Check out Sela Britton’s Artwork

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sela Britton.

Sela, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
When I was young, I really gravitated towards using my hands. Whether it was through drawing or collecting random pieces of nature to create new contraptions, I have always loved to make concepts in my head come to life. As I went through middle school and high school, I was introduced to art classes that taught me techniques specifically in drawing and painting. I have always loved art, but when I began to learn and develop skills, I started to grow my passion.

When I was a junior in high school, I drew my step-dad a picture of our family dog; he framed it and placed it in his office. Some of his co-workers and friends became interested and wanted some of their own, so I started doing commissioned pet portraits at age 17 for friends and family. After a couple months I had done close to 10 pieces and I saw potential in my talent and how excited it made people. I chose to minor in Studio Art at the University of Arizona to compliment my Business degree so I could learn to build my brand and continue to develop as an artist. Last summer, I created my personal artistic brand called selaKcreations so I could enhance my credibility and explore different mediums, while sharing my progress on various platforms. Since creating my brand several months ago, I have been able to reach significant milestones in my artistic career. My most recent accomplishment was this November when I led the creation of an art installation for a local Tucson music festival called DUSK with two other student artists, Paige Pflueger and Daniel Kersh. The festival attracts several thousand people and our installation was a huge success! We plan to repurpose this installation at various music and art events across Arizona and we could not be more excited.

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?
To be completely honest, my art is all across the board. However, I think that in itself is what makes me unique. As a young student artist, I am still discovering my own personal style and learning new techniques constantly. Unlike most developed artists, I have not yet found one medium that I love more than another and I find it exciting to experiment. I create everything from realistic colored pencil portraits of animals and people, to psychedelic abstracts using acrylic pouring techniques. The one thing I really keep consistent is my love for color. I gravitate towards bright, saturated colors because they make me feel excited and imaginative.

I am a very simple artist at this point in my life and do not explore complex ideas with my art very often. My intention right now is to make something that I enjoy looking at and that other people will enjoy too. I have recently liked taking photographs of musicians or celebrities and turning them into fun, colorful painted portraits that my friends can hang in their rooms.

My mood heavily affects the style I am trying to explore. When I don’t want to focus and I feel like letting myself go, I will pick up a canvas and create an abstract with whatever colors and shapes fit my feelings in that moment. It’s extremely therapeutic when there is no specific intention. Other days I really want to create something purposeful and precise and that obviously requires more work and focus.

The sterotype of a starving artist scares away many potentially talented artists from pursuing art – any advice or thoughts about how to deal with the financial concerns an aspiring artist might be concerned about?
I think that it is important for young emerging artists to know that choosing an artistic path does not always mean you will face financial instability. I think the younger generations have truly seen the surplus of young adults that have been able to grow their passions and hobbies into careers. YouTube, Etsy, and social media has done wonders for artists, makeup artists, musicians, comedians, bloggers and so many other creatives! Sharing your work and growing your brand is extremely important and the internet can be your greatest tool as an artist if you are trying to increase sales.

It is also very important to pay attention to budgeting! Last year I started tracking my sales and expenses on an Excel sheet to help me stay aware of my cash flows. This has helped me stay conscious and spend less on supplies. Many people do not realize how expensive art supplies can be. I am a big fan of repurposing inexpensive tools and conserving my materials. When making my last abstract, I went to the dollar store to find tools that I could substitute for expensive ones such as sponges, spatulas, and textured towels. Googling alternatives for materials is a huge advantage as well as simply taking care of the supplies you currently own so you don’t always have to buy new things.

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?
Until recently my work has simply been through word-of-mouth. I have started to grow an online presence and my work can be seen on Instagram at @selakcreations, my website, www.selakcreations.com, and Facebook at @SelaKCreations. I am in the process of getting my art installation, The Sun Spot, at local music and art festivals in Arizona so keep an eye out!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.selakcreations.com
• Email: selakcreations@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/selakcreations/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SelaKCreations

Image Credit:
Sela Britton (myself)

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