Rising Stars: Meet Chloe Welch

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chloe Welch. 

Hi Chloe, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself
I have always been drawn to art of all kinds growing up, which passion lead me to study Art Education in college. I graduated in 2019 with my BA in Art Education from Brigham Young University. 

I really dived into illustration in 2020 when COVID hit. Up until then, I had been working as a junior high art teacher and had been loving my life. I had the coolest creative students and looked forward to seeing them every day! When things changed in the world and school went online, we lost access to all our materials at the school. No more ceramics, no more kiln, sculpture, paint, printmaking, etc. It was heartbreaking to leave school on a Friday with plans to pick up an order for more plaster and to end up never seeing my students again! We did our best to finish out the year with fun projects from home, but much of what I loved about my job had changed. 

We moved after that school year to Denver, I was pregnant with my first baby, and things were still locked down. I needed a creative outlet and way to cope with how empty my life suddenly became in a new city, and turned to illustration. I drew digitally and painted every day and shared my work on Instagram. I made connections with some incredible illustrators online and felt so inspired through that hard time. I made my website, opened an Etsy shop, and began learning about the business side of art. 

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
When my baby was born later that year I entered into the wonderful world of motherhood. I heard stories from parents saying the hobbies and passions they loved before having kids would have to be sacrificed once kids came. I knew I wanted to find a balance in my motherhood. I choose to view what could be seen as a career setback as something that can spark new growth. I think of these questions, “How can my artistic endeavors fuel my mothering?” and “How can my mothering inform my artistic work?” It has been so rewarding to mother my little girl and also find time every day for creative expression and growth. It can be challenging to juggle a small business alongside our household at times, but I have felt that the limitations on my time have actually been great creative fuel for me. 

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for colorful and whimsical illustrations featuring animals, plants, and people. My work is cheery and sweet with a 1960s era vintage color palate. My work doesn’t take itself too seriously and has a playful spin that makes people smile. 

I suppose I am most known for my digital illustration through my Instagram, though I love painting and ceramics as well. I feel as an artist, it doesn’t matter if I am playing with crayons or ripped paper or clay, my voice will shine through. I love so many mediums – though digital drawing and design is the one that best fits into this stage of life right now! 

I am most proud of my drive to create something every day admits the other obligations I have. I know that the days add into years and am excited by the creative possibilities that working every day at something can unlock. 

Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Create something big or small every day. You don’t need to document or share everything online, have a place where you can experiment and mess up and discover what you like. Just keep making and making without critiquing and once you have a large body of work, then you can go back and see themes to techniques to keep following. 

Pricing:

• Etsy pricing ranges from 7-20$ for prints
• Commissions are open- contact for pricing

Contact Info:

• Email: chloewelch.art@gmail.com
• Website: www.chloewelch.com
• Instagram: @chloewelch_art