Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelsey DeLange. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Kelsey thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Earning a full time living from one’s creative career can be incredibly difficult. Have you been able to do so and if so, can you share some of the key parts of your journey and any important advice or lessons that might help creatives who haven’t been able to yet?

My journey as a full-time creative is one that started with very humble beginnings. At the end of 2013 I was working part time at a job that really drained my spirit, but I discovered a source of genuine happiness in painting as a hobby. I started sharing some of my art online as a creative outlet, and to my surprise, my it really started to gain momentum. I found myself pretty quickly inundated with messages from people wanting to purchase my work, and it became pretty clear that I needed to take this as a sign so I eventually started my first online shop with no inkling where it would all eventually lead.

I’d work on my art late at night at the kitchen table after my son had drifted off to sleep. Our tiny apartment was quickly overtaken with shipping supplies and boxes of products just about anywhere they could fit. At one point I even had to repurpose our bathroom closet to house the rolls of bubble wrap, boxes, and tape – it’s funny to look back on, really. Needless to say it quickly became very apparent that I needed my own home studio so that our family, and my business could have the space it needed to grow.

I didn’t have a predefined roadmap or a meticulously crafted business plan. In fact, I don’t believe I even knew what a business plan was at the time. I just started with what I had, learning valuable lessons through trial and error, diligent research, and constant practice along the way.

Pretty early on, I was presented with really incredible opportunities to collaborate with major national brands on custom clothing lines and creative illustration-focused marketing projects, which introduced my work to a broader audience. My art also caught the attention of prominent media outlets, and I was featured in gift guides and on their social media platforms. It felt surreal at the time – and, honestly, it still does on some days – but that’s when I began to realize that there was some real potential here.

Three years later in 2017, I was able to leave my part-time job and pursue my art full-time while staying home and raising my son, which has been the greatest gift of all and something that I am deeply grateful for every day. Being a full-time creative hasn’t always been easy, there have been deep seasons of self-doubt and questioning, but I truly believe that it is my purpose on this planet to positively impact and inspire the lives of others through my art.

My best advice for fellow creatives looking to create income from their art is to just start where you are while being dedicated to learning and growing along the way. I think too often we’re paralyzed by perfect and think everything has to be just right before we show the world what we’re up to. My own work has transformed and evolved a lot over the years, as has the way I have approached the business side of things but the purpose has always been the same: to uplift and inspire others, and to make everyday feel a little more magical. By just showing up imperfectly and sharing my humanness I’ve also had the opportunity to make a lot of really incredible connections along the way – many of the customers who bought my first designs all of those years ago are still here, a decade later, continuously encouraging and supporting my work. The stories that I get in my inbox about how a friend gifted them one of my prints at a really pivotal time in their life and it was exactly the message they needed to hear is so deeply touching and rewarding. It’s the impact that sharing our art has on others that means the most and waiting until everything is perfect is robbing the world of experiencing all that you have to offer.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Of course! I am a full-time illustrator and designer and run a small batch art and product shop called Best Wishes out of my home studio in Grand Rapids, MI. I make bold artwork that captivates your attention, evokes emotion, and transports you to a world of wonder and joy. A lot of the inspiration for my work comes from my upbringing – it was far from easy, and the struggles growing up embedded in me a deep sense of empathy and understanding. I know how dark life can sometimes be, so I’ve made it my mission to make the world a little brighter – to create art that uplifts others and inspires them to access their inner strength and craft a life that feels like magic.

I blend vivid, soul-stirring colors with whimsical hand drawn illustrations and hand lettered messages and mantras that serve as a daily reminder to persevere and embrace life with an open heart. My artistic journey has unfolded across several mediums – which I think is a testament to my personality; I just love so many things and want to do it all (though I primarily work in watercolor and gouache paints, as well as digitally). I also find deep joy in creating intentional, small batch items such as mugs, journals, stationery, sun catchers and more, that fit into your daily life. I feel like these items are never “just a mug” or “just a journal”, but more so an invitation to immerse yourself in the present moment and kindle inspiration on the path to manifesting your dreams.

In addition to my art and product offerings, I am also a brand designer and have recently ventured into the world of murals. As a brand designer, it is such a deep joy and honor to be trusted with creating the visual representation of my clients’ dreams. I work closely with them to transform their vision into impactful brands that resonate with their ideal community and effectively communicate their aspirations and values. As I journey further into murals I hope to create impactful art at a large scale evokes deep emotion, brings people together and transforms an ordinary space into a magical world of fantasy and wonder.

But I think the most special thing about what I do is the level of connection that I foster with my clients and customers. The relationships I’ve built over the years are not transactional; they’re rooted in genuine care and intention. Many of the customers and clients that I worked with at the very beginning of my career are still here. I’ve had the opportunity to make custom art for their weddings, then their baby’s nursery years later, we’ve worked together on several branding projects for small businesses they’ve started over the years, they support me at every art and product launch; I don’t think I fully realized this until recently, but this level of unwavering support and loyalty that is a true testament to the depth and meaning in the connections I’ve cultivated.

Everything I make whether it’s a piece of art or a mug to start off a mindful morning is designed to resonate with you on a deep level and make each moment a little more magical.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is absolutely the ability to inspire and uplift others through my work. Creating something that resonates with people on an emotional level and that touches their lives in meaningful ways is a source of immeasurable joy. Art has a unique capacity to transcend so many barriers, offering a universal language of emotion and expression. When someone connects with my work and finds solace, joy, or encouragement within it, it reinforces the idea that art has the potential to change lives, to bring comfort, and to ignite a spark of creativity in others.

It’s a humbling experience to receive messages from so many individuals who have been deeply moved or motivated by something I’ve created over the years. The ability to elicit these emotions and healing in others is such a gratifying and meaningful aspect of being a creative; it’s what fuels my passion and drives me to continue pursuing my artistic journey.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Artists and designers make our world more vibrant and beautiful, and the harsh reality is that if we fail to support them, they can’t support themselves with their craft and they aren’t able to create the things we so deeply love and enjoy so it’s important that we recognize the importance and significance of our support as individuals. You can do this buy supporting artists financially by buying their work and commissioning custom pieces. Instead of running to a big box store next time you’re in need of a gift or redecorating your home, consider supporting the artists that you admire – not only are you giving a great gift or enriching your surroundings but you’re also supporting the livelihood of a real person just trying to live out their dreams.

If you can’t support artists financially, support their work online! You can engage with them on social media, share their work, and interact with their posts – it sounds small but it really does significantly amplify their reach and visibility so that they can keep on making the art that you love and enjoy. Spread the word about your favorite artists – tell your family and friends about their work, or consider nominating them for community recognition or press features. You can also just send them a heartfelt message letting them know how much their work means to you, I promise you that reading those messages means the absolute world to a creator and is such a boost of encouragement.

Art makes the world a better and more beautiful place and it’s up to each and every one of us to support artists in whatever ways we can so that they can continue to enrich the world around them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bybestwishes.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/best.wiishes
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/bybestwishes
• Other: Threads: @best.wiishes

Image Credits
Portrait photos are by Photos by Lisa, LLC