We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jessica Kelly a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Jessica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.
Ever since I was a little girl, I knew I wanted to be a Visual Artist. I had a vast imagination and colorful dreams throughout my childhood. Before having the understanding of the medium mixed media, I spent most of my time drawing, painting, and using household items as materials to create unique pieces. Some of my favorite mediums to use as a child were watercolor paint, pastels, acrylic paint and graphite pencil. I created non-representational asemic paintings using line, shape and color. As my craft developed, I realized that I wanted to pursue my passion for art as a career. To motivate myself as a young artist, I discovered new ways to create using other mediums such as clay, mixed media and digital art. Despite the common belief that art cannot be pursued as a real career, my passion for art led me to North Carolina A&T for my B.A. in Media Design. After undergrad, I attended Howard University in Washington, D.C. to obtain my MFA in Fine Arts Painting. During this time, I perfected my craft and turned my passion into a career. I have exhibited in art exhibitions along the east coast, created public murals for communities and schools, taught art as a public school teacher, and now as a Visual Arts Professor. This journey has strengthened me as an artist and shown me the impact that art has had on the world. I use my art to tell stories, connect with my community, and record history through meaningful images.
Jessica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jessica Kelly and I am a visual artist from Charlotte, North Carolina. My love and passion for art as a child has developed into a career. I entered the industry as a young artist with a desire for knowledge. Throughout college, I committed myself to learning art techniques and art history. I began entering into art exhibitions, painting murals and art teaching opportunities with the youth to gain more knowledge within the industry. Through my journey, I witnessed how art can benefit mental health and stress for myself and people of all ages. I have also experienced effortlessly expressing my emotions and thoughts in creating a piece of art. Using fluid materials like paint, has helped me process my thoughts and express my inner feelings. I love to create paintings, sculptures, logos, and murals not only for myself but commissioned clients as well. I also have the pleasure to host “paint and sip” events and conduct art workshops for students and adults.
The art I create has the ability to be used as a tool to capture the attention of the community with the intent to inform them of ideas and products that are beneficial. The feeling that art can give oneself is what brings me the most joy. The art pieces I create help spread unity, love and history through their eclectic visuals with intricate details. I incorporate my personal experiences and circumstances when creating art which allows my work to be relatable. I love to capture moments that reflect past and current events.
When creating my pieces I put a lot of emotion in it by focusing all my attention on the art and the message I want to convey. I want the viewer to feel the layers of emotion, time and history it takes to create a piece. Art is a way to express, learn, grow and heal. I want people to experience art as a tool of expression as well as witness the art of others to gain a new perspective of this human experience.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
My goal as an artist is to help uplift the community by sharing my perspective of the world through my art. Art has been a tool in helping me find my voice by having the ability to articulate my ideas and feelings through images. Art has also taught me many lessons about myself and my culture. Art has given me the confidence to have pride in my African heritage and express that in timeless pieces. Creating images that positively reflect my community, can spark thoughtful conversation with the benefit to inflict change. My mission is to spread self love, positivity, peace and understanding among the human race using color and connectivity.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
Throughout my artistic journey, I unlearned a lot about the process of creating. I had the idea that you need expensive materials to create quality art. I have since learned that art can be made from anything! I was forced to experiment with art materials during college because of the lack of resources. I was able to create art using materials that I had at home or materials that are inexpensive. I started collecting random items from nature, trash or thrift shops that gained value and representation for my current situation that I wanted to express. Now that I have more stability, I have the option to purchase an array of materials. However, I understand the option of using expensive or inexpensive tools and materials when creating. Quality art doesn’t take alot of money, it takes critical thinking and creativity.
Contact Info:
- Website: Jessicakelly.art
- Instagram: @jesskelly23