We were lucky to catch up with Gail Kelley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Gail, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your career and how did you resolve those issues?

My art is custom original oil paintings of animals, mostly dogs, mostly pets. Something I never thought about from the view of a store owner is that they want to give space to items that will sell and reduce inventory. I have had a difficult time finding any store owner that will take one of my paintings to hang as an example of my work and then work with the customer to create a commission, meaning an original of their pet.

Once an image has been selected, then it takes 6-8 weeks to deliver. So the store is not getting an immediate sale and I am taking up wall space.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

While I was working I worked through getting a Fine Arts degree from the College of Art and Design in Columbus, OH. I graduated in 2009. So I had income and time to not really focus, out of necessity, on what to do with my degree. I enjoyed life drawing, but as I looked at friends homes, I did not see a lot of nude paintings…..hmmm. You would think at 50+ years old I would have done more exploring about what I could do with my degree.

I took my two English Setters to a daycare and in taking with the owners they suggested animal paintings: they have eyes, noses, muscles, etc. They also generously offered to use their walls for my work. That is how I got started. Many of my first commissions were from daycare clients.

My work is focused on originality. You are getting an original oil paining, not something manipulated from a photo.

The best compliment I can receive is :’It looks just like them!’. It means that I have captured the way the client will remember their pet. I have a painting of one of my setters that is of her running from me, but that is how I remember her best.

I use client photos as reference and work with them to find the image they love and one that I know will become a great composition.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I love seeing the response of the client when I deliver a painting. Their focus leaves me and stays on the painting. I have done many as gifts, delivering in a parking lot, or shipping to a neighbor to keep the surprise.

I have done many after a beloved pet has passed away and seen the spark in the clients face when they see the painting. That keeps me painting.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I really haven’t excelled at social media, so any help from those reading this will be appreciated. I am pretty low key, and maybe just a little lazy. What do I talk about, how do I generate interest without sounding like I am begging……really unsure of this audience and how to engage with it. Argh.

Contact Info:

• Website: gooddogart.net
• Facebook: Good Dog Art

Image Credits
Gail Kelley