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_mckernanhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3muznt5fbzs27For my friends in the south who are dreaming of moving to the PNW for alllll the reasons, just do it. The quality of life is profoundly better here. I’m so much happier!08 Sep 2026 18:31 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3muznt5fbzs27https://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3muva2cajs22rI had the insane idea to delete all my social media while in grad school a few nights ago, and the more the idea simmers, the tastier it sounds.07 Sep 2026 00:14 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3muva2cajs22rhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mudi3rfd322fI need over-the-ear headphones that fit my tiny head AND don’t also squash the arms of my glasses into my temples… that are ideally under $300. Does anyone have recommendations? My new studio space is very shared, so headphones for music, etc is required.30 Aug 2026 22:50 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mudi3rfd322fhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mudhow4fns2fI’ve been in Portland for about 6 weeks and the amount of climate-related headaches I have has decreased significantly. Every recent summer in Nashville has meant months of unbearable humidity and heat, with months of thunderstorms surrounding that. I had really hoped for this relief! 😭30 Aug 2026 22:43 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mudhow4fns2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mtwxp7eul22tDo any other autists habitually close their eyes when brushing their hair or teeth? I do it and always have, like I gotta dim the sensory input, lol.25 Aug 2026 23:25 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtwxp7eul22thttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mt5balhs7s2yI just survived a 20 minute Lyft ride with a woman who believes vaccines cause autism and I narrowly succeeded in biting my tongue because I value my peace too much these days. 🫠15 Aug 2026 18:06 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt5balhs7s2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3msua4axkd22oYesterday morning I was hacked by a Docusign phishing scheme and I’m pretty certain hundreds of people were contacted. In return, I received ~40 emails and DMs from people confused by this (which is a reasonable thing to do).my (autistic) brain shut down and required 16 hours in bed to recover. 🫠12 Aug 2026 03:52 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3msua4axkd22ohttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3msreuebt5c2eIt’s not my first time crying in a bookstore, but it’s my first time at Powell’s. I realized I was walking through the maze as a local, not a tourist. This place made me want to move to Portland a decade ago, and now I walk to it from my apartment.11 Aug 2026 00:39 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3msreuebt5c2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3msqmoer5qc25If you got a Docusign email from me, don’t open it, I was hacked. 😣10 Aug 2026 17:26 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3msqmoer5qc25https://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mslxuuqm4s2a“Unmasking” is a sculpture created while processing my (very late) formal autism diagnosis. The mask I built to survive began to fall away when I realized I’m neurodivergent. At last confirmed at 40, I can finally release all of my past selves. The relief is as immense as the grief. I am finally me.08 Aug 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mslxuuqm4s2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mslxuuqm4s2a“Unmasking” is a sculpture created while processing my (very late) formal autism diagnosis. The mask I built to survive began to fall away when I realized I’m neurodivergent. At last confirmed at 40, I can finally release all of my past selves. The relief is as immense as the grief. I am finally me.08 Aug 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mslxuuqm4s2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mskaisk3rs2fDo I know anyone at LAIKA??08 Aug 2026 04:32 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mskaisk3rs2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3ms2rbmshpk2xI’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.02 Aug 2026 00:50 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms2rbmshpk2xhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3ms2gjtdeus26Unmasking, a sculpture WIP, my first!01 Aug 2026 21:38 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms2gjtdeus26https://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mroo6cxfuc2aI 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!28 Jul 2026 05:23 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mroo6cxfuc2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mrolyaz7uc2zHoly 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. 😵‍💫28 Jul 2026 04:43 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrolyaz7uc2zhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mro6aehr2c2oI’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.28 Jul 2026 00:37 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mro6aehr2c2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mrnzsejquc2cOh Portland, why do you make me choose!?27 Jul 2026 23:18 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnzsejquc2chttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mrnml7wri22yFriendly 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!27 Jul 2026 19:21 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrnml7wri22yhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mrm4sbf4g225Post 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 lol27 Jul 2026 05:06 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrm4sbf4g225https://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mrlkxdxzg22eI’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.26 Jul 2026 23:47 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrlkxdxzg22ehttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mqqrgfzatc2sIt’s my final night in nashville and I was visited by three Luna moths! 🥹16 Jul 2026 08:01 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqqrgfzatc2shttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mqnl767qjk2hSquidling and a WIP!15 Jul 2026 01:32 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqnl767qjk2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mqlr4ldfd22xHey #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.com14 Jul 2026 08:12 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqlr4ldfd22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mqlr4ldfd22xHey #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.com14 Jul 2026 08:12 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mqlr4ldfd22xhttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mq3k4ly5zk26You 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.07 Jul 2026 21:24 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq3k4ly5zk26https://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mq2av2cr2s2aIt’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!07 Jul 2026 09:06 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mq2av2cr2s2ahttps://bsky.app/profile/kellymckernan.bsky.social/post/3mpzlvgp2ys2iWhat if Déjà vu is the disorientation felt from timelines collapsing? https://static.klipy.com/ii/d6b0ce929193df3c242ac34b5654d2ce/9a/57/5Bc07lPh.gif?hh=317&ww=498&mp4=kRDkFR1bU7wDPvKve1&webm=lZwvsOBGnLWJ07 Jul 2026 02:51 +0000at://did:plc:xeh3evfjp23flfuzrbbnodyv/app.bsky.feed.post/3mpzlvgp2ys2i