Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx with Kelly McKernan

wednesday indie artist fixx interview

For this week’s Wednesday Indie Artist Fixx interview I’ve got another Kelly…the artist and illustrator Kelly McKernan. Kelly’s an Atlanta based artist who exhibits locally at Beep Beep Gallery, Young Blood Gallery and MINT Gallery in addition to selling her prints an other goodies online and doing some illustration work as well. I’m drawn to her Siren-like portraits much like Odysseus must have been drawn to the Sirens himself.

Learn more about Kelly and her work in my interview with her below.


What’s the name of your business, what do create and sell and how did you get your start?

I’m Kelly McKernan and I’m a fine artist and illustrator. I create watercolor and gouache paintings for gallery shows, and I also do editorial and children’s book illustrations, as well as album art and other odds and ends. I sell reproduction prints and small originals online at kellymckernan.bigcartel.com. I’ve always wanted to be an artist, so there really wasn’t a beginning, but I took it on as a serious endeavor about 3 years into completing my BFA and began exhibiting my work in galleries.

Do you have a favorite type of cookie and do you have a recipe you can share for it?

I love love love peanut butter cookies. This recipe is probably my favorite.

Is your home messy or organized? Which one do you think is ideal and why?

Before I got married, I was horribly messy. I mean, HORRIBLY. It didn’t really bother me, but I did feel pretty good when things were neat and tidy. When I got married a year ago, I cleaned up that act and I keep things mostly presentable now… my art table not included, of course.


When did you get your start and what made you decide to take the plunge?

Well, I’ve always been a somewhat ambitious and determined young lady with a flair for entrepreneurship. It was pretty clear to me that I was going to be an artist and I kept to that path growing up. I went to school for fine arts and graduated 2 years ago. Upon graduating, I had prepared myself to keep working hard at my artist career rather than fall into a funk like most of my peers had done. So far, so good!

If a genie came along and granted you one wish, what would it be?

Aw, just one? That’s so difficult… First thing that comes to mind is perfect health for myself and everyone I know. Sickness and ailments are such a bummer.

What do you like to listen to when working at your art?

Up until about a month ago, it was strictly music, but I’ve gotten tired of my collection and I began listening to podcasts, mainly Radiolab. I’m a huge sucker for scientific and psychological studies and stories.


Share 3 things that you are crushing on right now from other indie artists/crafters/designers.

Uh oh, this is a tough one. I generally avoid browsing cool stuff because I totally can’t afford to splurge, so I’ll just name a few other artists with amazing work that also sell prints and goodies:

1. Megan Lara – I came across Megan’s work a few months ago with her Nintendo Nouveau ladies. I’m a sucker for the combination of art nouveau and all things nerd.

2. Jessica Swift – She’s a local artist to Atlanta and creates the most amazing patterns and designs!

3. Charmaine Olivia – I came across her work a year ago or so, and she’s just totally blossomed! Lots of super cute silhouette ladies here.

Share any big accomplishments or goals that you completed.

I recently just put together a show with a friend of mine, Marcy Starz, at my favorite gallery, Beep Beep Gallery, in Atlanta. We called it “Willful Wiles” and the show just turned out perfect. I’m so proud of our efforts and the way everything came together.