We recently connected with Jennifer Ryan Kelly and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jennifer, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I discovered my passion for an artistic career during my final year of secondary school. While I struggled to find interest in most subjects, my imagination was relentless.
A conversation between my dad and a local artist, who also taught an art portfolio course, gave me the encouragement I needed to pursue the creative path.
Making this decision just before graduation was daunting, but knowing there was a course to help me build a portfolio to art college was incredibly reassuring.

Jennifer, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am an Irish artist, animator, and drama teacher who graduated from Limerick School of Art and Design with a Bachelor’s Honours in 2020.

The transition after art school was challenging; nothing was waiting for me, so I had to create my own opportunities. I pushed myself to step out of my comfort zone by offering my animation expertise to a local youth theatre and spoke to a wonderful woman named Emily, which became the catalyst for my career. This experience sparked my interest in drama teaching, leading to a domino effect. Since then, I have been providing workshops and classes to young people.

What sets me apart is my ability to create unique art and animations, teach these skills, and translate them into drama, making people appear more animated and story-driven.

I am proud of how far I have come in such a short amount of time. I travel the world to teach art and drama. Initially, I was nervous about the language barriers, but this experience strengthened my communication skills.

When it comes to my art, I take pride in how personal and specialised it is. The time and commitment I pour into each commission and the positive reception make it all worthwhile.

I am also proud to have illustrated a new graphic novel called “Maeve of Connacht” for Ballywire Media. It was a long process, but such an incredible achievement.

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

The most recent reward was a text message from a parent I received after finishing up our summer classes at Dwan Academy, where I teach animation. One of my students gave me a gift, and I wanted to express my gratitude, so I reached out to their mother. She told me that her child really enjoyed the class and felt a deep connection to their father, who used to be an art teacher, while attending. Hearing that made it all so worthwhile.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think the only thing non-creatives will struggle to understand is that I wasn’t born with my skillset. It’s not something I developed overnight, and it’s not as easy as it looks. I’ve dedicated a significant portion of my life to creation. That’s what has gotten me this far, and it will continue to do so for many years to come. To me, the term “non-creatives” doesn’t exist. Everyone is a creative, whether it’s the clothes you pick out or how you prepare your dinner. Art is involved in your everyday life. You create one way or another.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jenniferryankellyart.myportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jayorkay?igsh=b3hrNG1kNXh6ZmFi&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JennRKArt/

Image Credits

Jennifer Ryan Kelly