Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ellie Kelly. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Ellie, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I can’t think of a time when I didn’t have a few creative projects in progress. I love experimenting with different media and have taken several classes in oil painting, acrylics, watercolor, 3-d art and ceramics, drawing, and mixed media over the years. Until around 6 years ago, I always made art as a hobbyist. While I still maintain a full-time career in the nonprofit sector, I started selling art on a very small scale a few years ago. This has grown to now include dozens of designs and multiple avenues over the years, and I think I have found a happy medium where I can still do the meaningful nonprofit work that I love, while maintaining work-life balance and selling art on the side. I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to sell my art, and so honored when people buy it!

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.

I primarily sell prints, cards, and bookmarks featuring my watercolored paintings. I love to create in diverse media, but my watercolor art is what is most widely available for purchase. As an avid bookworm, I especially love to paint literary designs, like a Jane Austen birthday card, a Tolkien graduation card, and Maya Angelou bookmark. I also love to dream up cute animal greeting card designs and offer a few varieties in my shop. I am often inspired to paint things for the people I love in the world…I painted a birthday card with my sister in mind, Father’s and Mother’s Day cards that I thought my parents would love, and a recovery card for my best friend when she was undergoing treatment. I work on a very small scale, printing cards in small batches in the US and personally packaging and shipping items to customers. While I would love to see the business grow beyond my capacity, I enjoy that I can be involved in every step as a very small shop. I sell my cards locally at a shop called Heights Arts near my home in Cleveland Heights and online on Etsy.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I had sought out other communities of artists earlier on in my artistic career. Since I joined more artist groups and grew a community, the sharing of information and resources, the camaraderie, and the community among other creative folks has been invaluable.

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

It is so rewarding to connect with the people who buy my art. I feel truly honored and I love to hear why someone connected with a particular piece.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.jollycolors.art/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jollycolorsstudio/
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/jollycolors