We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Schafer. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.
Kelly, appreciate you joining us today. Can you share a story about the kindest thing someone has done for you and why it mattered so much or was so meaningful to you?
I think the kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is believing in me even when I didn’t fully believe in myself. A little bit of encouragement can go a long way. As an artist, I don’t have or need a ton of “followers,” but I have relied on at least a few authentic voices other than my own to help push me. Sometimes it only takes one other respected person to help squash self-doubt. I would be creating art no matter what, but I would not be putting it, and myself, out there to the extent that I am were it not for the kindness of others who have offered support and opportunities along the way. And I would be missing so many connections, so much fun, and the growth that ensues both as an artist and as a person. As an educator, I see this as my mission- to actively believe in each student’s potential and to support them in realizing it for themselves. Similarly, as “Amped Art Studio,” my motto is “Celebrate! Appreciate! Amplify!”
Kelly, 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?
Sure. I’m lucky to be a mom, elementary teacher, and visual artist in the Austin area.
I adopted the moniker “Amped Art Studio” to reflect my enthusiasm and the source of so much of my inspiration- music! Majority of my recent work involves depicting musicians I admire, learning and sharing more of their stories in the process. I especially love to honor local musicians from my own community. I work primarily in mixed media on panel. Anything goes! Used guitar strings and picks, stickers, yarn, enamel, acrylic, pastel, colored pencil, Sharpie, coffee beans, etc, etc… My art embodies a spirit of playful, colorful fun. I hope that my enjoyment of the creative process is apparent and may spark some extent of positive interaction.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Celebrate/Appreciate/Amplify sums up what I aim to do for others. What I get back and what keeps me going on my creative journey are Connection/Process/Learning/Joy! There are plenty of things vying for negative attention to drag us down in this crazy world; my art is a conscious effort to seek out and honor the good.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being creative in your experience?
Having this positive outlet. The word process holds multiple meanings for me. Art helps me to process and deal with life’s ups and downs. The creative process that I love getting lost and found in as I’m working on art is important for my health and happiness. I’ll use a line from the song “Hallelujah I’m a Dreamer” by Dave Egan:
“My heart keeps me amused
In this great world of confusion
I’m a dreamer”
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ampedartstudio.com
- Instagram: @AmpedArtStudio
- Facebook: @AmpedArtStudio