Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristi Welch.
Hi Kristi, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story begins in the 1st grade. The teacher called my parents for a meeting and pointed out the difference between another child’s artwork and mine. This was the first insight that I had an artistic inclination. Unfortunately, unlike my art, I didn’t like to spell or read, which led to repeating the grade. All I wanted to do was create. My family moved several times during childhood, looking for a fresh start. By the time I graduated, I had been to three Elementary, two Middle, and two High Schools. I was just a child and lived in 2 Countries and 4 States. I was all too familiar with being the new kid. I was a spirited girl, the “wild child,” but the constant upheaval and my parent’s volatile marriage took a toll when I was a teenager.
I was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety when I was 12. Much like the 1st grade, art was everything. It was comfort, an escape from all the turmoil of my life. I spent lunch daily in the art room or the library, busily working on my next project. As graduation approached, I foresaw myself attending art school. Like many kids, that vision grounded to reality with my parent’s fear of debt. The world has enough artists, and I began to believe that art could not be a viable career. With art school in the rearview, I began work in my mother’s business and had a slew of various other part-time jobs. My art was no longer a priority, and I lost a lot of the drive that I used to have.
My early twenties were a time of discovery, and I sought the stability I had desperately yearned for throughout my childhood. There were setbacks, including the end of my parent’s relationship. Nevertheless, I persevered and set out to ensure I wouldn’t let depression define me. Slowly but surely, I experienced a renaissance of circumstances that reignited my fire for art. I married my husband in 2019, and we moved to Woodruff, SC, and set down roots. I finally had security and a reliable home base in my life. He was my best friend and a companion who taught me unconditional love in life. It was a turning point for my depression; a fog finally lifted off my shoulders. In 2021 we had a daughter. She’s the shimmering star of my life, filling my heart with love.
The disconnected puzzle of my life was finally mostly fitting together. When it doesn’t, I have the resiliency to persevere. Still, there remained a nagging absence in my life. I had not rediscovered my passion for art. It defined me most of my life, but I avoided exploring it seriously because it seemed impossible. That all changed with the birth of my daughter. I realized how important it was to maintain my identity so that she could become the woman I knew she could be. One day she will explore her passions and weave her own story. No matter how that story goes, I want her to see a mother that exemplifies courage and determination to pursue anything. My expression of my art reflects my endless love for her. That makes it all worth it.
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not always been a smooth road; I am going to bullet point some of the largest obstacles in my way that I have been working through.
- Overcoming challenges from childhood and early adulthood.
- Creating a stable and peaceful home life for myself and my new family.
- Finding a direction in life and circling back to my true passions.
- Gaining confidence and a strong identity.
- Trying to break into the Art World and find my voice.
- Balancing being a stay-at-home mom and making time for my Art
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?
While I dabble in many different mediums, my favorite has always been painting. In the past, I primarily painted with acrylic paints. Recently, I’ve branched into oil painting. My paintings tend to utilize abstract techniques, where I create more visually interesting pieces using bright and vibrant colors. I never stop exploring various styles and experimenting with new things. For example, digital artwork is another medium that I’ve recently implemented into my work. With a toddler, having art that’s “on the go” has freed up opportunities to expand my art like never before. My art often features nature and animals. I also like to include symbolism throughout my artwork. In many ways, I’ve always thought of myself as a storyteller. Instead of writing a novel, I tell my stories through my art. I never want to stop evolving my artistic journey because there are always opportunities for growth within art. I think the possibilities are truly endless. Sometimes an artist can experience feelings of vulnerability when they share their artwork with the world. Can you imagine bearing your soul for the world to see? I’ve realized that the only way I can continue to grow as an artist is by unapologetically sharing my story with my art. The world could use more vulnerability to have deeper empathy for others. This is the purpose of my art.
Any big plans?
My goal for the future is simple; I want to be more consistent in creating art. Being a mother has consumed my life for the past two years. It has been a transformative experience, and it’s taken time to rediscover the time to create art. I am working on several pieces I’m submitting to a local exhibition. I’m also building a website that features my work for the first time and forming an online presence to share my art with a larger audience. Finding a balance during this transition will be key, but it is an exciting and liberating feeling. I hope that I will be able to reach others with my art and connect with the world on a level I have been lacking all my life. While beginning this journey, I have confidence in my future and am excited to see the following chapters and growth as an artist.
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