Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly French.
Kelly, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I have been an artist my whole life but didn’t really take it seriously until I graduated high school in 2014. Since then, I have slowly worked my way from not understanding basic anatomy to being in my first art show, opening up my shop for commissions, and making prints of my artwork. Now I am looking to become a comic book artist in the future as well as working hard as an acrobat.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
In both art and circus, I have been told that I couldn’t make it far. My family and friends were skeptical at the beginning when I wanted to tell them that I was going to become an acrobat and even more so when I changed my major to art. Once the people around me started to support me, I was much more motivated to hone my skills but my next biggest issue was my own mental health. I started therapy for my anxiety and depression in 2019 when I was diagnosed and though it hasn’t been an easy path, I am pushing through to become the best version of myself as well as continuing to improve in my crafts.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
At the moment, I mostly take on character design commissions. I am very into gaming and fantasy, so most of my commissioned pieces are based around pop culture, Dungeons and Dragons, or anything relatively nerdy that people can come up with. I am trying to expand into making merchandise such as stickers and prints and am most excited to open up my own online shop in the future.
What were you like growing up?
As a kid, I was very set on living up to the expectations of the people around me. I tried to be the best athlete, excel in school, and do whatever I could to make people proud of me. I tried all the available sports at my schools and eventually settled on aerial silks in high school to pursue further when I graduated. Art was major in my life and I decided that it would be my best path after trying so many other majors and not finding enough interest in any of them. Now I am happily finding a career in art and I firmly believe in pursuing what you love and not what the world tells you you should do.
Contact Info:
- Email: kelly.french32@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awildfrenchieart/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awildfrenchieart/
- Other: https://www.redbubble.com/people/awildfrenchie/shop?asc=u
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