Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Sims.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After graduating from Columbia College Chicago with a bachelors in Creative Writing, I moved back to Texas and launched into an unpaid internship at a local magazine. I quickly discovered that even though interning was enjoyable, it wouldn’t get me out from above my parent’s garage any time soon.
I applied for a job at a corporate office, something I initially considered as a creative failure, and plugged into the machine. What I didn’t know, was that this job would change my entire artistic path. Seated behind my desk, with time to kill, I began drawing. I covered the back of old invoices in gardens of flowers, filled yellow post-it notes with women’s faces, and covered my hand in spiraling tattoos. As time wore on, I graduated from doodles to planned-out compositions–I worked at a savage pace to accomplish my office work so I could return to my drawing. I shyly shared some of my work online, and the response was so overwhelmingly, surprisingly positive–I was shocked. It instilled me with the thought that maybe, this weird little passion I had been privately cultivating, was something more.
I decided I wanted to be an artist. I set goals for myself. I wanted to start doing art shows, so I went to a print-shop and had my first machine-heated copies of my art placed in my hands. I emailed and gathered business cards and asked questions–I can’t emphasize the importance of just asking people for opportunities. The worst thing they can say is no, but you’ll never know if it might be a “yes” unless you knock on that door.
I knocked on a lot of doors, and was fortunate enough to have the great humans of “The Denton Gallery” and “Deep Ellum Art Company” answer. A year later, I have art displayed in both Denton and Dallas, I have traveled out of town for shows, sold posters at festivals, and am regularly vending my art locally.
I sometimes wonder, if I hadn’t taken that office job, if I would even be here.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve been very fortunate in my journey thus far, and lucky to have interactions with people that have my best interests at heart. Sure, I’ve had shows where I didn’t make a cent, or was posted in extreme cold or heat with little pay-off, but you take from it what you choose. You start learning. And most of the time, even if I haven’t sold any art at a show and it seems like a loss, I get to share a space with several amazing, talented artists that make the whole thing worth it.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Ladybardust – what should we know?
I specialize in hand-drawn, high-detail, pen and ink artwork bathed in stardust. To accomplish a piece, I typically spend 8-13 hours bent over a sketchbook, wearing a callous into my finger. I think that’s a facet that people who follow or purchase my artwork appreciate, the amount of time spent hand-crafting something.
I am also very proud of the approachability of my art. I’ve sold pieces to little girls and grandparents, punk-rockers and school teachers, stoners and members of the military, country folk and city folk. I want my work to be like a colorful stone found near the ocean, for people to pick it up and bring it home because it pleased their eye. Women, flowers, crystals, planets–these are all things that I believe can be found universally beautiful. We’re constantly bombarded with so many negative images online and on the news, it’s nice to bring something visually-pleasing into the world. With that said, this is also why I price my art very reasonably. I just want people to enjoy it.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Where to start? I can actually visualize my support system as an elevator of hands, all lifting me up and pressing me closer to my destination.
To start, my parents, who offered their assistance and encouragement from the very beginning, and weren’t horrified by my switch in creative fields. My boyfriend, who’s also an artist, for the expert artistic advice at all hours of the day/night. My group of friends, for showing up to my art shows, posting up for hours, and sharing my art habitually online. And finally, my followers and fellow artists on Instagram–for the endless positivity, support, and inspiration they’ve given me from the very first post I made.
Pricing:
- 5 x 7 prints: $5
- 8 x 10 prints: $10
- 11 x 13 prints: $15
Contact Info:
- Email: ladybardust@gmail.com
- Instagram: @ladybardust
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ladybardust
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
