We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Bourgeois and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career? As an artist and business-owner, I take risks with each of my artworks. For example, I strive to paint pieces that encourages the viewer to look at nature in a completely different light. With my paintings and quillings, the macro world is immersed in color or the individual quill becomes a key point in a large scale sculptural art work. The risk in each piece is sharing a piece of me while asking the viewer to slow down, form a relationship, take a risk, and look at the world from a different perspective. As an artist, if I stop taking risks I stop growing and stop making art- to me my job is stretch boundaries and encourage others to stretch their boundaries of how they perceive the world around them as well.

Risk taking has expanded my world, expanded my business and created more opportunities than I could possibly imagine. Through risk, I have been able to meet wonderful people and experience life as a colorful, highly enjoyable, colorful tapestry of individuals and art experiences.Essentially, risk taking is excitement mixed with stress and innovation made through motivation. Taking risk and enjoying the journey through each risk-taking career and life event makes life worth living.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
What sets me apart from others? Color, color, color. Bold, beautiful color is what sets my paintings and sculptural quillings apart from others. Color mixed with happiness and joy creates dynamic forms and. gloriously fun Artworks.. How did you get to where you are? Was it easy?

I was able to share my art business by being persistent and believing that my artwork will bring joy to others. I simply want to develop friendships with those that love my work and encourage positive dialogue. With that said, several museum curators believed in my work along with many friends, patrons and family and this community helped build my art career.

Easy. No.. Absolutely not. If becoming an artist were easy I wouldn’t enjoy it. You need to be challenged and take risks. You need to feel like you are expressing an intimacy, a part of yourself, and that is divinely risky. I encourage all to work on their art and just know that it will be worth it but the path can be tough! You have to rely on those around you and continue to make art.
World to know about me….

My brand and my story is of a woman that came from Montana and, through color, joy and creativity made the world love contemporary art a little more. I also hope to inspire my kids and other artisans as I have been told countless times the word “can’t” and have simply decide I “will”. It may sound corny, but don’t shut down your drive, your inspiration, and your spirit. Each one of us is incredibly powerful beyond belief -you are uniquely gifted and YOU!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
All local. Shop local. Choose local. Discover you favorites. For me the best place is your local art gallery, book store, and restaurant. They make the community uniquely your own. Honestly checking out the downtown area and exploring the local artists studios is one of the beat ways to see and explore locale.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Shout-out! For me, it takes a village to help encourage, support, love and grow. As an artist. I have been fortunate to know and have the support of a community of skilled artists and wonderful inventors and business persons. My family has inspired me throughout my journey-even when the journey was rough and the risk was great-they encouraged me to continue to make art and believe that others would love it. My friends have had my back and I have been so blessed to truly learn and grow through their tutelage. The art I create is a composition of the beauty and strength of those around me. I cannot express my humblest thanks to all.

Website: Www.KellyBourgeois.com

Instagram: Kelly_bourgeois_modern_artist

Twitter: @kellybourgeoi16

Facebook: Kelly Bourgeois

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