This past year living in Europe, we got a surge of creative energy. Not only from the amazing humans that we met along the journey, but through the synchronistic findings of people who are living their dreams in a unique way. In comes Blakely Little.
Blakely is an Artist and Painter based in Charleston, South Carolina. We came across her instagram when we were planning our trip to Greece and saw that she was also traveling there while creating her art. Her canvas perched in front of beautiful scenery, and her art telling the stories of the visuals and feelings she experienced there. We needed to know more about her story and the authentic lifestyle she has built.
Meet Blakely….
How would you describe the work that you do?
I collect shapes, light, and color through my home life and travels and turn them into paintings!
Your paintings and art have such an authentic style, tell us the story of how you got into painting?
Growing up, I always enjoyed creating, but it wasn’t until high school that I honed in on painting as my medium. I came down to College of Charleston for school and majored in Arts Management and minored in Studio Art. I always thought I would manage an artist or enter the design world. My semester abroad in Florence, Italy changed everything. My season aboard gave me space to understand myself as an artist and grow. I started to figure out my style and how my work could reflect my genuine personality. One of my favorite moments was when my professor Lorenzo said he could see me in my paintings.
We came across your work when we were planning our trip to Greece and saw that you were doing paintings of the places that you visited. When did you first start traveling, what spurred this love of it?
I will never forget going to Italy when I was in middle school, sitting at the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome watching the sun set. I had this thrilling feeling inside of all the newness around me… culture, language, art, food, etc… and even as a middle schooler I could tell it was special. Luckily, my husband also loves to travel so we have built it into our lives. I feel very free in a new place and prefer to explore and happen upon places rather than make a strict plan. All the while, I sketch and photograph so I can take these thoughts back to my studio and capture the feeling through paint.
What does a day in the life look like for you?
I wake up, make myself a breakfast taco, take my dog for a nice walk, then head to Slate Studios. I try to keep a typical 9-5 at the studio because it helps prevent underworking and overworking. I usually start with the business side of my art… so emails, marketing, and collaborations. The studio I’m in has two other spaces filled with female artists and our assistants – so we all come together to eat lunch and chat. Post lunch, I make myself a chai tea latte and start to paint! Typically, I am working on 2-3 pieces at once because it keeps my work loose and intuitive– I don’t want to overthink it. I paint until 5, clean up and head home. I love being out and about during the early evening. My husband and I are usually deciding between a sunset boat ride, tennis, or a beach walk. After, we will whip up a quick late dinner and eat it on our front porch, and then watch a little tv before heading to bed.
Do you have any favorite rituals?
My favorite ritual is my sketchbook. A few times a week, I give myself time to try new things or record new ideas in my sketchbook. It is a no judgment zone for me. I feel like it helps me reach my inner child where I was creating, just for the fun of it. Another ritual for me is turning on the lamps and lighting a candle as the sun goes down. Sometimes, this time can be hard for me because I love the sunshine so much, but the ritual of making my home feel cozy makes me happier for the evening to come.
What’s it like being an artist as a career?
It is sometimes hard, but mostly wonderful. I’ll start with the hard– You are taking your inner feelings and thoughts, and through talent and teaching, you use your skills to convey those thoughts… then you share it with the world and people say whether they like it or not. This is daunting sometimes! Plus, people can be rude and mean, as in every job. I think having my sketchbook helps me feel free to flush out ideas so I feel confident in what I am selling. But, as cheesy as it sounds, there are a lot of days where I truly feel my insides saying, “I love to paint!!!” The act of mixing colors and putting them together in a specific way is therapeutic to me. I also love that what I am painting can resonate so much with someone else to the point that they would want to keep it and hang it in their home for years. How special is that!
What’s inspiring you these days – music, movies, places, people?
Wes Anderson’s new film “The French Dispatch” (Specifically the Issue-In-Progress Board)
Sophie Treppendahl’s artwork ( Her. Light. And. Shadows. Wow!)
The Moon ( Just in general – its changing shape and the glow!)
Andros, Greece (Hosting a workshop there in May and I can’t wait!)
Cornwall (Headed there after my workshop because I am desperate to paint the coves and sailboats!)
Matilda Goad (Anything she touches turns to magic!)
What would you tell other creatives or artists who want to pursue their own path and create a meaningful business around their craft?
I would say to make pieces that reflect you and your story. What makes you happy? Sad? Excited? What is weird or different about you? Then, as you make art in that vein, find the collectors who resonate with that. That can feel unrealistic because you also have to make money in order to keep going. I got into a nice routine of painting what I knew would sell, in order to pay the bills, and then painting a series that was a risk. If it tanked, I would be okay financially because of the previous series, but if it soared, then it was a bonus. But I do think the most important thing to keep up with is authenticity.
Follow along Blakely’s journey on Instagram and checkout more of her amazing art here.
Photo Credit: All photos are from @blakelymade
