,

My Favorite Art for Every Budget this Holiday Gift-Giving Season

,

This season, with all the wild things currently happening globally, I’m doubling down now more than ever on supporting small businesses and, as an artist myself, specifically - supporting local and national artists whose work aligns and resonates with my own personal ethos.

I’ll be sharing more on my Substack starting next year about the journey I’ve been on over the past few years and why I’ve been really quiet here on the blog as well as most of the digital spaces you’d like grown used to seeing me show up in. Today — I am excited to share the work and mission of some artists and businesses that will deliver joy through not only their unique beauty, but also the purpose behind them.

When I Close My Eyes | Mohamed Abdulrahman for Rhythm & Hues | Fine Art Gicleé print

Rhythm enters the art and design scene and breaks the status quo by offering limited collections of fine, gicleé art prints from artists across the globe. The beauty of Rhythm, unlike most art brands, is that you get to experience the art through the eyes of the artist and know that with each and every purchase that artist is receiving 50% or every sale.

They’re currently running a sale for an extra 15% off prints. I’m pretty obsessed with this brand and plan to add a few pieces to my own collection before the current collection is sold out.

If you follow me on Pinterest, you know I love some good visual inspiration.

You can follow Rhythm on Pinterest here as well as Instagram here.

SHOP Rhythm’s limited collection here.

Jesse Owens-Young

Put Them Grays on the Cover | 2025, Jesse Owens-Young | Acrylic, wax pastel and oil

Jess Owens-Young is a self-taught multidisciplinary artist whose work explores the rich and varied experiences of Black individuals in America. After taking an art class at her local community center, Owens-Young discovered a new passion and has since cultivated her craft. She creates art that emphasizes the resilience and joy of Black people, as well as the essence of Black childhood.

Working primarily with acrylics, oil pastels, oil pigment sticks, and acrylic inks on canvas, Jess produces vibrant pieces that include portraiture, figurative painting, and collage. Her art is distinguished by recurring symbols that add depth and personal meaning. For instance, the happy face hat represents the projection and maintenance of happiness, while the glasses seen on her notable figures reflect her perspective on the perception of Black narratives and bodies. The colorful flowers in her works highlight the restorative connection Black people have with agriculture through flowers and gardens.

Owens-Young draws inspiration from a diverse array of artists, including William H. Johnson, Elizabeth Catlett, Emory Douglas, Delta Martin, Henry Taylor, Deborah Roberts, and Alice Neel. Her artistic vision is also shaped by literary influences such as Octavia Butler and Toni Morrison.

You can find Jesse on Instagram here and shop her prints here. Original artwork can be found here.

Rodney H. King | Acrylic & Permanent Marker

Rodney H. King is the founder of Kingspen LLC and a rising voice in the Pacific Northwest art scene. His work has been featured on KOMO, PBS, Converge Media, KING 5 Evening, and more. A devoted husband, father of three, and man of deep faith, King uses art as a tool for healing, storytelling, and cultural affirmation.

Rodney is a Seattle artist whose work has been featured in publications across the region. I’ve had the pleasure and honor of working in proximity with Rodney over the years and not only is he just the most kind human, he is someone who is dedicated to ensuring our stories live - as shown in the vibrant, detailed works above. I don’t yet own one of his pieces but it’s only a matter of time before I add his work to my collection.

You can find Rodney on Instagram here and shop current art here.

Yvonne McCoy | Collage Art | 2025

Confession - like most (?) of us, I have quite a few hyper-fixations. Right now, one of those is collage art. I’ve been taking some time to create my own privately (and, also shared a few publicly) but I love seeing how other artists express themselves through this form.

Yvonne McCoy is a multidisciplinary art director and designer guided by collage as both method and mindset. Her work moves between visual identity, editorial, and spatial design, blending art direction, narrative, and material into a single emotional language.

Rooted in the belief that design can be a form of storytelling, McCoy uses collage to build visual worlds that honor memory, intuition, and feeling. Each project becomes a composition of work, play, and cultural survival.....a return to feeling through the art of direction.

The bottom line is, Yvonne is amongst a sacred list of collage artists whose work I have become enamored by. (Hello, Jesse) I don’t think it will take you long to become engrossed either.

You can follow Yvonne on Instagram here and find ways to purchase and support her work there as well.

Safiuchi

Safiuci | Dreamscape | Raw Canvas, Acrylic, Charcoal

Safiuchi is a multi-talented individual renowned for her abstract expressionist paintings. Her distinctive style features layered thick brushstrokes and bold colors, often incorporating black and white, with subtle shapes, figures and faces sometimes discernible. A consistent element in her work is a lowercase “i,” symbolizing the self in one’s journey, encapsulated in her empowering slogan, “i live.” Safiuchi’s art is deeply connected to her personal experiences. Serving as a powerful medium for healing and raising awareness about important social issues within humanity and multicultural communities.

I recently met Safiuci here in Seattle at a local art event in support of Black Farmers Collective and was instantly drawn to her use of color, media and story through line and emotion. I am excited to see her continue to grow and support her work along the way.

You can find more of Safiuci’s work here as well as ways to purchase. You can also find Safiuci hosting the Beyond the Canvas podcast here.

There are so many artists I’m eager to highlight, and I hope to share more in the coming months. I truly believe #artistswillsavetheworld, and this feature is only the beginning of where that mantra is headed.

Until then, sound off in the comments with artists who are helping you see the world through a new, fresh lens and let us know where and how we can support them.

YOU CAN STILL FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL HERE


IN THE SHOP | EVERYTHING IS NEW, AGAIN.

Spring is here and that means all things are new and fresh and budding.

This, of course, includes new and fun finds this week in the shop and I am way too excited about this collection and all it offers to each of you.

Warm and cool, formed and found, this week’s drop is all about good light, amazing one-of-a-kind art pieces and

Here’s a peek at some of my favorites:

 

Moroccan Amber Glassware | A top seller, back in stock and I couldn’t be more thrilled. Definitely a fave for entertaining and oh-so-pretty styled on those shelves. My philosophy? Even your drinkware should be art. This set absolutely fits the bill.

I mean, can you even? Theat amber color is *chef’s kiss.

 

ANTIQUE EQUESTRIAN GROOMER BRUSH | I am a fan. While this piece has seen it’s last days of keeping the coats of foal clean, the warm and worn wood is the perfect textural detail to add for an extra layer of interest. A great, unexpected conversation piece and we love a good unexpected something, don’t we?

ANTIQUE ALABASTER LAMPS | A flood of emotions engulf me as a took the wrapping off of these pretties. The pics really do them no justice. Gloriously carved and accented with an unfair amount of veining, these are a unique find for these lamps and I couldn’t be more thrilled to offer them to you in the shop this week. Take the pair or just one. Either way, your room will sing higher notes with these babies helping them tune their way into interior harmony.

ANTIQUE SOLID BRASS CANDLE HOLDERS | I am head over heels in love with just about any thing brass and with the addition of marble it just takes it all to another level. These antique solid brass candleholders are substantial in size and personality and I can see them perfectly flanking the mantel of a fireplace, used atop a side or coffee table or on a shelf with other simple decorative elements and books. The sky’s really the limit with these.

 

Of course, there is so much more in the shop so hop on over and take a look to see if you can find something you can’t live without.

Thanks so much for supporting the shop and finding value in what I do. I am forever grateful that you trust me to curate and help each of you tell your unique stories in your home.

xo,

Kennesha

Navigating Difficult Conversations Online + Beyond

“It’s harder to dig your heels in and think you’re right when you are pausing long enough to hear and see the burdens of those around you. ”
— RH Follower

This weekend on Instagram I unintentionally played host to a conversation about COVID.

As you can imagine, that conversation wasn’t the easiest at times but it was extremely fulfilling and ultimately led to a more than 48-hour long conversation filled with many sharing their personal stories and experiences as it relates to the pandemic. Some were extremely disheartening and others offensive but all brought me to a place of deep thought and consideration.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you know this kind of conversation isn’t necessarily new for me and if you’re still here then you’ve likely leaned into many of them with me over the years. Thank you.

I thought it’d be helpful to share seven ways we can approach these kinds of conversations with a posture that invites others in and allows for healing.


PHOTOGRAPHY | TIARRA SORTE



A FEW THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN

NAVIGATING DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS


  1. Get curious. There are so any experiences in this world outside of our own. Get curious. Recognize that you have a singular experience that likely differs from most. One of the ways I am reminded to do this is if I am hearing something that makes me feel uncomfortable. There are so many opportunities these days to experience this. Instead of turning away from that feeling, it can be helpful to ask yourself some questions about what you are experiencing. Self reflection is critical when approaching any of these difficult convos.

  2. Don’t assume you know. This one is pretty self explanatory but when speaking with someone about a personal situation in their lives or if they are sharing a lived experience, don’t assume you know what their experience is or what their thoughts are. Taking note from the first tip, get curious.

  3. Dig deeper when possible. As you begin to sit with others or with yourself, don’t be afraid to dig a little deeper when possible. This takes practice as well as sensitivity and discernment but with a little courage, this can take conversations to a place of deep compassion and understanding. If self reflecting, it’s a work well worth diving into.

  4. Listen with intent to understand, not win. This may be the most important of all. We lose so much and burn so many bridges when we are more focused on proving a point or ensuring our “rightness”. When conversing with someone, it is most helpful to have a soft heart posture (it’s not always easy) and listen with your heart instead of your emotions or stances. The goal is to achieve understanding, remain respectful and arrive at a place where you’ve grown in empathy for others.

  5. Know when to back off. Sometimes it’s just not worth it. It doesn’t mean the person isn’t, it just means you’re not the one to build the bridge. That’s ok.

  6. You’re probably going to offend someone. Don’t be afraid of that. This is not an excuse to be rude. This means that not everyone will agree with you. This, in my experience, also takes a lot of practice. It’s not always easy to tow the line and to hold words when necessary yet say what needs to be said even if it’s hard to hear. This is a gift and an art. It’s also okay to admit that it’s not your strong suit and bow out until a later time. Hurting someone with words filled with negative emotions for the sake of “getting it out” or “saying your peace” typically results in causing more damage than helping a situation.

  7. Be thankful + show gratitude. This does not include situations where someone is abusive, aggressive or violent with their words. Even if you can’t come to an agreement, practice showing gratitude to others for sharing their stories and holding space with you. In my experience, this turns into mutual gratitude and growth for both sides.

This is obviously not an exhaustive list. I’d love to hear from you about your experiences and what you’ve learned as you’ve navigated these kinds of conversations as well.

Share in the comments below.

Thankful to get to grow with you all here, together.

XO,

Kennesha