We recently connected with Kelly Hartman and have shared our conversation below.

Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Have you been able to earn a full-time living from your creative work? If so, can you walk us through your journey and how you made it happen? Was it like that from day one? If not, what were some of the major steps and milestones and do you think you could have sped up the process somehow knowing what you know now?

I always knew that my life path would be different, even from a young age. Following a rough high school experience I didn’t think college would be for me, so I took a year to work in the tourist field in Gardiner, Montana. That work didn’t sit right, so I changed my mind and went to Northwest College in Powell, WY for two years before finishing up my education with a BFA in Painting from Western Oregon University. I knew I’d found my calling with art but didn’t know how to find my place yet. I spent nearly ten years in the history museum industry as a director, curator and author all the while dreaming of what it would be like to create full time. In 2022 I left my curation job and pushed myself into my art supplementing my income by working as a barista for two days a week. This Wednesday, March of 2023, I am officially embarking on a full time career as an artist. For the past three years I was making art in every spare moment I had. I am thrilled to be in a place where I can breathe again!

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

I grew up in the mountains, quite literally, in a tiny valley just half a mile from Yellowstone National Park. My parents are naturalist photographers who showed me a career in the arts was possible. Following graduation from Western Oregon University, I moved back home to Montana. I have always known that I wanted to be an artist, but never was I more inspired then when seeing my mountain home with fresh eyes. After spending three years as director of the Cooke City Montana Museum, I moved to Bozeman where I spent five years as the curator of the Gallatin History Museum. I am now embarking on a journey to pursue my art full time!

My work, inspired by nature, comprises of many mediums. A painter by training, I enjoy watercolor and acrylic landscape and floral painting and plein air. This year I am focusing on combining my passions in mixed media works that combine block printing, embroidery and painting. I love to create art that people can wear like embroidered earrings as well as pieces people can enjoy in the home like nature inspired candles and fine art.
I also have found a home teaching others in the mediums of printmaking, embroidery, painting and drawing.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Yes, the power of community with other creatives. As an introverted artist I spent a long time creating in my own little bubble while struggling to feel understood, seen and confident in my work. This past year I’ve gotten to know other creatives both in my local area and online and have found those interactions to be an incredibly important resource in my journey. The sense of place and belonging is validating, but more than that, the sharing of ideas, struggles and wins has helped both myself and others in finding our own paths. My interactions include spending time not just with peers in the creative industry, but also with my students and sharing my knowledge base while learning from their different perspectives.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My goal as an artist is to bring nature into peoples everyday lives through fine art, wearable art and teaching. In 2021 I was diagnosed with depression and realized I had lived with that struggle for much of my life. Creating art and sharing a love of nature and it’s healing powers with others informs all I do. Since finding embroidery as a medium I’ve become passionate about sharing the beauty of the slow craft with others. My embroidery kits are made with hope that those who make them find the peace and presence that I feel when stitching.

Contact Info:

• Website: studio-308.com
• Instagram: _studio_308_
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/studio.308/