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Kelly Renken

@mr.renken

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Art Teacher by day, wall of legends and meme memorial artist by night. Painting iconic people and moments throughout history.

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Ep. 138 | Cooper & Koda 🐾❤️

Some dogs become part of your life without ever stepping into your home.

Cooper and Koda from @supercoopersundays gave so many people a reason to look forward to Sunday. Their adventures brought laughter, comfort, and those little moments of happiness that stay with us.

Painting them on the Wall of Legends is my way of honoring that connection. Art gives us a place to hold memories, tell stories, and celebrate the lives that touched ours.

To their family, thank you for sharing your boys with the world. I hope this painting brings a smile and reminds you how deeply they were loved. ❤️

What’s a Cooper and Koda moment you’ll always remember?
@tmartn
#SuperCooperSunday #CooperAndKoda #WallOfLegends #PetPortrait #PetMemorial by @mr.renken

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Remembering where we started, one legend at a time. ❤️🎨

Stan Lee was the sixth addition to my Wall of Legends. Looking back at this painting reminds me how a few portraits in our school hallway became something much bigger, one story at a time.

Alongside artists and writers including Jack Kirby and Steve Ditko, Stan helped create characters like Spider-Man, the Fantastic Four, the X-Men, and the Hulk. These heroes had extraordinary powers, but they also struggled with everyday problems. Their imperfections helped us see ourselves in their stories.

As an art teacher, I love that his legacy gives students a reason to imagine, create, and recognize that their ideas matter. This portrait celebrates the storyteller who helped generations believe there could be a hero in anyone.

Which Marvel character means the most to you, and why? I’d love to hear the story behind your choice. 💬

🎥 Want to see where the wall started? Watch my painting videos in order to follow its growth and discover the stories behind the portraits.

Watch the Wall of Legends playlist

Excelsior! ❤️
@marvel @disney
#StanLee #WallOfLegends #Marvel #Excelsior #TributeArt by @mr.renken

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2 days ago

Remembering where we started, one legend at a time. 🦍❤️

Harambe was the fifth addition to my Wall of Legends. Looking back at this painting reminds me how much the wall has grown since those early days, and how each new portrait brought another story into our school hallway.

Harambe was a western lowland gorilla whose death at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016 sparked worldwide conversations about animal welfare, human responsibility, and how we protect wildlife. His name became an unforgettable part of internet culture, but behind that name was a living animal whose story deserves to be remembered with compassion.

Through this painting, I wanted to give people a reason to pause, remember, and talk.

What does Harambe’s story make you think about today? How can we turn the attention given to one animal into greater care for others?

🎥 Want to see how the wall began? Watch my painting videos in order and follow the journey from the first portrait to everything it has become.

Watch the Wall Remembering where we started, one legend at a time. 🦍❤️

Harambe was the fifth addition to my Wall of Legends. Looking back at this painting reminds me how much the wall has grown since those early days, and how each new portrait brought another story into our school hallway.

Harambe was a western lowland gorilla whose death at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2016 sparked worldwide conversations about animal welfare, human responsibility, and how we protect wildlife. His name became an unforgettable part of internet culture, but behind that name was a living animal whose story deserves to be remembered with compassion.

Through this painting, I wanted to give people a reason to pause, remember, and talk.

What does Harambe’s story make you think about today? How can we turn the attention given to one animal into greater care for others?

🎥 Want to see how the wall began? Watch my painting videos in order and follow the journey from the first portrait to everything it has become.

Watch the Wall of Legends playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfHeDBRwO5-LB13CEVD8mZKYaq7bBCbeS&si=W6Cb2fWrtW3MRPvZ

#Harambe #WallOfLegends #WildlifeArt #AnimalConservation #tributeart by @mr.renken

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4 days ago

Looking back at where the Wall of Legends began, one painting at a time. ❤️🎨

The fourth addition was Coach Tyler Wall and Majd, painted together to remember a story of encouragement, friendship, and perseverance.

In MrBeast’s “Lose 100 LBs, Win $250,000!” video, Coach Wall helped Majd work toward his goal through exercise, healthier habits, and steady encouragement. Coach Wall sadly passed away before the challenge ended. Majd continued and ultimately reached his goal, carrying that encouragement with him.

Seeing them together on the wall reminds me how much it matters to have someone in your corner. Someone who sees your potential and helps you believe in it, too.

Revisiting this finished painting brings me back to the early days of the wall. We’ve come so far since this fourth addition, but these stories are still the heart of it.

What moment from Coach Wall and Majd’s journey stayed with you? Or who has been that person in your life who believed in you when you needed it most?

🎥 Follow the Wall of Legends from the beginning. Watch the painting videos in order and see how it has grown, one story at a time.

Watch the Wall of Legends playlist
@mrbeast @majdk
#WallOfLegends #CoachWall #Majd #MrBeast #TributeArt by @mr.renken

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4 days ago

Some people make you feel like family, even through a screen. Lynja was one of those people. ❤️

The third addition to my Wall of Legends is Lynja, Lynn Yamada Davis, from Cooking with Lynja. With her cooking videos, playful humor, and contagious energy, she turned everyday recipes into something that could brighten your day.

This painting celebrates the joy she shared and the connection people felt while watching her. A familiar face, a good laugh, and something delicious cooking can become a memory we hold onto.

What’s your favorite Cooking with Lynja memory? Did you ever try one of her recipes? Share your stories below. 🍓🥞

🎥 You can also watch my Wall of Legends painting videos in order to see how it all began and follow the wall as it grows, one legend at a time.

Watch the Wall of Legends playlist
@cookingwithlynja
#CookingWithLynja #Lynja #WallOfLegends #TributeArt #RememberingLynja by @mr.renken

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5 days ago

Some people teach us how to paint. Bob Ross reminded us that we could. 🎨❤️

Today’s Wall of Legends photo honors a man whose gentle voice and love of painting made a blank canvas feel a little less intimidating. Through The Joy of Painting, he encouraged people to try, make mistakes, and find beauty in what happened along the way.

As an art teacher, that’s a message I want my students to carry with them. You don’t have to be perfect to create something meaningful. Sometimes you just need the courage to begin.

Did you watch Bob Ross for the painting lessons or for the peace he brought? And did he ever inspire you to pick up a brush?

🎥 Want to see how the Wall of Legends began? Watch my YouTube playlist in order to follow the painting journey, hear the stories behind the portraits, and watch the wall grow one legend at a time.

Watch from the beginning:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfHeDBRwO5-LB13CEVD8mZKYaq7bBCbeS&si=TwPMvQpBjMLjv-0Z

#BobRoss #WallOfLegends #TheJoyOfPainting #HappyLittleTrees #TributeArt by @mr.renken

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6 days ago

Every painting on this wall has a story. Now I want to give each one another moment to be remembered. ❤️

Alongside my painting videos, I’ll be sharing photos of the Wall of Legends so we can revisit the faces, share memories, and talk about who deserves a spot next.

We’re starting where it all began: Technoblade, the very first legend I painted. 👑🐷

Through Minecraft, humor, and his unmistakable personality, he gave so many people something to look forward to. This painting honors that connection and the memories his community continues to carry.

What is one Technoblade moment you’ll never forget, or something he meant to you personally? I’d love to hear your story in the comments.

Technoblade never dies. ❤️

#Technoblade #TechnobladeNeverDies #WallOfLegends #Minecraft #TributeArt by @mr.renken

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7 days ago

Ep. 137 Today, I’m honoring Tatum, the beloved rescue dog behind @hi.this.is.tatum , by painting him on the Wall of Legends. 🐾❤️

Tatum’s story began with a second chance when he was adopted into a loving home in 2016. What followed was something truly special.

With his hilarious voiceovers, unforgettable personality, and playful spirit, Tatum became a source of laughter, comfort, and happiness for millions of people around the world.

But his legacy goes far beyond funny videos.

Tatum showed the world the incredible impact rescue animals can have on our lives. He reminded us that every shelter animal has a story, every rescue deserves a chance, and sometimes the smallest members of our families leave the biggest impressions on our hearts.

Through Tatum Talks, his family created more than entertainment. They built a community connected by laughter, kindness, and a shared love for animals.

Although Tatum is no longer with us, the happiness he brought into this world will continue through every video, every memory, and every person he inspired to love or adopt a rescue animal.

It is an honor to give Tatum a permanent place on the Wall of Legends.

Rest easy, sweet Tatum. Your voice may be silent, but your legacy will never be forgotten. ❤️🐾

This is where legends are made.

#TatumTalks #TatumTheDog #WallOfLegends #RescueDogs #NeverForgotten by @mr.renken

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8 days ago

Painting Omni-Man from Invincible, and taking a step I’ve been nervous about: selling my art online for the first time. 🎨❤️

So much has gone into this journey. Teaching during the day, painting late into the night, filming, editing, and trying to build something meaningful one video at a time. Behind each painting are hours of work and a little piece of me.

Growing this platform has been a blessing. Knowing that people choose to spend part of their day watching me create still means so much. Your stories, encouragement, and support have given my work a purpose beyond the paint.

But I’ve also felt discouraged. It’s hard to pour so much time and heart into something while wondering whether it can help support my family, or whether I can keep up with everything it takes. I can feel grateful for how far I’ve come and still feel unsure about what comes next.

Putting my art up for sale feels hopeful and vulnerable. Something I made with my own hands could become part of someone else’s home. That’s a pretty special thought.

Whether you buy a painting or simply keep showing up here, thank you. You’ve helped me believe this is worth pursuing, even on the days when that belief is harder to hold onto. ❤️
@invincible.hq
#OmniMan #Invincible #ArtForSale #ArtistJourney #Painting by @mr.renken

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10 days ago

Ep. 136 Painting Gatsby the corgi (2014–2026) on the Wall of Legends. ❤️🐾

Gatsby was a tricolor Pembroke Welsh Corgi who grew up alongside Ryen Lung, the creator of @vlogaftercollege . Ryen brought him home in 2014 and documented his first year through daily videos. A compilation of Gatsby’s puppyhood went viral, introducing countless people to this little dog with a big personality.

Over the next 12 years, viewers watched their adventures and grew to love the bond they shared. Some were even inspired to welcome a corgi into their own family.

Gatsby’s story shows how sharing everyday moments can connect people around the world. For many of us, he became a comforting, familiar friend through a screen.

Ryen, thank you for sharing Gatsby with us. This portrait honors your best friend and the joy he brought to so many. What is your favorite Gatsby memory? ❤️

#GatsbyTheCorgi #VlogAfterCollege #WallOfLegends #Corgi #PetTribute by @mr.renken

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12 days ago

Ep. 135 painting Bonnie Tyler on the Wall of Legends. ❤️🎨

Born Gaynor Hopkins in Wales in 1951, Bonnie became one of the most recognizable voices in music. Her unmistakable raspy voice gave us classics like “It’s a Heartache,” “Holding Out for a Hero,” and “Total Eclipse of the Heart.”

Her music crossed generations, and that powerful voice became impossible to mistake. Now her legacy has a permanent place on the Wall of Legends.

What’s your favorite Bonnie Tyler song? And who should I paint next?
@bonnietylerofficial
#BonnieTyler #WallOfLegends #TotalEclipseOfTheHeart #HoldingOutForAHero #MusicLegends by @mr.renken

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15 days ago

Some legends leave us far too soon. 💔

Ep. 134 Today, @averythepokekid joins the Wall of Legends.

Avery took his love for Pokémon and turned it into something much bigger. His infectious smile, courage, and pure excitement brought happiness to millions and created a community that rallied around one incredible kid.

His passing is still so recent, and knowing that someone who brought so much joy is suddenly gone makes this painting especially difficult.

Avery may have been a Pokémon trainer at heart, but he caught something far more important—the hearts of millions.

Rest easy, Avery. Your journey ended far too soon, but your impact will live on. ❤️

#AveryThePokeKid #PokemonKid #Pokemon #WallOfLegends #LegendsNeverDie by @mr.renken

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