Kali McCrackin Goodenough- Notebooks

Statement

A splash of color. A whimsical chaos. A bright spot in the routines of daily life.

My work begins with the ordinary: a plain notebook, an object meant to hold structure, lists, plans, and the measured pieces of a day. I transform these surfaces into layered, vivid compositions—small works of art designed to bring creative energy into everyday practices. What began as a desire to add a spark of life to my own routines grew into the creation works rooted in honoring the beauty of the everyday.

I am drawn to color—especially bold, contrasting tones that create movement and vibrancy. Using acrylic paint, layers of tissue paper, and hand-crafted stamps, I create surfaces that are multifaceted and textured. Each layer partially conceals and reveals what lies beneath, creating depth that invites closer attention. Small details guide the eye across the composition, encouraging a slow, wandering exploration.

By transforming functional objects into expressive, color-saturated spaces, I seek to add a spark to the everyday. These notebooks become more than tools for organization; they become bright companions to daily life—whimsical, untamed, and alive with possibility. Through color, contrast, and layered detail, I invite viewers to pause, look closer, and rediscover the beauty woven into the ordinary.

Bio

 Kali (Kay-Lee) McCrackin Goodenough was born and raised in Laramie, Wyoming. She is a graduate of the University of Wyoming with a background in journalism, marketing, and education. She has spent more than a decade working in food security, marketing, and education, while nurturing creative passions and finding calm through painting and photography.

Although her art education ended after high school, art has remained an anchor in her life. An avid photographer and painter who enjoys exploring mixed media, Kali draws much of her inspiration from nature and is rarely found without her camera on mountain adventures. Watching life through the camera lens helps her slow down and take in the tiny details, which find their way into her paintings. For her, art is both a reset and a way to create something beautiful from the everyday.

Kali has lived in France and South Korea, and currently lives in Laramie with her family.

Uniqueness 

Each notebook is hand painted and collaged. No two are exactly the same, resulting in one-of-a-kind pieces. The covers of the notebooks are treated as a canvas, layered with tissue paper and paint. From atmospheric snapshots of nature to vibrant botanical abstractions, each piece draws inspiration from nature, while layering in geometric patterns.

Notebooks were picked for quality of the paper and durability, intended to be used daily. These pieces are designed as functional art, each one as unique as the customer drawn to them.