Kelsey Johnson is a Bozeman-based artist whose work highlights the epic wildlife, people, and landscapes of the American West. Using graphite pencils and oil paints, Kelsey creates stunning, life-like artwork– works that you would assume were created by a full-time artist with decades of experience. But in reality, Kelsey is new to professional art– she balances her artistic endeavors with a full-time job, and she actually started her art business only a few years ago, back in 2018. While Kelsey’s artistic career will undoubtedly continue to grow and flourish in the coming years, I am inspired by the commitment and work ethic she exhibits on a daily basis to turn her creative passions into a self-sustaining business.
Growing up in Pennsylvania, Kelsey was always artistic, but she put art aside and earned her undergraduate degree in agricultural business and agronomy. After graduation, she began a career with a large corporation where she sold corn and soybean seeds across the United States. While the job was safe and steady with plenty of upward mobility, she couldn’t shake the feeling that she was not completely fulfilled by her work. So, as you’ll hear her describe, a series of events came together that prompted her to pack up and move to Montana, where she rededicated herself to her artistic inclinations.
I greatly admire Kelsey and the way she has created a life and career here in the West. I also feel that she serves as a perfect example of how to balance professional, practical obligations with the pursuit of artistic goals. If you’ve got creative ambitions but struggle to fit them in between the other demands of life, you’ll find Kelsey’s story inspirational. We had a wide-ranging conversation, discussing everything from her childhood on the east coast to her eventual move to Montana. We talked about her evolution as an artist, some of her artistic breakthroughs, and her creative influences. She talks a lot about juggling professional and artistic commitments, and she also offers up some excellent book, music, and film recommendations.
And as you’ll hear in the episode, Kelsey and I will be doing a giveaway of a print of her newest painting, titled “Land of the Desert Poppy.” If you want to enter to win, follow me on Instagram and look for a post about the giveaway later this week, the week of February 22, 2021.
Thanks so much to Kelsey for taking the time to chat. Hope you enjoy this conversation.
Images courtesy of Kelsey Johnson
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EPISODE NOTES
Topics Discussed:
- 3:45 – Where Kelsey grew up
- 4:45 – How Kelsey initially got into agriculture
- 6:30 – When did Kelsey realize that agriculture was not the path for her
- 8:45 – How did Kelsey come to set her eyes on Montana
- 12:15 – What did Kelsey have to do to move to Bozeman
- 14:45 – Kelsey’s art
- 18:30 – How the art community in Southwest Montana influenced Kelsey’s art
- 20:45 – The first time Kelsey sold art
- 23:45 – Kelsey’s experience balancing her art with the rest of her life
- 25:45 – Kelsey’s biggest surprise in setting up her art business
- 26:45 – Kelsey discusses “big break” moments that helped get her work in front of more people
- 30:30 – Kelsey’s role models in the creative community of the American West
- 33:45 –Kelsey discusses how she knows she’s finished with a piece and explores those moments when a piece just “doesn’t work out”
- 37:15 – Kelsey’s advice for those getting started in creative pursuits
- 35:30 – Kelsey’s most recently finished piece (ft. information on a print giveaway!)
- 42:30 – Kelsey’s adventures in hunting
- 45:45 – What Kelsey does for fun
- 46:30 – Kelsey’s favorite books
- 50:00 – Kelsey’s favorite musicians
- 53:00 – Kelsey’s favorite movies
- 55:30 – Parting words of wisdom
Information Referenced:
- Kelsey Johnson
- Kelsey on Instagram
- KRae Artworks
- Helena, MT
- Custer, SD
- Black Hills
- Bozeman, MT
- Modern Huntsman
- Tyler Sharp
- Seth Godin
- Meat Eater
- Steven Rinella
- Mark Maggiori
- Jill Soukup
- AD Maddox
- Morgan Irons
- Joe Rogan
- Sara Dant
- Frank Church
- Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness
- James Galvin
- Becca Aceto
- Jim Morrison
- The Doors
- Allman Brothers
- Neil Young
- Traffic
- Cream
- Led Zeppelin
- Jose Gonzales
- Avett Brothers
- Out of the Furnace
- Roadhouse
- Big Land
Enjoy this episode? Then you might like these as well:
- Becca Aceto – Forging Her Own Path in the West
- Morgan Irons – Finding Her Muse
- Jessica Lewis – Doing More With Less
- Anna Brones – Committed to Creativity
- Kate Kavanaugh – Regeneration & Restoration
- Logan Maxwell Hagege – Artistic Evolution
- Melissa DiNino – Building a Unique Life in Big Sky Country
- Sara Dant – A Deep Dive Into the History of the West
- Daniel Vergés – The Pursuit of Simplicity in Art & Life
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