Air Borne Creations


We may be closed to the public but we are busier than ever online!



What's happening in the world of Air Borne?



Events





I am happily embracing the world of a virtual studio! Studio tours, exhibits, demos and insight is now accessible to all. Below, you will find events both past and soon to be. So, make yourself comfortable and take a look into my world.



Casting call for pooches!


Through October 16
Don’t let the final days of warm weather pass you by without taking your pooch for a cruise and a photoshoot. I'm looking for canine models of all shapes and sizes for an upcoming series of paintings. All your pup needs to do is be their self, be nice and enjoy the wind in their hair as they ride in the car or sit in, on or by the vehicle. This is an informal session, not a professional photoshoot. Simple candid, relaxed photos are the goal. There is no cost and you will receive a digital copy of a picture taken of your fur baby. For those pet owners whose dogs are used in the series, you will receive an 8x10 print of the painting with your pup. Dates and locations will be determined according to sign ups along with time to keep it as convenient as possible. Just contact me if you are interested and wee can make arrangements.


Rusty things in my garden


April 24
Return those eyesores in your garden back to their original beauty. With a bit of elbow grease and TLC, I turned my garden of horrors into a garden of treasures. Those pretty metal pieces we buy to enhance our gardens soon turn into jagged jaws of death. As a professional gardener, I worked on many properties with rusty, decaying garden décor that would lead to a trail of blood and tears as well as the occasional rush to the ER for a tetanus shot. See how I resurected my own rusty old things from garden trash to garden splendor..!


What to do with those worn out Resin statues!


April 17
Fix it, don't chuck it. See what I've done to refinish a shed full of resin statues in my yard. Resin statues are a challenge to the environment. They are disposable, yet we pay good money for them. So why toss it out? I took my own pieces to task and with a bit of TLC, got them back in shape. Check out the before and afters of some faded, broken pieces and think about ways that you can fix your own.!


Give your planters a facelift


April 10
What to do when your planters get tired and are begging for a new life? Grab some paint! Check out different ways that I have given a new look to my own planters and get a bit of inspiration. A few garden tips along the way.!


Garden Decor and Refinished Statuary ~ Saturday Showcase


March 27
Spring has finally arrived! Kiki has a lot of work to do on her own garden décor and invites you for a showing of pieces she has refurbished and created in the past. Outdoor furniture, planters, statues, mailboxes and more are part of her virtual show featuring commissioned work. Are you in need of repairs? We can help, either with a virtual tutorial or, if you are in the CT area, we can do the work for you!


Painting Rust on canvas ~ Demo.



March 13
I will demonstrate Painting rust and texture on canvas as seen in my original painting, "Unleashed". I'll be working with an airbrush but this technique is easily adapted to traditional paintbrush.


Moving Forward ~ Looking Back. A Virtual Visit with the Artist



December 26
Kiki Michalek shares the journey and the changes her career took in 2020. All of us have been challenged this year. Small business and the arts have had to jump massive hurdles to survive but strength and hope prevail. She will share a bit about her background, the evolution of her 34-year career as a freelance artist and the pivotal moment that everything changed. Looking forward to 2021, she has reshaped her business – as so many of us have – and has put her focus on continuing to learn, to remain visible in a life where artists no longer have venues to show their work, to seek out new ways to evolve and meet new clients. The new year also brings in new products, gratitude and a positive outlook as to how the arts will continue to thrive.


Saturday Showcase ~ Painting Poinsettias on Christmas Stocking



December 19
Poinsettias and Christmas. What better combination to go on a Christmas stocking! Starting with a plain fabric stocking, I’ll add poinsettias with a watercolor effect using the airbrush. Airbrush is a perfect tool for fabric painting, leaving the surface soft and pliable without cracking.


Saturday Showcase ~ Thoughtful Giving



December 12
Are you in a panic right now? Take a moment to destress and think about ways to bring something to your friends and family gatherings even though you can’t physically be together. Setting the table with your cherished decorations for a family feast or bringing a hostess gift to a party are so much a part of the holidays. Sharing what we love. You can still bring that joy into someone’s life without making it complicated. I’ll share a few ideas and bring out a few of my hand painted pieces and stories of Christmases past in a virtual visit. Pour yourself some coco and take a moment to breath…This weekend I am offering a very special sale on orders placed by Sunday for immediate delivery. Look for the code in the video. I’ll post the link to my shop specials.



Saturday Showcase ~ Lil' Bits



December 5
Take a miniature gallery tour of tiny masterpieces. At only 3”, these miniature canvases still pack a punch. Fine art for even the smallest of spaces. Many of you are familiar with my big, oversized canvas work but I do love to work on little pieces as well. Join me and some special studio guests for a virtual tour of available work and commissioned pieces.


Saturday Showcase ~ Painting Demonstration
Romantic Rose



November 28
Romantic Rose is part of my carousel series. Surrounded by dozens of roses, this beauty is near completion. What she needs are rose petals. Lots of rose petals, floating to the ground. How is this done? Join me as I use hand cut stencils and the airbrush to place petals onto the background freestyle. I’ll give a bit of background to the inspiration and the process behind the 4’ canvas..



Holiday Show and Virtual Studio Tour



November 21
It’s time to celebrate! I’ll be serving up some holiday cheer for a virtual Holiday studio tour. Follow me through the studio and feast your eyes on fine art, gift items, works in progress and more. Holidays start early at Air Borne Creations.
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Saturday Showcase ~ Holiday Ornaments



November 14
If you’re anything like me, decorating the tree with your favorite ornaments is like unwrapping a stash of treasures. Some are gifts from loved ones, family heirlooms, gifts from yourself or handmade by your kiddos. Each one has a story. Join me for a virtual exhibit of handmade ornaments and holiday decoration. You’ll find everything from house portrait ornaments to 3 dimensional upcycled finds..
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Saturday Showcase ~ Pet Portraits



November 7
This weeks showcase features the animals that bring us so much love and joy. I'll take you through a slideshow of some of my commissioned work. For one week only, I'm offering a special discount on custom work. As the holidays approach, the window for special orders is quickly closing.
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Saturday Showcase ~ "Morning Harvest" ~ A Virtual Painting Demonstration



October 25
Take a look behind the scenes at the newest addition to my carousel series. I'll share a bit about the process and inspiration that leads to a painting with a slideshow and video as I work on the piece. My carousel animals are an ongoing series of oversized acrylic and watercolor work. "Morning Harvest" is the follow up piece to "Midnight Rose" which has been very well received. .
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Saturday Showcase ~ Home Decor



October 24
This week's showcase features Home Décor. From trinket boxes to furniture, I'll bring you a sampling of hand painted pieces that are ready for purchase and gift items that can be custom ordered.
These items can not be found on my shopping site. They will be available at a special discount this weekend only.
Saturday Showcase will be a weekly event through December 2020.
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"Cruisin'" New Exhibit, Studio Tour


October 18
Take a cruise with Kiki Michalek through a virtual studio tour featuring her automotive artwork. The artist will talk about her work as she walks you through the studio. From miniature paintings, stationery and gift items to oversized fine art pieces it is an exhibit for art lovers and automobile enthusiasts alike. You will get a sneak peek at works in progress and there will be a slide show of Kiki’s automotive work over the years. So, grab a snack and enjoy the show from the comfort of your home.



Behind the Lines. Automotive Painting Demo


September 27
As I prepare for my next exhibit, "Cruisin'", I'll take you behind the scenes for a demo and slideshow on the creation of "3 Brothers", the 5th piece in a series of large automotive paintings. I'll show you how I work with handcut stencils, the airbrush and explain the process of working on these technical pieces. hERE'S THE LINK


Fire it Up! Painting Flames on Motorcycle Helmet


August 30
Step behind the lines as I add a bit of spark to a motorcycle helmet. I'll take you through the process of painting flames with an airbrush. The link will be posted here at 2PM and will also post to my Facebook page that day. You'll also discover how this one hollowed out helmet catapaulted me in the direction of a new series of fine artwork.


All Creatures Great and Small


Tour a new exhibit celebrating our furred, finned and feathered friends!


Farewell to Brick and Mortar. HELLO Virtual Studio!



As I enter a new model of doing business, I leave behind the brick and mortar studio and open my arms to the Virtual Studio. I talk a bit about change and invite you to witness some of the craziness of setting up and creating a years worth of events in 1 week for prerecorded events before breaking it all down and moving it out.



Christmas in July


Yes, it's July! That means it's time to think Christmas!


Hummingbirds and Hedgehogs, Painting on Fabric Demo


Join me for a magical transformation of a well loved shirt. Giving a facelift and a bit of tlc to a painting from days gone by.


For the Love of Felines


Each year,Kiki has held this event to promote feline rescue and Trap, Neuter and Release (TNR) programs. Why felines? Kiki supports all animal rescue. Cats became her focus when she was invaded by a colony that began in a neighbors yard. Although she stepped in quickly, it still took 3 years to get it under control. 15 years and thousands of photographs later, an exhibit became part of the event following the lives of these animals. "It sends a powerful message when we can look into an animals eyes. Those who were too wild to adopt remained under my care. It was not easy, it was expensive, it was horribly heartbreaking at times." says Kiki. "But they were worth it." These forgotten animals live everywhere, in every neighborhood. Learn about the lives of this one colony and how TNR saves lives. Check it out.


Behind the Lines. The Making of a painting



Kiki shares the creative process in a slide show with video on her piece Romantic Rose, an oversized painting on canvas. Rose is part of a large series of carousel paintings, 13 of them representing a holiday for each month.



Carousel Carnival


featuring Kiki's carousel paintings. Join her for mimosas as she guides you through the studio, sharing the background behind her carousel series, color compositions and offers a rare look at the original sketches. There are 15 drafts for this continuing series of oversized canvas paintings. She will share a sneak peek at works in progress and the tools of her trade.


Air Borne Creations



How to order



Bringing a clients' vision to life is what I do. I love bringing you into the creative process and give you the freedom to explore your options. There is no limit to what you can do with your customized work. Each commission has it's own unique quality. Contact me with your request for a price quote. Need ideas? I can help you with a number of possibilities.