Today we’d like to introduce you to Audra Keefe.
Audra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I graduated college in 2002 as an art major. Upon graduation feeling unsure about how to parlay my skills into a career, I decided to go back to school for graphic design. Studying graphic design gave me a clearer career path and shortly thereafter, I began working at a design studio in California. A few years later, an opportunity arose to partner in the creation of a graphic design company. This company ran successfully for 10 years, but I was always itching to get back to painting. After my son was born, I spent more and more time painting and having some solid business knowledge under my belt, decided to see if I could make painting another career.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There are always struggles when transitioning into a new career. Being an artist you are faced with a lot of rejection, criticism and just plain old paying of your dues. These are over arching struggles that can often lead to serious, sometimes crippling frustration and self doubt. I find my daily challenges to be smaller and sometimes even comical (in hindsight).
Once while preparing for an exhibition, I had my paintings arranged on the floor. I had put some finishing touches on a few and was looking over the work as it was drying. I was relishing in the work as whole, feeling satisfied and prepared. My cat was sitting on the windowsill purring, the embodiment of the peacefulness I felt. There was a loud crash in my courtyard and the cat went berserk, frantically running around the room (as freaked out cats do). After the chaos subsided, I looked down and every single painting had been smeared with wet paint paw prints. I was able to clean off a few but had to rework most. It was a challenge but after my anger subsided, I was able to make the changes and felt ever better about the paintings in the end. The cat endured a studio ban, he has returned but I am watching him.
Please tell us about AHK Art.
I am an abstract painter. My artwork is bold and colorful. I am proud of the amount of success I have had in the short time that I have started working as a full-time fine artist. I am also proud of being able to balance motherhood and career.
I believe that what sets me apart from other painters is that I bring a lot of knowledge of the commercial art industry to my life as a fine artist. I am well versed in branding, marketing and print reproduction.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over, I would have never taken such a long break from the art world. I had this feeling that if I couldn’t commit to my art 100%, it wasn’t worth doing.
I now see that there are many people making their own art, while having another job. Although, I feel the skills I learned as a graphic designer are incredibly useful, I still feel like I am playing catch-up.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ahk-art.com
- Email: audra@ahk-art.com
- Instagram: @audrakeefe_art
- Facebook: @AudraHannonKeefeArt
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