We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Daniel Kelly. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Daniel below.
Hi Daniel, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
Creativity and artistic endeavors were always close by throughout my childhood. As a kid I loved to draw and write stories but never thought too far into making it my career. Fast forward to graduating my senior year of high school, I was left with a decision to make on what I’d study in college. I chose nursing out of feeling like I didn’t know what else I’d do. I had lost touch with my creative roots that flow so heavily within me. As I went through the pre-nursing program at the college I attended, it dawned on me what I truly wanted to do with myself. I enjoyed learning about all the nursing program was teaching me, but it didn’t resonate in my heart and soul. Which left me to turn to what always has. Art. Once I realized what my calling truly was, I put full effort into my artistic vision and designs. From that point forward I started the mission of making my art my career. A mission I’m still on and moving headstrong with. I’m very grateful for the lessons, hardships, and opportunities that decision has given me. I’m on a life long journey of artistic creation and expression. One I wouldn’t trade for the world!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Daniel Kelly, I’m 24 years old, and a self-taught artist out of a small town called Springfield, Ohio. I choose to express myself through painting, drawing, sewing (clothing), and poetry. Oil painting is my medium of focus. As I started my journey towards making art my career, my first focus was designing and making clothing (circa 2018). Drawing has been a staple of my expression since I was a kid, but fashion spoke heavily to me as I explored my own style through high school and on. In 2019, I made a move with some friends to LA. The goal was to find better fabrics and opportunities. One week in, my sewing machine broke.. Which left me very disheartened. I was determined to still make the most of my time out there, and decided to pick up drawing again. When I returned home after our few month venture, the idea of painting came to mind. I started painting during the very beginning of the Covid lockdown, so I had ample time to practice my new craft. Little did I know that painting would become my love and my medium of focus! I’m only three years in to my painting experience and I’ve started to develop a style I can call true to myself. My understanding of color/color theory led to a smooth transition into painting and where I’ve found most of my success in executing how I’d like. I’m currently working on a portrait series that delves into my inner world/ parts of myself. The name of it is called ‘Hyperboles of Self’ . As I type this I am currently working on the concluding piece for the series, and couldn’t be more excited to show when finished! I’m very interested in reflecting glimpses of my feelings, thoughts, and emotions on subjects I find meaningful to show the viewer. I desire to create a sense of honesty and vulnerability within my work that allows the viewer to open up within themselves as well. I challenge the viewer to question their own authenticity and bask in the uniqueness that we all have.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I very strongly believe that I am here on this earth to inspire, heal, and create. Through my art I desire to inspire anybody who sees, to follow their dreams/vision. I want to execute my vision to the highest extent of my being to show what’s possible. I desire to heal, not only myself, but the viewer through the transparency and vulnerability shown in my pieces.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being an artist for me, is executing my vision exactly how I’d like to. To be able to make something out of nothing. I see the world in a very sensitive lens, which all artists do. It’s a gift we’ve been given. One I don’t feel we should take lightly either. The world needs art and always will. I feel much purpose and necessity with what I create.