Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Angelovic.
Kelly, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My name is Kelly Angelovic and I’m an illustrator and graphic designer from Boulder. Specializing in hand lettering and surface pattern design, I also love to play with editorial design, book illustration, and packaging.
I have always been creative—my mom was a graphic designer (she owned her own studio in Denver for 35 years), so I grew up in a household where artistic endeavors were encouraged. If you had asked me 10 years ago though, I would have told you that I can’t draw–so it is somewhat remarkable that I now spend my days working as an illustrator.
At the University of Colorado, I majored in business. A few years after graduating—finally heeding my own creative call— my husband and I moved from Colorado to Seattle, and I went back to school for graphic design at the School of Visual Concepts. Two years later, we returned to Boulder. My creative studio was established in 2008 with a focus on graphic design.
In 2011, my daughter was born and I started illustrating while she napped. Hazel was a bundle of joy (and a firecracker from the get-go), and she absolutely turned my world upside down. Needing a creative outlet, I started drawing while she slept, and in those short pockets of time, it was like a light switched on. Illustrating fed my soul and made me a better mom–and I haven’t looked back.
In the past year, I have worked on book projects, magazines, calendars, a girl-power planner, countless greeting cards, a voter kit for kids and more. I am so grateful every day (even the hard ones) to have the opportunity to follow the whispers (and bellows) of my heart and soul. When I’m not playing in my studio, I can often be found enjoying all that Colorado has to offer with my family.
My current client list includes Scholastic, Papyrus, American Greetings, Design House Greetings (for Trader Joe’s), Calypso Cards, Pier 1, Tag LTD, Workman Publishing, Amber Lotus Publishing, Peaceable Kingdom, JoAnn Fabrics, Oopsy Daisy, Charleston Magazine, and many more. I am currently represented by Jennifer Nelson Artists.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Is it really ever smooth, for anyone? Working as an artist, I put myself out there on a daily basis. Some days, I’m on top of the world, and sharing my soul is an act of galvanizing bravery. Other days, my courage is not so easily bridled–being a deeply feeling person in this messy world is not easy. Anxiety and depression come knocking far too regularly, especially with the current state of things. For many years, I tried to escape my own messiness by numbing the intensity of how I felt in unhealthy ways. I’ve done a lot of healing around this though, and am learning to accept and recognize my open, creative heart as a gift, something to be shared rather than hidden away. So I keep showing up. I keep sharing my voice and my work, even (especially) when it’s hard.
The balance of work and motherhood has also been a challenge that I would be remiss not to include. My kids are both school aged now, but for a while I felt like I wasn’t doing any of it very well (motherhood, working as an artist, showing up as a loving and supportive wife).
The absolute breadth of motherhood, infused with the internal drive to feed my creative soul, to contribute financially, and to follow the path that I know deep down in my bones is right, has been more challenging than I ever anticipated. We are finding our way through, all of us together. I have abandoned any fantasies of balance, and instead, take it one day at a time.
What I do know is that this path, this creative life (both my work as an artist and as a mother), isn’t easy–but it is so incredibly worth it. I am blessed beyond measure to be able to do what I do and to be raising my family, and I hope that by shining my own light, I inspire others to do the same.
We’d love to hear more about your art.
I am known primarily for my hand lettering and my female empowerment work. You can find my images on calendars, planners, books, and greeting cards sold all over the world. Currently, I’m in the middle of creating a voter kit for kids which will be sold across the country (just in time for the upcoming elections). Are you kidding me!?!! Sometimes, I feel like the luckiest woman in the world to get to do what I do.
In the year ahead, I hope to expand more into editorial illustration, and to continue building community through workshops and creativity coaching (something I dipped my toes into at the end of last year).
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I’ve been thinking about this one quite a bit lately…The artist (and devoted idealist) in me rejects that notion that success should hinge on financial metrics, but the realist in me knows that if I’m not supporting myself and my family, I need to figure something else out.
Success has to be bigger than the money though…Am I making a difference in the world? Am I doing work that moves me on a soul level? Am I using my voice to make the world more beautiful, more kind? Am I speaking out against injustice, and standing up for what I truly believe?
This is how I approach both my career and my life. Am I successful? It’s a work in progress to be sure–but I do my best to show up each and every day, to do the work I’m here to do with a full and humble heart.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.KellyAngelovic.com
- Phone: 781 643 2002
- Email: [email protected], [email protected]
- Instagram: @kellyangelovic
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KellyAngelovicIllustration
Image Credit:
The photo of me was taken by Sarah Hess, @sarahchess.
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