We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelley Batson-Howard a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kelley thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. The first dollar you earn is always exciting – it’s like the start of a new chapter and so we’d love to hear about the first time you sold or generated revenue from your creative work?

The first time someone gave me money for something I created, I was absolutely astonished. It came from a very unlikely place (never think you fully know who your fans will be), at a very hectic time of the year, and at a time I sincerely needed the cash flow to continue forward. To this day, I fully believe it was a gift from God. The buyer not only purchased one piece, but three and that purchase gave me the confidence to continue along the path I’d chosen just as I was having doubts. I’ve been very fortunate that these situations continue to happen and keep propelling me forward just when I need it the most.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an abstract painter who, in her later years of life, has been fortunate enough to concentrate full-time on making a childhood dream of being an artist come true. I always felt I was an artist deep down inside, but early life decisions led me in a different direction for most of my life. I lived my life in and surrounded by the commercial greenhouse business which is a 24/7 adventure leaving almost no time for anything but family. In 2017, I departed that life and began my adventures in painting. Now, being a painter, I find, I am finally living in my own skin and getting to be who I was born to be. I have spent the last few years learning how things happen in the art world and playing with different media in an effort to find my own voice as an artist. At the end of the day, I’ve learned I want to add more beauty to the world not add negativity or darkness. I paint from a place of strong emotion and thrive by the very act of painting. Recently, I’ve landed at a place I am very comfortable with. It feels like I’ve reached “home base”, so to speak. I’ve started creating by throwing paint with my hands and other implements onto the canvas, thereby creating very organic, emotionally driven pieces that leave me feeling both spent and filled up all at the same time. I believe these pieces that are showing up on my canvas now are the truest expression of self. I’m blessed that others seem to like them as well, and that is the ultimate high-someone honors you with a purchase for being yourself.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is actually twofold. The other artists you meet along the way who are willing to share themselves and their talents with you, give you a “family” that really does understand you because, they too, are creatives in their soul. Secondly, the most rewarding thing is when someone gives you money for the thing you create. That means they love it enough to bring a piece of you into their home, or enough to bless another with a gift of your creation. There’s no better compliment you can give to an artist. No ribbon, no award can do as much as making a purchase, no matter how small, because the artist is permanently giving you a piece of themselves. To sprinkle little pieces of yourself around the community in such a way is heartwarming.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

The best thing society can do to support artists is to buy their creations. Sometimes, a purchase is an encouragement to the artist just when they’re on the verge of giving up. Sometimes a purchase just helps pay the rent or buy new supplies. You never know how much a simple purchase to you means to the artist. Because artists put their soul into their work, when you buy, you are getting a piece of that artist. It is the ultimate acceptance and everyone lives life desiring to be accepted. The encouragement that comes from a purchase propels an artist forward and helps them to continue making more art. Your very purchase may inspire the artist’s next masterpiece.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kbatsonart.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/kbatsonart
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/KBatsonArtwork
• Linkedin: @kbatsonart

Image Credits
Andrew Trembly