Kelly Walston of Paint Fabric Whimsy

Today's feature is Kelly Walston of "Paint Fabric Whimsy"

She is a fun loving mom who is also an awesome artist who I met on Etsy and she  is quite an inspiration!

In her shop there's something for everyone who loves all things bright, fun, and funky.

                Original Acrylic Painting on Stretched Canvas - Swaying Meadow - Hand Beaded Fabric Flowers

Tell me about your mother daughter bond and/or how your girls inspire you.

I’m a mom to Emma 10 and Abby 7. I’m inspired by them everyday. They have such a unique perspective on the world and an unbridled enthusiasm for life. We love to learn, explore the world, cook and create together. From a very young age, Emma would come to me with all kinds of crazy ideas for contraptions she wanted to build. We did our best to turn boxes into all manner of crafts – flying machines, boats, time machines, space ships…..I’ll never forget her look of confusion though, when she dragged her giant flying machine box outside to ‘catch a breeze’. She just couldn’t understand why she wasn’t soaring among the clouds! It’s that uninhibited creativity and pure belief in themselves and the world that I love and cherish about my girls.

That's Kelly with her girls wearing bracelets from Christine's Jewelry!

To help us get to know you a little better tell us more.

I love trying new foods, cooking and sharing all that with my girls. Nothing makes me more proud then when we’re in a grocery store and my girls will ask if we can get some crazy new vegetable or fruit to try. Note to self – gooseberries need to be RED apparently, to eat them!!! Ick! We don’t always know what we’re doing, but we sure have fun trying it all together!!

I love making things from scratch. Whether it’s growing veggies or fruits in our garden, baking cookies or making jam, I like being able to show my girls the process of how something is made. 

Tell us a little bit about your shop and why you created it.

My shop is definitely a dream come true. Since I’ve been a fabric and bead-a-holic for years now, it has actually provided me with an outlet to make of use all the things I’ve collected (ok, hoarded) over the years – beads, fabric, broken jewelry. Now that my girls are 7 and 10 and in school during the day, I’m able to create when the ideas come. I had work in galleries for years, but the commission is a killer. I love the freedom of Etsy – to create, to try new ideas. My little shop can take any form I’d like. My shop is me. It’s color, whimsy and fun.

What inspires you to create?

I’m inspired by so many things. Most of my inspiration comes from nature, but I’m also very inspired by Mexican folkart. I’ve been lucky enough to travel some over the years, and seeing new landscapes, new foods and new art/folkart from other countries is always inspiring.

            Original Matted Watercolor Print - Sunny Skies

Is there anyone who inspires you and who?

My girls are my biggest source of inspiration, but I’m also inspired by my mom and my grandma. My mom is an amazing quilter and can make all kinds of wonderful fabric creations, from bags to ornaments to you name it. She was the one directly responsible for my fabric habit and got me into quilting initially. I’m also inspired by my grandma. She just turned 96 and is amazing. She taught me how to make jam and crochet (and she taught my girls as well!!) and she can sew anything! She was a wonder at making doll clothes and could alter any article of clothing. Sadly, all the utilitarian sewing skills died with my mom. I can quilt and create funky flowers, but don’t ask me to hem anything!!! I also have to add that my husband is my biggest supporter. Without him, I wouldn’t have had the guts to create my shop. He’s my best friend and my soul mate and I’m so incredibly lucky, because he puts up with a lot! Poor guy is alone in a house full of girls – me, our two girls and our lab and retriever are both girls!!!

Everlasting Sculpted Fabric Rose Stem Valentines Day Bridal Bouquet - Made to Order

Have you always been interested in art as a girl?

Yep! I even have proof! I kept a paper I wrote in the second grade stating that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up.

How do you stay driven to create new pieces?

To be honest, I don’t. The ideas just come into my head on a regular basis - whether it’s a painting, a sculpture or some new piece of jewelry. Sometimes I’d like to sit and paint, but I’m more inspired to work with a piece of batik that’s caught my eye. I try to create what I’m inspired by in the moment, if that makes sense. I also try to keep up with themes for the holidays to stay current.

What are some challenges you face/have faced in regard to your craft?

Since my work is so colorful, I have to find the right market. Not everyone likes explosions of color like I do! I also hate the business side of things. I’ve never been good at marketing myself, but at least Etsy is a start for me.

          Fabric Flower and Beaded Necklace OOAK - Batik Soft Sculpture Flower Teal

What other creative things do you like to do?

I love cooking and gardening, though mostly it’s survival of the fittest in my yard! I also enjoy crocheting, but I can’t figure out those darn instruction books and can only do the two stitches my grandma taught me. But it’s enough to make scarves and hats at least! I also enjoy quilting, but that’s definitely low on my list unfortunately. I have quilt tops that will probably stay quilt tops forever! I’ve recently been taking traditional jewelry making classes, which I love! I’ve been incorporating the new techniques into my fabric flower designs. I really like the results! My problem is that I’m interested in so many things. It’s finding the time to do them all that’s the problem!

Anything else you would like to say?

Thank you so much Christine for giving me this opportunity! You’re a brave woman knowing my long winded ways! ;) It’s been a pleasure getting to know you through Etsy. Your shop and generous, sweet nature are so inspiring. 

Thank you Kelly! It has been enjoyable and delightful!

XOXO

Christine