Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsey Critchfield De Ferrari.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always loved drawing and painting starting at a very young age.
My mother recognized this and put me in private art lessons at five years old, which I participated in weekly until my freshman year of high school. I then completed the AP Studio Art class and moved on to pursue my BFA at Brigham Young University. I began taking on professional commissions during my years in college and continued building my clientele once I graduated.
Soon after graduating from BYU, I moved to New York City and worked at the Society of Illustrators. I took advantage of the skills and connections I made there and a little over a year later, came back to Utah to save up to study with world-renowned artist, Zhaoming Wu, in Italy.
Last year, I received a scholarship to attend the Portrait Society of America conference in Atlanta, Georgia. It was such an incredible opportunity to network and learn from some of my biggest art heroes. I plan on attending more conferences in the future.
I currently reside in Salt Lake City and paint nearly every day. My works have been shown at the Springville Museum of Art, Anthony’s Fine Art & Antiques, JKR Gallery, Logan Fine Arts Gallery, and the George S. & Delores Doré Eccles Art Gallery. As of right now, I am working on one of my largest commissions yet and preparing works for upcoming art shows.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I feel like there are always challenges to overcome in any sort of field, but for me, it has been the opportunity to be able to dedicate time and energy to painting.
I have always had some other “full-time job” to support myself until recently. I finally feel I am at a point now where I can dedicate nearly all of my time to my art, which has always been my biggest goal.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a professional fine artist and oil painter. I mainly paint portraits and figures with a dark and moody aesthetic. I like adding other elements to my paintings, which typically include lush florals, skulls, detailed fabric, and lace.
I paint in a traditional and representational style. I enjoy getting into the details and creating an almost identical likeness of someone when painting their portrait.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
The only way I was able to get through the pandemic was by painting. Painting brought me joy and purpose and if you find something that gives you the same feeling, never give it up.
Life is too short to not be doing what you love. Focus more on what you’re passionate about and what makes you happy and keep pursuing that. If you have a talent or a skill, it is important to keep working on it and share it with others. If you create something with meaning, then others will also connect with it.
Pricing:
- Commissioned painting sample sizes and their corresponding prices
- 12 x 16” ————— $3,000
- 16 x 20” ————— $4,500
- 24 x 30” ————— $9,000
- 30 x 40” ————— $14,500
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kelseycritchfield.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kaycritch
- Tiktok: www.tiktok.com/@kaycritch
Image Credits
Ryan Johnson & Janelle Johnson
