We recently connected with Casey Helmick and have shared our conversation below.

Casey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

The most meaningful project I’ve executed this far in my creative career has to be my Treefort Music Festival window painting for The Record Exchange in Boise, ID. Growing up in Boise I always idealized Treefort as the coolest thing our small town had to offer. The way that the music festival brought our community together was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Not just was it a music festival but an all immersive creative experience that involved the whole city, from my favorite local coffee shop/ tattoo parlour/pizza joint to my favorite local record store where I’d spend hours after school looking for new music just waiting to be discovered, local artists filed the windows of small businesses with their art, bands from far and wide coming together for a week of pure magic in what felt like my nothing noname hometown. I grew up attending Treefort for 7 years and even have a tattoo of the logo. After a lifelong affinity for this feeling that only Treefort brought out in me I knew that I had to make my mark on the festival myself, so I applied to paint a window for Treefort 2o23. I had the opportunity to design my very own mural for The Record Exchange (the record store I grew up going to), it was my first time ever painting a window and I executed the whole thing over 4 freezing (below 30 degrees)windy days in March. Never have I felt so fulfilled or in my element, I could feel my teenage self watching over me and how proud they were of me. As a working artist it isn’t so much about fame or glory but the full circle moments that heal you and bring you closer to the true meaning of your practice, at least for me. I’ve applied to be an artist again this year, fingers crossed for Treefort 2024.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Casey Helmick (they/them) and I am a non-binary multidisciplinary artist born in Los Angeles, CA raised in Boise, Idaho so you know I have an LA attitude but home grown country roots. My practice is ever expansive but I’d call myself a screenprinter, painter, graphic designer, clothing designer, (future) tattoo artist, and small business owner! I’ve been making art ever since I was a kid, my favorite activity growing up was watching cartoons and making big posters about my different favorite topics usually animals. At the time I was heavily inspired by Pokémon, Looney Tunes, Fairly Oddparents, Powerpuff Girls, Spongebob, and of course The Simpsons. As I grew up I had the privilege of attending a small arts school in Idaho from 4th-9th grade. Where 4 hours of art class was incorporated into our everyday schedule, I played with every medium I could get my hands on, and came to learn that visual communication was my strength. Having this kind of creative freedom at a young age really taught me how to utilize and rely on my creative problem solving skills. My passion for art and creative expression landed me a partial scholarship to Portland State University, where I got my degree in graphic design. I speak of my childhood when I’m asked about my creative practice because now even as an adult, the concept of “play” is a crucial aspect of creative career. Clients come to me to bring their dreams to reality whether that be a logo for their small business, an illustration for a big company, a custom t-shirt for a friend, or a tattoo that will live on forever, my clients come to me because I know how to tip toe the lines of childhood fantasy whimsy and bend that into reality all in one big pretty picture.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I graduated college in 2020 height of the pandemic and I felt very lost in my career post graduation, unsure of what the future held I decided to get a job at a local grocery store to support myself and be an essential worker. I always dreamed of having my own brand, with the stresses of college behind me I started upcycling and painting clothing in my downtime. I posted my first few pieces on Instagram and they sold out within the day. Then opened my commissions and started by making hand painted tote bags for people. Things really took off for me when my former professor, Kate Bingaman-Burt, recommended me for a live painting job for Redbull. I was asked to customize a cooler for See See’s Motor Cafe in Portland, alongside two men I was the only femme presenting queer person. The audience of the event wasn’t really my vibe but I made it my own and passed out stickers and business cards to people who interacted with me as I painted. During the event a man running his own booth at came up to the three of us and asked if any of us did this professionally. I quickly answered and said “I would if you’re hiring!” I went and handed him a business card and that was the beginning of my working relationship with Sean Light, creative director of High Order Studio. He gave me my first opportunity to work in his own creative production studio and be apart of what he was building for himself. He has mentored me and taught me so much about how to run my own business alongside so many other mentors. He encouraged me to start working for myself after I renting out a studio space of my own in our studio warehouse building, As I’ve worked for myself the past 2 years, I’ve supplemented my income by working at a local candy store which I refer to as my side hustle. Even at my candy store job I’m taking creative reign and helping the store flourish. I just executed a Valentine’s Day window painting display for them. I’ll always consider myself a full time creative regardless of the work that I do for money. Success for me as a small business owner and creative is sustainability. I believe that making any part of your income off of your art is a success, especially in this economy!

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of what I do as a creative, is inspiring others to get in touch with their dreams, especially the youth. When I was in college I took a mentorship class for a year and worked with the same high school level student, the class consisted of us going to lunch together, making lesson plans and creating art with our mentees. We remain in touch to this day and she calls me on occasion for life and business advice. Over summer 2023 I was vending at a series of markets with my first line of screenprinted upcycled clothing, a teenage girl came to my booth and bought one of my favorite pieces, she complimented me on the design and followed me on Instagram. Later on she reached out to me about being new to the area and wanting to learn more about the fashion and art scene in Portland. We met at my studio and talked about my background and how I got to where I am and then she asked to be my intern. Her name is Lilyan and we work together on art direction, styling, and sewing for my small business. This kind of connection is the most valuable + rewarding aspect of being an artist. It takes a lot of risk, understanding of self, and creativity to make something, ANYTHING and put it out there into the world. When someone else sees what you make and do and asks to be apart of that however they can be, I can’t imagine a more rewarding feeling. Not everyone will understand your work or why you do what you do, but when someone gets it and looks up to you for it, so much so that they’re inspired to try it themselves, that’s what it’s all about right there.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.casey-helmick.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c_helm_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/casey-helmick-08a075197/

Image Credits
All images taken by me!