Young people in Agri: Kylie McKeown

From a young age, Kylie was always drawn to art, both in school and at home. Life on the family's dairy, sheep and poultry farm meant there was always something to do, but she was never far from a paintbrush. Whether she was earning art badges in Brownies, creating pieces for the Clogher Valley Show or helping paint chicken houses on the family farm, every opportunity only strengthened her passion for art.

“Growing up on the farm has shaped so much of who I am. Whether it's helping with jobs around the yard, watching the seasons change or simply enjoying the countryside around me, farming has always been a huge part of my life and is the biggest inspiration behind my artwork.

“Art was always something I loved.”

Inspired by her farming roots, Kylie found the perfect way to combine her creativity with agriculture, and it wasn’t long before she launched Kylie Alexandra Designs. Creating artwork that reflects rural life has allowed her to produce pieces that resonate not only with her, but with the wider farming community too.

“I've always loved both art and agriculture, and I wanted to find a way to combine the two. After finishing my GCSEs and while studying for my A-Levels, I realised that my artwork could become something more than just a hobby. I wanted to create pieces that celebrate farming while giving people meaningful gifts that remind them of home, family and rural life. That's how Kylie Alexandra Designs began.”

Kylie’s artwork resonates with many people, holding a personal connection for those who receive it. Her strong farming background, mixed with her creativity, allows her to create something that many will love and appreciate.

“I love the beauty of rural life, from the animals and machinery to the changing seasons and landscapes. Being surrounded by farming every day means I notice the little details that make each farm unique, and I try to capture those in my work. My aim is to create artwork that farmers and rural families can truly relate to and be proud to display in their homes.”

Celebrating farming heritage, Kylie has given old pieces of farming history a new lease of life. Designing and painting creamery cans has become one of the most popular parts of her business. Featuring everything from Holstein cattle and chickens to personalised house signs, these creations have become a huge hit within her business, giving a traditional farming item a modern purpose.

“We've always had old creamery cans around the farm, and one day I thought it would be nice to give one a completely new purpose. I painted one as a personal art project for my AS exam piece, and the response was incredible. People loved the idea of turning something with so much farming history into a unique piece of artwork. Since then, creamery cans have become one of my signature pieces.”

For Kylie, the greatest reward isn't selling artwork, but hearing the stories behind every commission. The support she has received from friends, family and the wider community has encouraged her to continue developing her work.

“I love hearing the stories behind each commission and adding my own interpretations and touch to each piece and knowing that something I've created has become a treasured gift or a special keepsake. Watching Kylie Alexandra Designs grow and receiving support from so many people has been incredibly rewarding.”

Although, balancing A-Levels, everyday farm work and running her business has brought its challenges too.

“Learning about pricing, managing orders and building a business from scratch has all been a learning experience, but every challenge has helped me grow in confidence. It’s hard to balance helping on the farm and artwork some days! But I love it and I wouldn’t change it.”

Through her artwork, Kylie wants to remind people why rural life is worth celebrating. More than simply painting livestock and landscapes, Kylie wants her artwork to tell the story of rural life and the people who make it possible.

“Farming isn't just a job it’s a way of life and I may be biassed but it’s the best way to grow up. I want to be able to celebrate, in some way, the amount of hard work and dedication that goes to putting the food on everyone’s table and the hardships that farmers face everyday despite being the backbone of our economy and the reason we can all eat everyday.

“Through my artwork I hope to showcase the hard work, dedication and passion that farmers put into what they do every day. If my work can remind someone of home, celebrate their family farm or simply make them smile, then I've achieved exactly what I set out to do.”

Although Kylie Alexandra Designs is still in its early days, there are plenty of exciting plans ahead. With personalised commissions continuing to arrive and Christmas orders already filling her diary, the future is looking busy.

“Most of my artwork is commissioned and completely customisable by the customer which I love, everything is always different.

“I really enjoy working with customers to create something meaningful that's completely personal to them.

“There are definitely a few exciting ideas I'm working on at the minute. I can’t wait to create some amazing Christmas presents which I have already messages about.”

As Kylie Alexandra Designs continues to grow, she hopes to keep creating pieces that celebrate rural life, with her latest work and commission information available through the Kylie Alexandra Designs Facebook and Instagram pages.

“I love working with customers to create something truly special that they'll treasure for years to come.”