Forever a maker…

Since childhood, I have been getting into whatever materials I can get away with using and arguing to be some form of artwork. In the third grade, I vividly remember asking my mom if I could keep the lint from the dryer and use it to make pillows… I also remember being very upset when she said no. Now, I am thankful she kept me from contracting any lung diseases as a child.

I am currently a high school art teacher, and my students are the greatest part of my job. Getting to encourage their curiosity and creativity feeds my own. Their successes are mine, and I love watching them grow as artists.

I tell my students often that practice makes progress, and I try to abide by that saying myself. I continue to explore new mediums and also try to improve the ones I am familiar with. Doing this does prevent me from having one particular “artistic style,” but honestly I’m okay with that.

Author Liz Gilbert wrote an incredible book called Big Magic that I recommend to anyone who acknowledges the importance of creativity on the journey to success. Following this book, she released a podcast called Magic Lessons. She interviews author Neil Gaiman in one of the episodes and he describes himself as an otter. Unlike a dolphin, who repeats the same tricks knowing that a reward will follow, the otter cannot be trained. The otter will try new things and never repeat the same thing over and over again. Of course, the otter wants the reward… but trying a different trick is just too tempting.

My name is Kelcey - wife, mama, educator, maker, and otter. Welcome to my page!