I’m a Connecticut-based artist and multimedia storyteller passionate about the interplay between people and their environments, both natural and intentionally designed. I create visual experiences that invite a viewer’s eyes for a dance, eliciting a pause that modern life often neglects.
Background
Diagnosed with Leukemia at the age of four, I was learning how to read while waiting for blood tests and painting in temperas during hospital stays for chemo treatments.
I was born in 1988 and hold a degree in communication from the University of Houston. I studied under artist Sari Shryack and work in acrylic, oil, and digital media.
Community
Originally from Texas, I have resided in Fairfield, Connecticut since 2015. In 2019, I founded Fairfield Shares, an online gift economy serving thousands of neighbors. My work in the group led me to be honored with a day declared in my name in The Town of Fairfield on August 11, 2022.
Artist Statement
My artistic practice draws inspiration from watching my children grow in Fairfield, focusing on the magnificent beauty of mundane daily life: undisturbed natural areas nestled among manicured homes and small businesses.
I use bright daubs of acrylic or oil paint to depict candid snapshots that represent stories of small, precious moments that make up everyday life—in technicolor.
My work explores the relationship between people and their environments. I examine how surroundings shape human behavior and memory. Our memories are deeply rooted in place. Setting carries multitudes of meaning.
My style references impressionism while using playful narratives examining human interaction with surroundings.
The Blog
I maintain tinykelsie.com, a decade-long creative writing platform exploring living a creative life through discussions of artistic output and inspirational input.