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

Hi Kelly, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Since I could walk, I was drawing, building, and creating. I’ve made thousands of works of art, shown my work through the US, sold paintings, and taught art. I have defined who I am through this skill and desire to create. I love making art, it’s therapeutic and a way for me to capture and interpret my experiences in this life. Over the years, I developed this skill that I knew I could be using for more than just interpreting my life experience- I wanted to use it to make this world a better place. Then an opportunity came up for me to use my skills in art to create and volunteer for a non-profit organization based in New Mexico. This opportunity helped me to realize I can use my skill in ways I hadn’t thought of before, creating hand painted shoes. When the non-profit, Peaches Neet Feet, which I was volunteering for, closed their doors, I knew I had to continue making art for a cause. This inspired me to start Branch + Sparrow. Although my normal Paintings are on the larger side, for Branch+ Sparrow, I use my skills to hand paint custom shoes. Each pair ordered, helps pay for a pair for a kid in need of a little pick me up. Most of the free pairs go to kids battling cancer but many also go to kids with long term illnesses or unique challenges. Each kid who gets a free pair, gets to pick exactly what’s on their shoes, which are all, one of a kind and hand painted. The idea that I could use my skills to help a kid and a family going through something none of us should have to go through, has helped me to find meaning and purpose in my life and in my art. The goal of Branch +Sparrow is to bring a little light to those suffering.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think the thing that sets Branch + Sparrow apart, is that the goal isn’t to make art for the sake of making art, but instead to try and make a positive difference in other people’s lives. Most of my large paintings are my way of connecting and communicating, but with the shoes, it’s all about creating art that people can wear. Each person that orders a pair of shoes and donates to Branch + Sparrow, helps me and my amazing volunteer artists, to be able to make and ship free custom hand painted pairs to kids in need of a little pick me up. The free pairs go to kids battling cancer or other long term illnesses or serious challenges.

There has been many unique challenges over the past couple years getting Branch + Sparrow up and running. I’ve been working on officially getting 501C3 approval, which has been really challenging. I’m currently looking for a volunteer familiar with 501c3’s to help me fill it all out and get it submitted. It’s been hard doing all the paperwork, taking all the orders, designing all the shoes, painting them all, and shipping them. I also teach art during the day and make other art for different shows and venues around the US. It’s been a challenge to find a balance and learn to ask for help. I’ve been lucky enough to have several artists reach out to help and I’ve had to learn that I can’t do it all myself, reaching out and accepting help is what’s going to keep me afloat.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There is so much to do and see in San Diego and North County. If I had a week to show someone around, do fun things, and eat great food, I would definitely start in Oceanside. As far as food goes, Oceanside is full of amazing restaurants. Privateer, Switchboard, LTH, Magia e Bevi, and Dija Mara are just a few of the best places to eat! I would want to take someone to see a show at the Casbah or Belly Up and of course, spend as many days at the beach as possible. I love Oceanside harbor when it’s not too crowded and beacons beach in Leucadia is always great too.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’m so grateful for the encouragement and support from my family and friends. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or overcommitted, I can always rely on them to step up and help. My aunt Teresa Quinto and Sister in law Tricia Foulk have both been helping with the 501c3 paperwork, the finances, and the web site since the start. I could not have started this and kept it going without them. I’m also grateful to ‘Peaches Neet Feet,’ Annie Smith, and Madison Steiner for inspiring me to keep making shoes for kids in need. These two were the original brain child behind the idea of making shoes for kids in need and using art to create a kinder world in this creative way. I am forever grateful for them. I also have to thank the two artist who have stepped up to help paint shoes for the kids in need when I have my plate full, Greg Gilger and Laura svette.

Website: branchsparrow.com

Instagram: branch.sparrow

Facebook: branch+sparrow

Other: TikTok- branchsparrowshoes

Image Credits
Melyssa Gonzalez Krista King