In the studio with Kelsey irvin
Artist Kelsey Irvin
Tell us about your background. When did you start creating art?
I used to draw and sketch from a very young age. I kept sketchbooks and drew my surroundings daily. I would draw my left hand when there was nothing else around. My first job attempt was to be a cartoonist or an illustrator for magazines. I was just a kid. After getting some drawings into a local newspaper I decided to submit cartoons to magazines at a very young age thinking I could be a freelance illustrator. I received enough positive feedback over the years to feel I could do so, why not? But I was really far too young and inexperienced to make it a job just yet. I remember SKI magazine actually taking the time to send me back a very kind rejection letter. I’m guessing by my handwritten submission letter that they knew I wasn’t an adult or a professional, but they took it seriously enough to kindly respond which I really appreciated.
What made you decide to become an artist?
When I was in college I ended up doing the equivalent of triple major. I loved art and knew I wanted to study it, but never thought it was a career option. I thought architecture or interior design would be more likely what I should pursue, something creative that was actually "a job.” So I thought. No one ever told me that there were real professional artists out in the world that made a living making art. Not that anyone should have told me that — I still don’t think everyone entirely realizes that. So, I studied art, but only because I loved it, and wanted to learn about it. But I also had other majors. I became a bit overextended and was spread too thin by my senior year. I was a TA for two professors, worked for the University’s Outdoor program as a rock climbing guide, was a college athlete, and was trying to finish the credits for my multiple majors. I’d probably taken on a few things too many but the college that I went to (St. Lawrence University) was a haven for great opportunities and I hadn’t wanted to say “no" to anything.
During my senior year I got to do an independent study in fine art and I had my own studio space for the first time. It made me absolutely giddy to go into a small studio space and just paint. I could hardly contain myself. But, I had to squeeze studio time in between everything else. I realized that I’d fallen absolutely head over heels in love with painting. It happened the same way you fall in love with a person. Thinking about them all of the time; you can’t wait to spend time with them — that’s how I felt about painting.
Do you remember that saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none?” I’d always loved that saying, because I heard the first part, “Jack of all trades…” I’d always thought that’s what I wanted to be in some way. I loved experiencing many things. Adventure, travel, sports, art, music, design, all of it. My senior year on campus I have this distinct memory of walking across the campus carrying two large canvases that I’d just stretched, one with each arm. I held them by their center brace so the white canvas was facing out on either side of me. It must’ve looked like a giant canvas with feet walking itself across the street. During that moment I was beaming, heading to the studio, happy as ever….and suddenly that saying popped into my head…”Jack of all trades, master of none.” Only this time, I really heard the second part… ”Master of none.” And I suddenly got it. I mean I really got it. I couldn’t possibly become entirely skilled at one thing if I spend so much time trying to do everything else, too. It hit me like a ton of bricks and stopped me in my tracks. I almost dropped the canvases. I had to face the reality that all of my other commitments & interests would end up taking away from my studio time, which was what I wanted to do most. Making art had become my passion. It was a cornerstone moment for me because I had to make the decision to not only start saying “no" to some other opportunities, but I also made the very hard decision to step away from my college lacrosse team my senior year in order to spend more time making art. I think that was the exact moment I started walking down a different path. Instead of being what I always thought I wanted to be, a “Jack of all trades,” I decided to actually pursue truly honing a craft, which takes a lot of time. The fact that not long after that I found myself making art for a living is still beyond my comprehension. I’m very grateful.
Kelsey Irvin in her Laguna Beach, CA Studio
What do you like to listen to in the studio?
I love music and listen to it daily. I enjoy using pandora for custom stations, and then I have favorite albums and musicians on repeat as well. I also have a record player that I use to play vinyl. My record collection is half albums that I listen to and save and half albums that I cut up and use in my work. How convenient! I also love to listen to audiobooks on Audible as well as podcasts. Just depends on what I feel like from day to day.
If you have pets, do you take them to your studio? If so…what breed is your pet and what is it’s name?
We have bengal cats that love to be in my studio with me. They love to watch me work and they are quite amusing to have around. My studio has large glass windows so the cats enjoy sitting on the window ledge and “hunting” for birds, etc. We have coyotes that come onto our property so we are careful not to let them outside but they plenty of room to run and play. Our oldest is named Louella (after Louis Armstrong and Ella Fitzgerald), and our younger 2 are named Zion & Lux. When I do have to sit down at my desk (which I try to avoid during the day as I prefer to be standing and painting as much as possible), I can’t sit down without Louella crawling onto my lap.
What is the one thing in your studio you absolutely could not live without?
Fabric shears and a graphite pencil. I have a lovely collection of scissors, most of which are fabric shears that I use for collage. And, just like when I would sketch as a kid, I always start my pieces with a pencil. Some things never change!
Kelsey Irvin’s Laguna Beach, CA art studio surrounded by vintage ephemera and her bengal cats.
GARDNER COLBY GALLERY - FINE ART GALLERY - NAPLES, FLORIDA