Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Reaves.
Kelly, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I grew up in Florida with my single mom, always having an interest in art above all else. I attended a great magnet arts high school where I got a head start on my technical skills and material knowledge before moving to Chicago to get my conceptual art education at SAIC. I also had an interest in writing, so I returned to SAIC in 2008 for an MA in Arts Journalism.
Around that time, I also co-founded and operated a cooperative art exhibition and studio space in Humboldt Park called Peanut Gallery, which still exists in a way, as Happy Gallery. In 2014 I became an Art Handler which has been a fun and fascinating way to stay looped into the local scene.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
These days I make extremely intuitive paintings that are unplanned and have no agenda. I’m trying to make the most intriguing images I can with very limited materials — pushing them to their limits, experimenting with illusory space and suggesting surreal imagery rather than laying it all out in a literal manner. The material itself is my inspiration, led by my subconscious. I do it to clear my head and I see it as a form of meditation. I hope other people enjoy looking at it.
Any advice for aspiring or new artists?
I wish I had learned earlier to budget my time really well because most artists need to work full time at a “money job” and spend their “free” time in the studio to develop their practice. This leaves very little time for recreation, socializing, etc., but it’s necessary if you want to get good at what you’re doing and earn recognition and respect for it.
That said, the art world is very nepotistic and you’ll probably want to make friends with curators and gallery owners to be exhibited and collected, no matter how talented you are and how hard you work. There are a lot of talented artists vying for the spotlight and only a handful of them are shown and collected in a meaningful way, at least in Chicago. It’s an uphill battle but it’s worth doing whether you get the credit you think you deserve or not, IF you’re *really* in it for self-satisfaction and not necessarily motivated primarily by recognition and validation from others.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I have a show of six new paintings at Rainbow Club on April 21. I update my website kellyreaves.com regularly and post pretty prolifically on my Instagram (@kellymreaves) as well. Ideally, I would be able to sustain myself on art sales alone — quit my day job and focus on art making full time.
Contact Info:
- Address: East Garfield Park
- Website: kellyreaves.com
- Email: reaves.kelly@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/kellymreaves
- Facebook: facebook.com/kellymreaves
Getting in touch: VoyageChicago is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
