EAOC's Monday Spotlight

Meet EAOC Artist:  Kelly

"Fire In My Eye" - 12x18 inch pastel drawing, matted in a 16x20 inch frame with glass

Etsy Shop:  http://www.etsy.com/shop/misskart 

Tell us about yourself.

I am a creative introverted contemplative young woman. I have a tendency to daydream but not too much. I may come off stuck up at first, but I’m really a friendly, compassionate, funny, easy-going person most find out, just a bit shy. I love art and use it to express my feelings and thoughts and view points. I am always thinking about new ideas for new creations. I love to read good books and write anything from poetry to stories to songs. I love music and always have lyrics swirling around in my head. LOL. I studied visual art and received a B.S. Degree in visual art at Chowan University.

What are you currently doing besides your creative craft?

Currently I am searching for employment, a part-time job that will allow plenty of time for my Etsy business also.

What is the address for your Etsy shop?

http://misskart.esty.com

What do you offer in your Etsy shop?

Original Artwork created by me. I do mostly painting, but I also have drawings, sculpture and ceramics for sale. I do conceptual art along with landscapes and nature scenes and animals. I do custom pet portraits and I will very soon be offering reproductions of my paintings.

Where do you create?

I used to have a whole living room area for a studio in an apartment I used to rent. Recently I moved back home and have an average size bedroom to work in, besides my actual bedroom across the hall. I spend most of my time in my studio. The floor has carpet, so I use a big used table cloth for a drop cloth to do my painting on. But it works well for me because I don’t do any huge paintings or anything like that. I have a drafting table where I do drawing and some painting, a computer desk and lots of storage bins to keep my materials in, and I have various artwork sitting around wherever I can fit it out of the way.

Where do you find your inspiration?

My art is inspired by music, things people say to me, my various moods, and my life experiences good and bad. I don’t fancy and am not so good at expressing how I feel and what I think verbally, so I use art and writing as my voice mostly. Some famous artists that inspire me are Salvador Dali, Frida Kahlo, Gorgia Okeeffe, Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, and Vincent Van Gogh.

How did you get started in you line of business?

I began drawing and writing poetry ever since I first learned how to use a pencil. About 2 years of age or so. I’ve always loved art. I wanted to find a way to create and profit from it too. My aunt told me about Etsy. I had never heard of Etsy. She always encouraged me to do more as far as my art was concerned. So she suggested that I set up a shop and I did.

How do you promote your business?

To promote my business I use the Etsy forums, my blog, twitter, and the Etsy showcases every now and then. I also promote by word of mouth, business cards, e-mail, art shows, and Etsy chat rooms. I am a member of VAST (visual artists street team). Being a part of a good team is great for promotion.

What is one of your most important lessons you’ve learned since starting your business?

I have learned that it is fairly difficult to sell online. It takes a lot of effort, patience, and constant promotion. You can’t just set up your shop and leave it, thinking the sales are going to just drop in your lap. You have to go out and get them. The process is quite humbling. LOL.

What advice would you give someone just starting out?

Refrain from becoming so discouraged because you are not getting good results right away. Be patient. Don’t give up and keep learning about ways to better your Etsy shop. The sales will come when you least expect it. Also, don’t be afraid to sell what you like. There is a great chance that if you like it, other people will too.

What are some of your favorite online shops on and off Etsy?

Ok, I had named more than this earlier. Apparently I’m a fan of many Etsy shops. LOL

somavenus

TheExtentofSilence

AugustEve

Papercraftsbyk

Buttonhead

GumballGrenade

dogartstudio

heatherrobinson

BestArtStudios2

ElizabethGraf

stefny68

skysetter

Shawnaerback

lauratrevey

kellydietrich

amberalexander

artsharkdesigns

thepoppytree

obsoleteworld

Tapestry316

ImagineStudio

oneloveart

Rosiemusic

Paintallnightstudios

MADART

katep

SibylleD

RozArt

SevenWoodsStudio

Shauno

Thelittlefox

Lauren Gregg

What are your other sites (i.e. Blogger, Facebook, Twitter)?

http://twitter.com/mentalityill

http://paintergirlworld.blogspot.com

Congratulations, Kelly, for being an EAOC featured artist!

Tune in on Wednesday to meet our next featured artist.