends with imagining the next part of my visual story.  What does your visual story share?

$85 €75

The Golden Moment
Acrylic, oil, soft pastel, cold wax on 6x6 in (15x15 cm) cradled hardboard

A moment in time when we know we have had something touch us to our core.  It is usually fleeting, but so powerful.  There is nothing tangible and there is nothing to share with someone else, but the power of that moment can be remembered as a treasure like no other.  What are your golden moments?

$75 €66

Autumn’s Golden Light
Acrylic, oil, soft pastel, cold wax on 6x6 in (15x15 cm) cradled hardboard

Some say Autumn is a time when we are coming to the end.  I don’t see it that way.  Autumn is a time of preparation, a time of contemplation, a time of colorful joy.  Autumn is really a time of personal growth, if you allow it.   Let Autumn’s golden light wash over you with joy.

$75 €66

Introvert’s Bliss
Acrylic, oil, soft pastel, cold wax on 7x5 in  (18x23 cm) hardboard 

In my mind, she sits cozily by the fire on a crisp autumn evening reading a book she has longed to explore. The scorching summer sun behind her and the cold winter snows ahead of her. She feels surrounded by heaven.

$58 €51

 

Andrea Hupke de Palacio

Andrea Hupke de Palacio is a European artist living in Paris, France. She has lived in France for many years after moving there from her native Germany. Andrea's background is in language translation and textile design. She has been an artist all her life after being encouraged to follow her creative endeavors since childhood. Andrea is in love with pushing the boundaries of painting and peruses her art full-time. She is fluent in German, French, English and Spanish. Andrea's art is in private collections throughout Europe and the United States.

www.andreahupkedepalacio.com 

Dream-Deer
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Zyklop
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Ballgame
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Halloweeny
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28

Oups !!
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Pomponnez-vous
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Machine
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Frau Nase
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28 

Lamp Lighter
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28

Chef d'Orchestre
Acrylic 5,9 x 8,3 in (15 x 21 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Chance Encounters"

$32 €28

Looking back
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Looking back...has it been a good life so far?

$17 €16 

Hovering Ideas
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Some ideas are hovering, but they may be too attached to reality

$17 €16 

Take a hot bath with a gentle dragon
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

To me, this looks like a gentle dragon taking a bubble bath

$17 €16  

Stalker
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Sometimes we are stalking our inspirations

$17 €16 

Flowing 
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Watching the ink flow is like meditation

$17 €16

So Fluffy
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

So Fluffy is how I often feel on Mondays 

$17 €16

Think!
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Thinking before acting, sometimes I have trouble with it.

$17 €16

Dragging Something
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Sometimes we feel as if we were dragging along all our experiences.

$17 €16

Slow Progress
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

Slow Progress can be the best

$17 €16 

​Surprised?
Acrylic 6x6 in (15 x 11 cm) handmade Khadi Paper
Series "Encounters"

How do you look when someone surprises you?

$17 €16

Atelier 325 / "The Third Artist" - Four Hands Paintings

In 2012, we formed Atelier 325 so we could work and show our art cooperatively. However, it has rapidly grown into so much more, as it has become a driving force in our lives as artists. Although we live continents apart, we have developed methods for painting together - literally four hands working together on one piece of art. We have shown our individual art together and shown with other international artists in painting and photography. Our goal is to expand this to other art forms, as well.

We developed this technique together, quite spontaneously, when we were working at our Paris area studio during the same period one summer and were so pleased with the results, we knew we needed to continue on some level. 

Because we felt a third artist is present, we call these The Third Artist paintings.

Andrea's interest in music and Kim's interest in writing has become a part of the cooperative persona of Atelier 325. We believe art has a right to be shared and has a right to be spread and respected across genres. To show paintings alongside photography and music only enhances all of the art forms. Visual art used in film and other performance work only makes all of the works better. Using all art forms to bring together cultures and to reflect various cultures only serves to narrow the gap between the people of the world. 

When artists put their heart and soul into their work and use it to make lives better in some way, it makes art nothing but a positive influence in the world. Art does not have to be confined to some esoteric bubble; we believe our work is of great value to our world.

As artists and as members of the society of humans, we hope we can make a difference in the lives of those creating art as well as those viewing art.

www.atelier325.com

Preciousness
Acrylic on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Tempest
Acrylic, Egg tempera, Cold Wax on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper
"Lucky Charms" Series

$200 €176

Roots
Acrylic, Egg tempera, Cold Wax on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper

$200 €176

Heart
Acrylic on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Faith
Acrylic Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Curiosity
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Harmony
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Balance
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Warmth and Security
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Poise
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Wisdom
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Providence
Acrylic, Ink on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm) 
"Lucky Charms" Series

$60 €54

Ascension
Acrylic, Egg tempera, Cold Wax on 15 x 11 in on unstretched canvas

$250 €275

Looking At All Sides
Ink, Acrylic on 12x12 in (30x30 cm) Khadi Paper

When we work collaboratively we each see the task in a different way.  This piece explores the importance of turning ideas and projects upside-down and inside-out to obtain something workable and unique. Always explore the possibilities of your tasks and act on the good ones.

$200 €176

The Paths We Take
Acrylic, Ink, Cold Wax on Paper 12x12 inches (30x30 cm)

Life takes along many paths, some are jagged and rough while others are smooth and gentle.  This is a reminder to accept both paths and learn from each of them as they remind us we are alive.  Navigate each path in your own way, slog along, skip, run, swim, soar, go in circles, but whatever you choose keep moving. 

$60 €54

 

 

 

 

Excited? We are, too. I'm so proud to bring this great talent to an online audience.

 

Read our Artist of the Month features on Kim and Andrea:

Artist of the Month: Kim Rodeffer Funk

Artist of the Month: Andrea Hupke de Palacio

 

 

 

 

All photos courtesy and copyright Kim Rodeffer Funk and Andrea Hupke de Palacio, except where noted