Pronouns: She/Her
Location: Brooklyn, New York
Website: https://www.kellymgarrett.com

Kelly is a Brooklyn-based illustrator, graphic designer, and art director. A Pittsburgh native, she enjoys the simple things: making popcorn, lounging on the floor, and spending time with her dog.

Comfortable footwear is a must for her, whether working on a project or relaxing at home. Above all, Kelly has a passion for drawing and finds inspiration in everyday life, bringing creativity and humor to her work.

Keep reading to discover what fuels her passion for illustration and what she has to share with fellow artists and fans!

Finding Inspiration: What inspires you when creating illustrations, and how does this inspiration shape your work? Can you share a specific moment when inspiration struck?

Hearing and reading what people say to each other - or what people say to me - always ends up being what I'm most excited to make a drawing about. I'm really inspired by words and writing. Often, I make drawings because of text messages from my parents. I've known them my whole life and they still manage to surprise me with how they communicate. My mom recently became very obsessed with a particular brand of frozen waffles. She texted me about the waffles for days. She emailed the waffle company directly and then forwarded me the evidence that she did that. So right now, I feel very compelled to make something waffle-related because watching the waffles overtake her mind has been amazing.

Creative Journey: How did you start your journey in illustration? What experiences have had the most impact on your creative process?

 I've always been a quieter person who gravitated towards drawing and other more independent activities as a child and an adult. I look back at drawings I made in elementary school, and I'm like, "Oh, I still draw like that". I've had pretty big social anxiety for as long as I am consciously aware, and have found consistent comfort in drawing as a way to make sense of and manage that, tell stories, and occupy my mind when I'm not feelin' awesome. I think navigating the world as a person who loves people but is afraid to talk to them ends up informing what I make most of the time.

Unique Techniques: What unique tools and techniques do you use? How do they influence the outcome of your illustrations?

I'm a pencil and paper person. Nothin' fancy; I love mechanical pencils and a stack of printer paper. I have a scanner that I will use to bring drawings into the computer to add color digitally or animate them. I'm very analog; I like to draw every frame of an animation on paper and scan them to assemble them in the Photoshop timeline. I don't have to do it this way by any means. I am a computer person for my day job, and this is my rebellion against that. It is tedious and requires time, but it makes me happy. I like to paint with watercolor or gouache; I like to work with clay, and I am overwhelmed by how many mediums I enjoy. So, most of the time, I just stick to pencil and paper because decision fatigue is real, and those items are very portable.

Overcoming Challenges: What's been the biggest challenge in your illustration career, and how did you overcome it? What advice would you give to others facing similar obstacles?

It's mostly just the fact that the work I like to create is not fast, and the time I have outside of work and life can feel minimal. I don't want to speed the work up to make it fit; I relish the time it takes to feel like I got my idea across. It's challenging to feel like I have to make stuff fit when it doesn't always fit, and I always wish for more time.

Advice for Aspiring Illustrators: If you could share one piece of advice with someone just beginning their journey in illustration, what would it be?

Don't worry about what's trending or about Instagram. I find it scary how social media makes visual artists think they need to produce work and post it online constantly.

“The space between doing work is equally important; taking in life and the world, movies, music, books, and any/all other data is the JUICE. We need the juice.”

We shouldn't make stuff to make sure we're posting stuff. We should make stuff to make sure we're making stuff.

Fuck, Marry, Fear = Celery, Iceberg Lettuce, Cucumber

Oh boy. Ok! fuck celery, marry cucumber, fear iceberg lettuce. Only because leafy greens can more easily get contaminated with e. coli. I still eat lettuce all the time, though. I live in fear. I am vegan!

Work-life balance tip of the week ✏️

Set achievable daily goals to keep your momentum going. Small steps lead to big progress. What's your goal today? #DailyGoals #MomentumMakers

Article of the week

Mastering Creative Productivity

Mastering creative productivity involves balancing focus, motivation, and effective time management. In this article, I'll discuss key strategies for maximizing your output without sacrificing creativity or quality.

Set Clear Goals ✅ 
Define what you want to achieve, both short-term and long-term. Use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set clear objectives.

Prioritize Tasks ✅ 
Identify which tasks require immediate attention and which can wait. Tools like Trello or Asana can help you organize and visualize your workload.

Embrace Time-Blocking ✅ 
Designate specific periods for focused work and break times. The Pomodoro Technique, which involves working in 25-minute intervals with short breaks, can be particularly effective.

Automate Routine Tasks ✅ 
Use automation tools like Zapier to streamline repetitive tasks, freeing up more time for creative endeavors.

Cultivate a Productive Environment ✅ 
Create a workspace that minimizes distractions and fosters creativity. Organize your tools, remove clutter, and ensure comfortable ergonomics.

Seek Inspiration ✅ 
Dedicate time each day to explore sources of inspiration, whether it's reading, observing, or engaging in activities that spark creativity.

Take Breaks ✅ 
Regular breaks are essential for maintaining focus and energy. Step outside, meditate, or do a quick workout to recharge.

Learn Continuously ✅ 
Invest in your personal and professional growth by taking online courses, attending workshops, or reading industry-related material.

Reflect and Adjust ✅ 
At the end of each day, reflect on your achievements and areas for improvement. Adjust your routine as needed to stay on track.

By implementing these strategies, you can enhance your creative productivity, achieve your goals, and enjoy a healthier work-life balance.

Empowering quote of the week 💪🏾

Resource of the week

Description: Outfest creates visibility to diverse LGBTQIA+ stories and empowers storytellers, building empathy to drive meaningful social change.

OUTFEST®, est. 1982 is one of the only global LGBTQIA+ arts, media, and entertainment organizations whose programs empower artists, communities, and filmmakers to transform the world through their stories while also supporting the entire life-cycle of their career.

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