We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelsey Mulholland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelsey below.
Kelsey, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
I started my digital art career as a 12 year old making Tumblr banners in Microsoft paint. I had a beautiful passion for making what were, in hind sight, personal logos for the top of Tumblr users’ pages. I also started designing collages on an app on my phone, making them for some of my friends to post on Instagram. After I grew up a bit and went off to college, I left all of my creativity behind and opted to study Biology thinking it was a safe degree. I wish that I had bet on myself a bit more and looked at my natural creative talents as worth pursuing in college. After I graduated in 2020, I started making my collages again for fun while grappling with what to do with my life. With the support of family and friends that believed in my art, I was able to do an online arts program in design to pivot towards a creative career.
That 4-5 year gap in my art may have been necessary to my pathway back, but I wonder what I could have accomplished had I not given it up. When I turned 23, I moved to NYC for my first job as an art direction fellow at an advertising agency which was my dream. I think my story proves that what is meant for you will always be, and I am so satisfied how everything has unfolded for my creative career despite wishing I started sooner.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
As a digital artist, I often feel misunderstood about my medium, but over time I have realized it’s uniqueness is what sets me apart from others. My digital collages are made just like regular paper collages, but the possibilities while using computer software make the potential for creativity limitless. I put everything together in Photoshop, and since I work as an Art Director, what I learn at my job helps me take my art to the next level and vice versa. I’m really proud of the network of artists I have built for myself while living in NYC, and the opportunities to show my art at group shows that have followed. Making my collages is my passion and I would still be doing it without an audience. However, I have immense gratitude for those who have done as much and like one of my posts or view my art at a show. Getting to share my work is a dream!
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me, the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the opportunity to inspire someone else. A lot of people feel like creativity is a natural born talent, and being able to covey the message that it’s inclusive of everyone is powerful. Whenever someone tells me that my art inspires them, it feels like a metaphorical transfer of super powers that I get to help pass along.
In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?
These days artists rely so heavily on online engagement. In my opinion, the best way to support creatives is to always engage with posts that come across your screen. A like or a comment can go such a long way, and it helps the artist know that what they’re doing matters. I also buy art from people I meet around the world which not only has helped me collect such awesome work, but has supported artists from all over. Show up for those in your creative network and stay engaged with their journey!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kelseymulholland.com
- Instagram: @butterflycheeto
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-mulholland-564116194/
- Other: Tik Tok: @Butterflycheetoxo
