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

Kelsey, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

I feel like when it comes to art, this creative essence becomes an integral part of our being. Because of this, a regular job feels inauthentic and at times, like a cage for a bird. Artists thrive on passion and if that is lacking where we spend so much of our time, that tends to reflect internally. I strongly believe that our passions are no mistake or coincidence – passions are meant to be followed as they guide us towards our soul’s path.

Right now, I’m kind of in an inbetween space between being a full-time artist and working a bunch of small jobs to supplement my bills and living expenses. It gets stressful when self-doubt arises and I crave the security of a full-time job, but I simply cannot escape the inner knowing that I am meant to connect to people and help them connect to themselves in the way that I was able to connect to myself through art.

Becoming an artist has never had the implication of being an easy, or even attainable task, yet so many of us still strive for that goal. I think that says enough about how fulfilling the artistic endeavor truly is for the creative soul.

Kelsey, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am Kels, I oil paint and sculpt, I even take commissions for shoes, walles, purses, etc.! I have always been interested in art and reading. Reading helped me develop a decent understanding of people, of introspection, and what my mind could really offer me in terms of daydream visualization. While reading really developed a huge inner world for me, my upbringing and experiences growing up made it difficult for me to connect with other people. Vulnerability and the ability to communicate my feelings seems to be place within me that lacks vocabulary.

I’ve always had an interest in art, enjoying doodling and playing with ways to create, but there was no connection outside of a fun way of expression until the last 5 years or so. I was looking for inspiration to paint, and saw a ship on a calm sea, so I chose to paint it. While I was painting it, I started choosing gloomier colors, choppier waters, a haunted silhouette of a ship. I felt like I was painting my mind, my heart just an old ship at the mercy of the weather.

It opened a realm in which I could finally take the time to see me, to hear me, to be the one who wanted to figure me out. I’ve painted many ships at sea with different looks and weather, several self portraits, and of course many other things. I’ve cultivated a beautiful relationship with the girl I was, the woman who got me here, the woman I am becoming, and I crave nothing more than doing the same with others. I firmly believe that we can nuture that childlike sense of hope within ourselves by creating art that pays homage to who we were and to what we hope to experience or become.

When I do commissions, I like to have a good dialogue with my clients so they feel safe to develop whatever idea or feeling they want to express. When I create art for someone in any regard, I want them to see a piece of themselves through my hands. Nothing feels better than the excitement of someone’s idea coming to fruition, a reality that they laid the foundations for.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative for me is introducing people to art that compels them to relate. This is especially exciting when people unprompted talk about my ship paintings like the painting itself is telling them a story. I’ve heard people say a painting looks resilient to them like the ship is telling them not to give in, I’ve heard people say paintings to them look like freedom, or even remind them of childhood favorite movies. It is an indescribable warmth to see new facets of people I’ve known or never met, and it’s a beautiful thing to see someone find a piece of themselves that they forgot about.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Please read this not as a rant, but a spark of passion! Haha. I don’t think people understand how lucky we are to live in a society that allows small businesses and individuals to potentially live off of their niche or passions. We have gotten comfortable with fast fashion and disposable décor, fast shipping, and impulse buying. If we become intentional with what we surround ourselves with and invest in supporting artists and small businesses, I think that fully knowing ourselves as individuals and how we fit into our community will be easily attainable. It is my strong opinion that we are here to “know thyself” and a certain separation from mass-produced items or hype items can help clear the sway of targeted marketing. Art, be it through video games, movies, music, home décor, etc., is a primary driving factor for participating in society. Take some time to consider what makes it all “worth it”, how do you unwind? How do you slow down? What things make your home feel like a sanctuary from the outside world?

Contact Info:

• Website: kelseyweirickart.squarespace.com
• Instagram: @kweirickdoesart, @goforkels
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kweirickart
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelsey-weirick-b8795bb7/
• Other: tiktok.com/goforkels3

Image Credits
All photos and paintings taken and made by myself