Meet Kaelyn Williams

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaelyn Williams.

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?
I knew that I wanted to be an artist ever since I was in elementary school. We had a weekly art class that I looked forward to more than anything. The art teacher, Mrs. Flores, would always pull me aside after each project and say, “Kaelyn, one day you’re going to be a professional artist!” and that was immensely encouraging. Through middle and high school my artistic focus turned from visual to performing. I studied music and ended up playing the flute and piccolo for 7 years. In my senior year of high school, I started learning photography and started to get back into visual art. When I went to university, I decided to dedicate myself fully to visual art and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design & Advertising. Since graduating, I have worked in a variety of industries and am thankful for the wide range of opportunities that my career in graphic design affords me.

I started out my career simply as a graphic designer with a photography hobby, however my dedication to my craft has led me to become a freelance professional photographer. During my days, I work as a corporate graphic designer. During my evenings, I work as a freelance graphic designer with a number of local and remote clients. During my weekends, I am photographing weddings and my travels and really anything worthy of being photographed. I love what I do. Creativity is my passion and I have worked so hard to build my skills. I am always learning new things and have had the privilege to teach a few things too. My journey is a creative one and that brings me so much happiness.

Please tell us about your art.
As a graphic designer, my visual style is minimal, clean and features bold, bright colors. One of my favorite pieces that I work on is a magazine that we produce twice a year. I love print design but am equally experienced in digital design and have created pieces ranging from web pages to social media posts to mobile app concepts.

As a photographer, my work is focused on details. If I had to label myself, I’d say I am a product photographer with a somewhat photojournalistic method. I love to lead my audience to focus in on minute aspects of the photo subject that would normally be glossed over. I enjoy shooting with as little gear as possible. It not only makes setting up extremely easy, but it also challenges me to get creative with my shots.

What you should know about my personal artwork, and about most artwork in general, is that I am making it for me. Not for you. Look at art from the perspective of why the artist created it, not whether you like it or not. Not all art is meant to be viewed positively or liked. Art is meant to create a reaction. Just because you don’t like a work of art doesn’t mean you can’t appreciate it. Art is incredible that way.

Choosing a creative or artistic path comes with many financial challenges. Any advice for those struggling to focus on their artwork due to financial concerns?
1. You can make money and be an artist.
2. Do what you love as a hobby and find a monetarily stable day job to support it.

I was always told that I would be a “starving artist” if I got an art degree. So naturally I made it my prime directive to make a considerable amount of money with an art degree. Upon much research before university, I found that the field of graphic design in marketing was projected to grow and pay well. So instead of pursuing music or painting, I chose to go into graphic design because it would pay the bills and still allow me a creative career. Plus, if you do what you love for work, you won’t end up loving it anymore because someone else will be telling you exactly how they are paying you to do it. If you save what you love for your hobby, then you can do it exactly as you please. Working as a professional photographer and doing photography on my own time has taught me this very valuable lesson.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?
The best place to see my work is on my Instagram: @kae.williams. You can support my work by opening your mind to all art (even the ugly or offensive pieces)! And also, by encouraging a hard-working artist in your life! Art is a very emotional career and hobby and a lot of times it is difficult to see our own talents. So, go tell an artist they’re doing a great job and give ‘me a hug and some words of encouragement!

Contact Info:

• Email: creative@27garnet.com
• Instagram: @kae.williams

Image Credit:
Kaelyn Williams

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