Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Keesler.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I was fortunate to grow up in a creative family, particularly one with strong, entrepreneurial women, and have made things all my life. In elementary school, I made drawings requested by friends. When I was about 12 years old, I started selling jewelry and wire bookmarks to make a little spending money. It wasn’t until I became an adult, experienced a series of unsatisfying jobs after a major layoff with the company I’d worked with for years, and was diagnosed with some chronic health issues, that I began to seriously pursue going into business for myself. My mom and I sold handmade items together for a while, then a friend asked me to paint some letters for their new baby’s nursery, and then a few more people put in orders, and I found myself a painter, even though I’d never considered myself one.
Then, I met a friend’s mom, who painted faces for an event I helped organize, and she suggested I look into face painting. At the beginning of the next year, I discovered the first BodyCon Dallas event, a convention for face painters and entertainers, and the rest, as they say, is history. I’ve been face painting professionally for about four years now, began body painting a couple of years ago, and continued my journey with painting on canvas and other objects by taking commissions for kids and adults. I love making people’s lives a little brighter with art, whether it’s a smiling kid playing pretend, a more confident, transformed adult, or a client hanging a piece of my work in their home.
Please tell us about your art.
I face and body paint, and I also paint on canvas (and other surfaces,) and make mixed media art. Face “paint” isn’t actually paint – it’s makeup. I only use professional grade products – water activated and alcohol activated cake makeup, cosmetic glitter, airbrush makeup, and a variety of brushes and stencils. When I face paint, my inspiration is the joy and energy of the kids (and adults) who sit in my chair. When I body paint or paint on canvas, I’m inspired by a variety of things – architecture, pop culture, causes close to my heart, and sometimes just my imagination. Commissions, of course, are often inspired by what’s important to other people, which is a fun way to get to know them a little. I hope that people take inspiration away from what I make to pass along.
As an artist, how do you define success and what quality or characteristic do you feel is essential to success as an artist?
Success comes in so many forms, usually thought of as money and notoriety, which aren’t bad things at all (especially in the case of money, which is a great survival tool.) My favorite successes usually come in the form of personal progress, though – a skill I’ve practiced and become comfortable with, or a nugget of wisdom about business I’ve put into practice. So, I think that an important characteristic to achieve success is the desire and motivation to branch out of your bubble. Actively learn new things, meet new people, experience new events, strive to be a better business person, and a better artist. Be open to opportunities, even if especially if they’re out of your comfort zone.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
You can find examples of my work, and follow me on Facebook and Instagram – @Facesbychelseak, and @Artbychelseak. You can message me or email me about parties, events, appointments, commissions, and other projects. I also post there about public events in the area where my followers can find me. I don’t currently have any art on exhibit, but you can find the Little Free Library I was commissioned to paint at Canyon Grove Apartments in Grand Prairie, TX. (If you can, take a book or two with you to drop off!)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.facebook.com/artbychelseak
- Email: facesbychelseak@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/facesbychelseak/
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/facesbychelseak
Image Credit:
UV Body Paint: Photo by Jeremy LaRue, modeled by Brittni Carraway
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