Today we’d like to introduce you to Kirsten Ivey.
Hi Kirsten, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was one of those kids who was always drawing. I got more serious about it in high school, taking art all four years. But, like most kids who love art, I was told that I would need to get a “real job”. So I actually became a high school math teacher. Once I started teaching, I didn’t really have time to make art anymore. There was almost a full decade where I didn’t paint or draw at all. Fast forward to the pandemic, I realized that after 8 years of teaching I was burned out and I wanted to flip my life upside down. I switched to a low stress office job, and suddenly I had free time again. I wasn’t grading papers and lesson planning every night so on a whim I decided to pick up some water colors and a sketchbook. That was a turning point. I started painting after work, on the weekends, sometimes for 8 hours straight. I felt like I had turned on a faucet and I just couldn’t stop. My husband would have to come in and remind me to eat. It was like this flood of creative energy that I couldn’t get out fast enough.
My work wasn’t great, it was like I was starting all over again. But that part didn’t matter. I just kept painting and getting ideas out on paper. During this time, I also started meeting a bunch of local artists at the Sketch Party nights at the Whistle Stop. It was someone from Sketch Party who encouraged me to apply to a local art show. I was nervous, filled with self-doubt and this voice in my head telling me that I wasn’t a “real artist”. But I went for it anyway. My piece didn’t sell but it was fun, and I decided I wanted to keep doing it. So I kept making art and applying to shows and before I knew it, I had been in more than 20 art shows around San Diego. And miracle of miracles, sometimes my pieces would sell. I started vending as well over the last year, mostly selling prints of my work, and I’ve been so pleasantly surprised by the awesome response from people. I also have a thriving commissions business doing pet and people portraits. And this last month I actually sold 5 original paintings. It’s been an incredible journey. Five years ago I would have never predicted that I would be making and selling my art. I feel so blessed.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
In the beginning, I was really self-conscious about sharing my work. I would be filled with self-doubt and worry that everyone was thinking it was dumb or stupid. But I finally got to a point where I realized – nobody cares. And I mean that in the best way possible. Nobody is obsessing about you, you’re the only one doing that. Just get out of your own head and make stuff. Just start creating. Whether it’s “good” or “bad” is irrelevant, just engage in creating. The rest will fall into place on it’s own.
Along the way, I’ve been rejected from a few art shows. Also, there’s been a lot of art shows where my piece didn’t sell. In fact, that’s the norm (because buying original paintings is a luxury few people can afford). But I think in the beginning, I had a hard time separating those things from my self worth. I would get pretty down on myself. Now I just roll with it and focus on making art. The other stuff is just noise.
Also, social media. Ugh, I hate that to be an artist these days you have to also be a content creator. I just don’t love putting myself out there like that. I feel dorky making reels. But at the same time, my Instagram is the main way people find out about me. So I get that it’s a necessary piece. I am trying to reframe the way I look at it, and be better about sharing my art process and journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a painter. I don’t stick to one medium. Instead I bounce around between watercolors, acrylics, and oils. And I have a pretty wide array of subjects: from landscapes, to portraits, to surreal dreamscapes. I used to worry about not being “cohesive” but a wise artist friend told me to stop focusing on that and just paint whatever sparks the most excitement in you. Any kind of style will naturally evolve over time. So that’s what I’ve done and I think that my work has in a way become cohesive on it’s own because it’s all coming from my point of view. I am a native San Diegan and I think that really comes through in my landscapes and desert scenes. I’m also a woman and I find myself painting portraits of women or the female form. I love doing pieces that inspire women to love their bodies or that showcase the beauty of women through the female gaze. Lastly, I am also Peruvian American, the proud daughter of an immigrant, and many of my pieces are inspired by that Latino heritage. Often my paintings are my way of trying to better connect with my roots.
My paintings vary, but my style has formed: vividly colorful, expressive brush strokes, full of emotion and life. Or, at least, that’s what I’m going for haha.
How do you think about happiness?
Painting, it’s truly therapeutic for me. If I’m feeling anxious, a good paint sesh helps me out. Also, I LOVE connecting with people at my vendor events. I never imagined being able to share my art with so many people or have so many people feel connected to my pieces. It makes me feel SEEN in a way that is so fulfilling it’s hard to put into words.
And non-art related things that bring me joy: my husband who is my best friend, my dogs who are my literal babies, and my friends and family whom life wouldn’t be complete without.
Pricing:
- Pet portrait commission – $100
- People portrait commission – $100
- Art prints 8×10 – $20
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yellowmoonart.com
- Instagram: yellow.moon.art
