Kelly McKernan
@kellymckernan.bsky.social
fine artist ✧ freelance illustrator ✧ audhd goblin ✧ advocating for artists ✧ they/them baddie ✧ trans rights are human rights ✧ on a quest to see every color ✧ 🚫AI ✧ linktr.ee/kelly_mckernan
I’ve been living in Portland for 2 weeks now and I’m finally settling in. Every day, I’ve gone on a Whimsy Walk, where I choose a destination but wander my way in its general direction. Every block has something interesting going on, but just as interesting are the people! It’s delightful here.
I had a very lovely time tonight dropping in on a live nude figure drawing session, right in my new neighborhood! My drawing muscles are properly stretched with some challenging poses from an amazing model. I’m taking that energy into a long night finishing a project tonight!
Holy fucking mind blowing realization, Batman: I’ve been toe-walking my entire life, but after years of dance as a teen, it never really went away. I just caught myself doing it in my new long hallway! I stopped like I hit a wall when I put it together. What a wild journey I’m having, y’all. 😵💫
I’m rewatching Murderbot for the 3rd time and now that I got the ASD diagnosis, I am screeching with glee at the parallels of the autistic inner voice.
Friendly reminder that tetrachromia is determined by the number of cones in your retina. Most people have 3, colorblind people have 2. If you have 4 cones, you won’t be able to test this on a computer by counting color bands. This can only be determined by genetic testing or lab testing in person!
Post diagnosis epiphany: I never learned how to snowboard properly because of my autism as a kid! I had a lesson at 14 but didn’t pay attention, so found a way to snowboard goofy without ever turning left. I know, it makes no sense. I could never balance correctly & I found my own way anyway lol
I’m at a coffee shop and overheard some girls talking about how someone is cute but “he has donut powder mouth” and I burst out laughing before I realized they were talking about a black cat.
It’s my final night in nashville and I was visited by three Luna moths! 🥹
Hey #portfolioday, I’m Kelly McKernan (they/them), a fine artist and illustrator painting in watercolor and acryla gouache. My work is inspired by dark fantasy, art nouveau, surrealism, and pop culture. I enjoy creating art for books, comics, games, editorial, and galleries! www.kellymckernan.com
Hey #portfolioday, I’m Kelly McKernan (they/them), a fine artist and illustrator painting in watercolor and acryla gouache. My work is inspired by dark fantasy, art nouveau, surrealism, and pop culture. I enjoy creating art for books, comics, games, editorial, and galleries! www.kellymckernan.com
You know what’s nice about 40? I finally know who I am, what I deserve, what I won’t tolerate, and how to trust my intuition. I also look and feel fucking great. It can only get better from here.
It’s my birthday! A big one - 40!? Lots of changes are afoot, including moving across the country next week and starting grad school in the fall. I was also just diagnosed with autism after years of questioning. I’m terribly excited to start the next chapter of my life. Thank you for supporting me!
What if Déjà vu is the disorientation felt from timelines collapsing?
Tim And Eric Mind Blown Universe Meme
ALT: Tim And Eric Mind Blown Universe Meme
static.klipy.com
Last night I was visited by this freshly hatched female Luna moth! She’s only the 3rd one I’ve ever seen. I feel so lucky! Lunas are my absolute favorite moths.
One of the shame nuggets I’m letting go of, now that I have my ASD diagnosis, is how exhausting cooking is for me. I’ve watched people effort make meals with many ingredients and complicated methods without breaking a sweat. Me? Anything requiring more than 4 ingredients and 10 minutes is daunting.
Getting an autism diagnosis for my 40th birthday feels like finally finding the dungeon map after a lifetime of stumbling through a labyrinth in the dark. It’s gonna be a lot less painful from here on out.
I have officially been diagnosed with autism, a week before my 40th birthday. 👾✨👩🎤💫💜
Rainbow Autism
ALT: Rainbow Autism
static.klipy.com
I put up a birdfeeder to entertain the cats and summoned a raccoon instead. Cats seem more concerned than entertained.
Pitch: Secret of Nimh but from the POV of the over-worked, white collar guy at Nimh desperately trying to convince everyone that hyper-intelligent rats have made a democratic society with advanced technology, and actual goddamn magic, under some farmers rosebush in the middle of nowhere Maryland.
can’t believe a narcissist is being so publicly humiliated by a reflecting pool
The Democratic Party freaking out that Democratic Party candidates are winning is the most Democratic Party thing ever.
They just made the most money ever on an original movie by an creator/director who actively hates AI and this is the lesson they take from it.
Mathew Buck@filmbrainbmb.bsky.social · last mo.A24 announces that they want to put storyboard artists out of work. That's what the headline should be written as. Becuase we should be honest about what these AI "tools" are trying to do, and who it is trying to circumvent. variety.com/2026/film/ne...
I saw The Backrooms last night and loved the visuals, especially the pool rooms! It reminded me that I have a reoccurring dream that is like if the pool rooms were a never-ending maze of minty green tiles, bathtubs, showers, and toilets, a long forgotten 30s art deco bizarro health spa labyrinth.