Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Kay.
Hi Ali, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I know that artists find their creative voice at all different stages in life. I knew from the beginning that I was created to do this. As a child, all I needed were crayons and markers to make me happy. I received my first commission from my 6th-grade teacher. He asked me to draw a portrait of his daughter and grandchild. He paid me $20, and I was thrilled. I took every art class my high school offered. I went on to study fine art in college, and at the same time, I founded my mural painting business Positive Space. I spent the next decade creating custom paintings on walls, ceilings, and floors.
About 10 years ago, I dove into teaching painting. I was invited to teach at several conventions in different cities around the US. As a result, artists started asking me to come to my studio to study with me. I started offering a few online classes before it became the norm in 2020. The pandemic forced me to cancel my in-person workshops and expand my online platform; It was a silver lining during a hard couple of years. Teaching online has allowed me to connect with thousands of artists worldwide who would never have the ability to visit my studio.
At the beginning of 2022, I launched my membership group Fresh Paint. This is where I’m now teaching new weekly lessons to my community of creatives. I love that the group has transformed into so much more than a place to follow painting tutorials. Our members support and encourage one another, share their tips and struggles, and grow together. Nothing gets me more excited than to check in with the group and see students posting their paintings that they are so proud of. I get messages about how these classes have helped them find a new passion or get back to doing something they love. It’s a gift to be able to have this impact.
You wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been smooth?
Growing an art business takes work. It’s hard to grow when trying to succeed in too many places. The biggest issue I have struggled with has been distraction. As a creative, I’m guilty of chasing all the shiny opportunities that have caught my eye. I have done murals, decorative wall finishes, live performance painting, house flips, custom portraits, art festivals, galleries, and teaching. It was when I narrowed my focus that my company grew.
Another challenge is trying to do it all when running my business. Art school needs to prepare you for what it takes to run an art business. I was kept from teaching myself how to do marketing, social media, bookkeeping, customer service, and hiring. I’ve slowly had to figure that out along the way. Once I embraced the fact that I could not do all these things, everything got easier. I learned that I needed to find people who could help and were better at these things than I was. That’s what sparked a lot of growth in my business.
Thanks for sharing that. So, you could tell us a bit more about your work.
I’m known for my loose and bold paintings. I call my style contemporary impressionism. I work in acrylics and use a system of layering complementary colors together to create dramatic effects. My subject matter varies, but I consistently return to florals and portraits. These are some of the works I’m most proud of. My specialty is that I teach my students all these techniques in a very organized, step-by-step process. I break paintings down into basic structures so that my students, who range from beginners to highly advanced, can all easily follow along and learn from the experience.
I strive to make the process easy and fun. I like to cover all the bases so that students can take their art to a higher level than they ever imagined. I give students templates they can trace, which helps them if they need clarification on their drawing abilities. I provide them with color charts so they can familiarize themselves with color mixing.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I’ve had many supportive people who have been critical of my success!
- My parents always encouraged me to be an artist and never once questioned if I could “make it.”
- My husband Jason has supported me in more ways than I can mention. To name a few examples: hauling art to shows, setting up my studio, listening, and having a “real job” so I could follow my passions.
- Terry Eldridge introduced me to teaching online and has been a constant cheerleader in my life.
- My team- (Naomi, Anna, and Meagen) do all the things so I can create!
- Paul Thomson has coached me through creating a larger online platform than I could dream of.
Contact Info:
- Website: alikaystudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ali_kay_studio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AliKayArtStudio/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-3qscI5t69_WQhXNNcC5Zg
Image Credits
Hillary Moore -Wandermoore Photography
