Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Hartman
Hi Kelly , it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I started my business Studio 308 the summer after graduating from college with a BFA in painting. The business was a side gig as I spent nearly 10 years working as a museum curator waiting for the right time to switch careers. The time finally arrived May of 2023 when I was able to move into running my business full time. May of 2024 I changed my business name to better reflect my work: Wild Joy Creative.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I struggled with finding my niche. I experimented for years with different media and products. Finding that balance of something I enjoy with something that others would want to purchase for their homes or to wear without selling myself out. I also struggled with undiagnosed ADHD for decades. Finding that out about myself has made life much easier to understand for me!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
While I was trained as a painter, I have fallen in love with fiber arts and printmaking, in particular embroidery and linocut. For the past year I have been designing my own embroidery kits, which feature hand carved Lino designs embellished with embroidery techniques. With a love of jewelry, I have also been able to turn my embroidery into wearable art by creating light weight earrings that include florals, landscapes and insects.
What makes you happy?
When I sit down in a sunny place in my home or outdoors and pull that first bit of embroidery floss through the needle and knot it I feel like I am coming home to myself. I love the act of creating, the act of getting lost in the process of things like embroidery, carving lino or painting.
Contact Info:
- Website: wild-joy-creative.com or studio-308.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_joy_creative/
