We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kelly O’Neal a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Kelly 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.
I was very young, about 5th grade at the latest. As a child in a small rural town, that presented challenges as my entire school system held less than 200 students and there were no creative course options. Lucky to have had an involved and supportive family and educators.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I became a designer by default and by training. After graduating from UNT, in the early 90’s I opened my first retail entity “Legacy Trading Co.” here in Dallas. The store was edgy, home and apparel based. Sort of Anthropologie before Anthropologie. The store opened lots of doors with client opportunities as well as an opportunity to design and produce custom products. Interior Design over the years has also shown me needed products lacking in the market. Interior Design also led me right back to painting which has become a thriving fine art business in itself. What sets me apart is quite frankly aesthetic and work ethic. I am in my 60’s now and live by my (hashtag) mantra “One thing creative every day”. I have worked long and hard, nothing has come to me easy and I resent any insinuation that I’ve been subject to some sort of “entitlement” or “privelege”. The only way to succeed at something is to WORK at it. It is very rare that I take a complete day off and work 6-7 days a week year-round. Of this I’m proud as I try very hard to give my clients both creativity and value. Neither comes without great effort.
Design Legacy is my wholesale entity. We represent wall covering, textiles, and a wide foray of home goods, all created here in our studios. My original works are represented through Design Legacy to the Design Trade, and we have just launched a new division of archival paper and canvas prints representing my work alongside other artists called “Art by Artists”. As I’ve extensive experience with licensing the one factor that is consistent is that the artist gets very little in return. Our royalty rate, as much as it hurts the bottom line, is almost triple that of the leaders in the home furnishings industry. We (my partner Rene and I) began the program as a way to help artists and creatives make more and feel more respected for their efforts. It’s just a small thing we are doing to “give back” in the universe. In just a few short months, it’s a booming business and I’m very proud of the talents my team and I are amassing with the company.
My Interior Design business is 35 years young and every time I try to back down a little, a new (or former) client presents an exciting project. The business has changed greatly with discount sites constantly undercutting the same products offered me by the same vendors. But as a wholesaler, I walk that same tightrope because of course volume is volume. Many of my peers complain of the changes, but I do feel that as long as the client is willing to pay for creativity, it’s an avenue for that outlet that keeps me motivated. I have worked with a long list of celebrities and locals, rarely having not enjoyed the process and the outcome.
My BFA from the University of North Texas is something I’m most proud of. Coming from a small town with NO formal artistic training and succeeding in such a prestigious program wasn’t easy but as with anything, a challenge makes me a sort of bull-headed workhorse. I LOVED my time in the art department and think I could have been a lifetime student/educator had I not been driven to business acumens. If you are not familiar with UNT, I consider it one of the best educational institutions in Texas and even the world. But admittedly, I am biased.
Lastly, I have a gift and art related line of products launching with Texas-based Buc-ee’s in April. If you’re not familiar with them in your parts, you will be soon. I have already taken heat for this from some of my artist peers, but again (and I hope I’m not beating a dead horse) I’m small-town. I don’t think art should be only for the elite, it should be spread about in any form possible and I was excited about the licensing deal because A) it’s TOTALLY a Texas thang, B) it’s BUC-EE’S!, and C) it gives my friends who wish to support a simple and affordable means to do so. I hope the line succeeds and will be sharing on my Insta-feed when launched. I have to thank the great people at Buc-ee’s for the faith investment and can’t say enough positive things about the experience. They see 67% of the US population in a calendar year and still family owned, Y’ALL!
Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?
This was the simplest of all the options to answer. I frequently interview new talent for one business or another. I’m constantly shocked by the lack of experience tied to the self-worth pay requirements. I wish that creative jobs like those offered by my various entities were plentiful in my youth, but a Graphic Design student was either hired by an advertising firm or maybe freelance. Fine Arts didn’t have the various online platforms of today, so there was very little option for success in that field. Many of my peers dropped out of the creative professions due to lack of reward. I took any job I could get at whatever they were offering to pay to LEARN from the industry. I had at one time three jobs (hell, I still do!) and learned from every one of them. Of course I wanted to move and study abroad, who doesn’t, but tethered to my own income allowances, I simply stayed-put and became the creative sponge. I’ve been in retail display, retail sales, a delivery truck driver, AP/AR, ladies apparel buyer, mens apparel buyer, home furnishings buyer, showroom setup, product designer, textile designer, retail owner, and waiter. All of these bring valuable knowledge. My advice is: GET TO WORK! But, yes. I still regret not leaving Texas for a least a short stint. However, my buying posts have afforded me the opportunity to see the world so I’m calling this life a win!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Art and creative arts are here forever. When you are a creator you leave your mark, for better or for worse at times but it’s there. I enjoy the process, but my familial support is incredibly important to my success. I consider my work team my extended family but of course the blood relatives and my partner, Rene’ have all cheered me on even when they perhaps should not have done so. I think that if you don’t enjoy the creating, you’re doing it wrong. Many of my freinds, now retired, pursued various business-related careers. I’ve watched and listened to their moaning and groaning and now watch as they peel off into “retirement” and I want to say to them “Great! Now go do something you love! Volunteer! Create! Leave your legacy!” I hope that no one thinks this of me when I lay down the tools of my profession! Every day creating is a gift.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.koneal.com
- Instagram: @officialkellyoneal , @koneal_santafe and @design_legacy
- Facebook: K.ONeal and Kelly O’Neal Artist
Image Credits
All photos and products my own personal. thanks