We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelsey Fox. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelsey below.
Hi Kelsey, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
Growing up, I wasn’t confident in myself—not as a person let alone an artist. I spent so much time trying to fit into boxes that I thought other people wanted me in, constantly second-guessing myself and seeking validation that never really satisfied me. It took years of self-discovery and learning to let go of who I thought I needed to be for others and, instead, focusing on who I truly wanted to be. That shift—while gradual and often messy—was transformative. As I became more comfortable with my quirks, my style as an artist and my self-worth as a person started to come together. They weren’t separate anymore. They fed into one another.
Becoming a mom was another huge turning point for me. Taking care of my kids taught me how to be more nurturing—not just with them but with myself and my friendships. There’s something about being responsible for someone else that forces you to look inward and grow. I wanted to be the kind of mom my kids could look up to, someone who was brave enough to be herself and to show them that it’s okay to be different. That drive to set an example pushed me to take ownership of who I am and what I love.
I’ll admit, though, that it wasn’t always easy. Liking things that felt “out of the norm” growing up often left me feeling strange, like I was too different to fit in anywhere. But eventually, I stopped seeing that as a bad thing. Embracing my dark sense of humor and the unusual things I love to create—like growing crystals on skulls or preserving bug carcasses—became less about worrying if people would accept it and more about celebrating the fact that *I* loved it. And then, to my surprise, I discovered that there are so many other people out there who love those things, too. Realizing I wasn’t alone in my unique weirdness was empowering. It gave me the courage to dive deeper into who I am, unapologetically.
These days, I don’t feel the need to fit into anyone else’s mold. I’ve found strength in knowing that my quirks, my art, and my personality all add up to something worthwhile. Confidence didn’t come overnight—it’s the product of years of leaning into the things that make me who I am. And now, being true to myself is all I strive to be.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
As an artist, I feel so lucky to wake up every day and create. Art is my outlet and a part of who I am, and there’s something truly special about being able to take a blank canvas—or a skull, or a scrap of vintage paper—and turn it into something that feels alive. What excites me the most is the endless possibilities. My style is all over the place, and I love that about myself. One day, I’m painting bold abstract florals, and the next, I’m sitting on the floor piecing together a collage using pages from *Life Magazine* from the 1920s.
Experimentation is where I thrive. Whether I’m figuring out how to work with gold leaf to add those glowing highlights or perfecting the crystallization process to grow minerals on a surface, I’m always chasing something new. I think that’s what makes art so thrilling—it’s a constant process of discovery. I don’t feel confined to one medium or style, and I love the freedom that comes with trying new things and pushing myself to learn. If I don’t know how to do something, I’ll figure it out!
One of my favorite parts of being an artist is working on custom pieces. I love it when someone reaches out to me with their vision, no matter how small or big it is, and asks me to bring it to life. There’s something so rewarding about collaborating with someone to create a piece that’s meaningful to them, whether it’s for their home, a gift, or a special memory they want to preserve. Every project is different, and I think that’s why I never get bored. Every new request is a chance to learn, experiment, and grow as an artist.
Art makes me feel special because it allows me to express myself in ways words never could. It’s my way of connecting with people and sharing pieces of my mind and heart. I’m constantly inspired by the world around me, the people I work with, and the process itself.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most impactful skills and areas of knowledge in my artistic journey have been curiosity and resilience. Curiosity has driven me to constantly explore new techniques, styles, and even completely unfamiliar fields, while resilience has helped me push through the inevitable missteps and failed experiments along the way. I truly believe that one of the best things anyone—not just artists—can do is embrace the idea of discovering new things and connecting with new people. Technology has been a huge part of that for me. We live in an incredible time where we can connect with people halfway across the world in ways that would have been impossible 20 years ago. I’ve taken a painting class with an artist in Australia who taught me techniques I’d never considered, and I’ve learned from a scientist in Brooklyn how to use chemical compounds to grow unique crystals for my art. That kind of connection is magical—it’s broadened my understanding of art, science, and the limitless ways they intersect.
If I could give one piece of advice, it’s to step outside your comfort zone. Try something that scares you or feels completely foreign, because even if it turns out to be absolute garbage, you’ll still gain something valuable: the experience of trying. I’ve thrown away more pieces than I can count over the years, but those failed attempts have taught me just as much as my successes. They’ve helped me refine my craft, figure out what works (and what doesn’t), and ultimately grow as an artist.
The world is so full of ideas, people, and experiences that can spark something amazing in you if you’re willing to explore. Whether it’s through technology, travel, or even just a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally talk to, there’s so much out there to learn. And for me, that process of learning—of experimenting, failing, and trying again—is what makes this journey so meaningful. It’s not about perfection; it’s about the adventure.
If you knew you only had a decade of life left, how would you spend that decade?
Right now, one of my biggest challenges as an artist is finding the balance between creating art and marketing it. Making art feels natural to me—it’s what I love, what excites me, and what I feel I’m meant to do. But selling that art? That’s a whole different world. Since being an artist isn’t my full-time job, it can be difficult to find the time and energy to connect with a larger audience, especially one outside of my social circle. I know the potential is there, but reaching it feels like a constant uphill climb. Technology, which I mentioned before as a tool for connection and inspiration, has also made things so competitive. It’s tough to stand out in a sea of incredibly talented people, all vying for attention in the same crowded spaces. The pressure to constantly create enough content to show up on someone’s “For You Page” or to stay relevant in a fast-moving digital world can feel overwhelming. There’s this unspoken expectation to not only be an artist but also a full-time content creator, marketer, and salesperson. That’s a lot to carry.
I used to really push myself to keep up, to try to be seen and heard. But I’ve started to shift my mindset. I’m slowly learning that my art will speak for itself. The more I focus on the creative side—the part that truly fulfills me—the less I feel weighed down by the need to be relevant. I’ve realized that authenticity is more valuable than chasing trends, and when I stay true to what I love, the right people will find me.
It’s still a challenge, no doubt. I want my work to reach people and resonate with them, but I’m trying to trust the process. I remind myself that being creative is the core of what I do, and that’s what I should nurture. The rest will come in time.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.instagram.com/k.fox.art/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/k.fox.art/
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