Meet Kelly O’Neill

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelly O’Neill. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kelly, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
I describe myself as an optimist. Perhaps because I read so many self-help books in the 80’s and 90’s, it rubbed off on me. I subscribe to the power of positive self talk resulting in self actualization. I have experienced too many people with bad attitudes leading to negative results. I believe it is a self-fulfilling prophecy, for sure. So, why not expect everything to turn out great? In most cases, it does. And when it doesn’t, I chalk it up to a “life-lesson”. I tend to surround myself with other optimists. It raises the energy in the room and I can feed off of it. Honestly, I’m not always “up”. But if there is a negative vibe, I’m the first to try to change that. Here’s the thing, we don’t know the future. No one does. So either don’t have any expectations, which I regularly council my worry-wart friends with. Or have expectations that things will get better and turn out great.

Listen, I’m not a perfect optimist, sometimes I allow myself a moment of doubt. So, this summer I participated in Scrapfest. It’s a sculpture competition. I really thought we would win or sell our piece. Neither happened. I was wallowing in self-pity for about an hour and then realized that having negative thoughts was not going to change the outcome. So, I pivoted and am now excited about leasing the piece to public art spaces. I also have an amazing support group, my husband and family are my biggest cheerleaders. It’s easier to build a pillar of optimism when others are rooting for you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
It’s only been a year and half since I spoke with you last. You can read about my beginnings as an artist here: https://voyagemichigan.com/interview/meet-kelly-oneill-of-just-outside-of-detroit-michigan/

It is amazing how life evolves. I have been actively pursing more opportunities in the Public Art space. Currently, I have 6 large scale sculptures out for lease in Michigan and Ohio. It’s a great form of passive-revenue. Each year, I can re-lease each sculpture to a new location. Of course, I would love to sell the pieces, but honestly, I can make more money per piece leasing them. It’s a new form of income, which as an artist, I appreciate.

When I left my marketing job, I thought about teaching as a second career, but I realized I didn’t want another “job”. It takes a special person to dedicate themselves to teaching children. So, I was excited when Lanigan Elementary reached out to commission a sculpture for their school garden. Of course, I saw this as an opportunity to play “teacher” for a day. I created a curriculum about pollination. We toured the garden and observed the bees and butterflies. Then I had the students draw pictures of their favorite pollinators and flowers, which I’m using as inspiration for the sculpture. This kids were curious and engaged. After 3 hours and 3 classes, I was worn out! I will be installing the sculpture before school starts this fall.

I have also curated a traveling art exhibition titled “Working Hands” Myself and 2 other women sculpture artists created a show of our work that has been shown in Lansing, Detroit and, next up, Ferndale, Michigan. Being responsible for a large exhibition allowed me to stretch my marketing wings again. I enjoyed developing the branding, artist statement, and promotional elements. My goal is to continue to evolve this exhibition by inviting new artists to participate and to find a venue in West Michigan and maybe Ohio that will host the exhibition.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Be humble. Our egos can get in the way. Shifting the focus on to others will allow you to learn and empathize with the world around you.

Be fearless. Fear tells you you’ll fail if you try. Try everything. Say “yes”. If you fail, it was a life-lesson you won’t repeat. Don’t fear the unknown. We naturally like to be in control, but you can’t control the unknown. Take the leap. Fear keeps us from living big, joyful lives. Don’t let it rule you.

Be curious. Ask questions. The more you learn the stronger your mind becomes. Learning new things keeps you motivated and challenged, which results in new experiences and surprises. Curiosity is the core element of growth. And as an artist, we must continue to grow to achieve success.

What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
” I’m an painter”. “I’m a jeweler”. “I’m a metalsmith”. Defining your art by the tools you use may limit your creativity and your ability to problem solve and create something unique.

Be an Artist with no limitations by medium. Just making this statement allows you to explore new ideas. I’ve always been an artist. As a child, I loved my pencils and crayons. As a teenager, I sewed and painted. In my career, I created marketing and advertising. I also weld, fabricate and work with clay and glass. Now I have all of those skills to draw upon in the creative process.

I’m fortunate to be a member of a Makers Shop. I have access to not only my metal fabrication tools, but a wood shop, computer for digital design, 3D printer (I haven’t tried this yet, but I’m planning to) and many other crafts and tools at my disposal. Of course, the people who create there everyday are sources of ideas and innovation. I’m also enrolled in a pottery program at the community college. I’m surrounded by master potters and creators.

Of course, you may prefer a specific medium to express your art, but having the knowledge and experience of other crafts may help you expand your art to new places.

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