Check out Coley Kuyper’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Coley Kuyper.

Coley, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I grew up with a passion for drawing and painting. Both my mom and my dad’s sides of the family have a long history of artists. I grew up watching my Grandfather on my mother’s side draw and paint in his studio as he made a side living off of selling his talented work. There was rarely a day gone by, even still today, where I didn’t have a paint brush in hand or was learning how to draw letters in different ways. I spent most of my days in school doodling or asking to draw on my teacher’s chalkboards for them, which lead me to wanting to make art my focus in college. I spent 4 years of college learning new skills and honing in what I loved about drawing and painting.

For years I was asked to create commissioned pieces for people, from clothing designs, to paper products, to giant murals. It wasn’t until a year after I got married that my husband really encouraged me to step into making this a business for myself. It has been a long learning process of figuring out how to value the work I create and sell that to the world. It’s a completely vulnerable position to be in to create something that’s so near to me that came from my heart and passion and then to showcase that for the world to see.

I know without my husband’s encouragement and the vast majority in my life doing the same I wouldn’t be doing what I do. I’ve grown more confidant over the years with my work, especially since I’ve become a mother. Having my kids watch me do something I’m passionate about gives me more reason to do this thing. And watching them create from their own desires and passions too brings me the most joy! They continue to teach me the value of being creative in our own unique ways, with the different perspectives and gifts we’ve each been created with. It humbles me and gives me deep gratitude. That I get to do this for a living, especially as people continue to allow my artwork to be a part of their lives.

We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
The general answer is that I’m a freelance artist specializing in watercolor painting and hand lettering. In this season this is what I’ve been doing most, although in years past I have also focused on larger scale oil and acrylics paintings. I have been a painter my whole life, which is what I always come back to at the end of the day. For my business I create paper products such as greeting cards, wrapping paper, notepads, invitations and art prints. For my freelance work I have been commissioned for pattern designs, hand lettered murals, restaurant menus and more.

As I continue to learn and grow in my business my hope is that my work would bring people inspiration, hope, and a sense of belonging. That it wouldn’t just be a cute greeting card or pretty picture, but something that they could put on display in their home because the words on the front or the piece I painted meant something to them and their own story. When I create pieces there is always a part of my heart that is embedded into it, there’s always a deeper part of the work because it came from a part of my own story and who I am. When other’s see my work and it evokes something in them that says “me too”, that’s what brings me joy and that’s why I love bringing my own work into this world. I know there are many talented artists out there, but each of us are created vastly different and unique in our own ways. So, when my work brings a part of my story into someone else’s story, that’s when I get to remind myself that this is why I continue to create.

What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
I think it’s so easy, especially today, to get caught up in the number of followers and amount of sales being a defining point of “making it” or not. While those things certainly help in business and are necessary, I think success is a different thing. I’m growing in my own idea of this and recently I’ve been less and less interested in gaining the mass number of followers and instead focusing on the people that do choose my work and being thankful for those that let me into their lives. Success to me has meant taking the risk when I’m terrified of the outcome, or showing up again when I feel defeated.

It is not letting the superfluous things define me and my work, like followers and likes, and instead reminding myself that my identity doesn’t lie in what someone else thinks of me. It is choosing to be ok with the process and being content in the moment I’ve been given right now. Sometimes it even means knowing when to put the work away for the day so I can play with my kids and in turn become more inspired and motivated to do better work the next day. I think being a risk taker or having courage to go for something new is the start to being a successful artist. Without taking the risks we would never know we could become. It hasn’t always been as easy as it sounds but looking back I know I’ve gained more confidence in the risks that I’ve taken instead of being stunted by the fear of the unknown.

Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I’ve been a seller on Etsy for many years where I sell all of my paper products at www.coleycreated.etsy.com. My website and Instagram are also placing you can find my work from the past and what I’m currently working on.

www.coleykuyper.com
www.instagram.come/coleykuyperart

I would love for people to support my work through showing the world why you chose my art. Displaying it in your home, posting it on Facebook or Instagram, or personal websites and directing people you love to find my work too. One of the best things about doing this is all the new faces it has brought me to. I love hearing how people found me or my work and why they have chosen to stick around.

I am also a part of some markets around town such as Phoenix Flea and Junk in the Trunk Vintage Market which is where you can find me and my work in person.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.coleykuyper.com
• Email: coleykuyperart@gmail.com
• Instagram: coleykuyperart
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColeyKuyperArt/?ref=bookmarks
• Other: www.coleycreated.etsy.com

Image Credit:
Daniel Kim Photography (for the photo of me painting).

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