Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Paulus.
Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I have been drawing since I was 10 years old but didn’t pick up a paint brush until 2015 when I was looking for a new hobby. I fell head over heels in love with watercolor and developed my inspiration from one artist in particular, Laovaan, who uses bright colors and the water to create a flow of emotions in painting women. Soon after I began to paint, my co-worker asked me to do one of her dogs. At the time I was not interested in painting animals or doing custom portraits, but I ended up doing it for her and the requests quickly piled up after that. I ended up getting hooked on painting animals and also started to come out with my wildlife series and people began to request prints. I was able to turn both pet portraits and my wildlife series into a small business for side income.
Please tell us about your art.
I find so much inspiration in painting the beauty of people and the fun personalities of animals. With my wildlife series, every time I think of new animals to paint I envision them in fun and bright colors with water drips and splashes which comes to me from the personalities I imagine them to have. I paint them for myself but also because other people love them! They make people smile. With my raw beauty series, I paint my subjects in the pure beauty of black and white, which I have always felt was powerful in art and photographs and combine it with another element of vibrant colors which adds life. With both series and my custom pet portraits, the main goal of my art is to ignite emotion. Whether that be happiness or sorrow, I want people to ‘feel’ when they look at my art.
What do you think about conditions for artists today? Has life become easier or harder for artists in recent years? What can cities like ours do to encourage and help art and artists thrive?
On one hand, I think life for artists has become easier in terms of being able to share their art with the world through social media and the internet, have unlimited resources for developing their skills, and so many platforms to sell their work. On the other hand, I think competition is stronger than ever with so many talented artists around the world striving for similar goals and it can be overwhelming for emerging artists who haven’t quite built a strong following. I think San Diego is doing an amazing job encouraging and helping art and artists thrive. Hanalei Artworks and The Studio Door are great examples of artists helping artists chase their dreams by hosting events, vending opportunities, and galleries. The art walks are truly amazing events throughout San Diego as well for both professional and emerging artists and I think these along with small local boutique shops and galleries are key for keeping art alive.
How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
I currently have a space at a local artist boutique, Creative Crossroads, in Hillcrest in which I sell prints and merchandise of my wildlife series. I also frequently participate in events through Hanalei artworks and other local San Diego art events. To support my work, people can stop in to Creative Crossroads, follow me on social media, and visit my Etsy shop (https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChelseaAynaArt)!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chelseaaynaart.com/
- Email: info@chelseaaynaart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chelsea_ayna_art/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChelseaAynaArt/
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChelseaAynaArt
Image Credit:
Chelsea Ayna Art
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