About The Artist:
Hi, I’m Kelly! I’m the artist behind @messyeverafter.
Basic info:
Born and raised in the Midwest, I spent most of my life in Minnesota before taking a brief adventure to Southern California from 2018-2020. Now, I live in Minneapolis with my Texan, guitar-building partner, and our dog Murray.
Even though I’m an artist, I spent a good chunk of my life trying not to be one. I went to college for a variety of things (biochemistry, creative writing, psychology, and art), but never quite settled on one topic. Happily, the university I attended allowed me to graduate with a very unconventional but practical Bachelor’s degree.
In my working life, I’ve held a variety of jobs before committing to art. I’ve been a dental lab ceramicist, optician, administrative assistant on a finance team, baker, barista, waitress, cashier, hotel housekeeper, and more. I’m no stranger to hard work, but found out early on that non-creative fields just won’t satisfy the itch I’m trying to scratch, and just collecting a paycheck will never be enough to keep me interested.
I strive to spend my life in the pursuit of meaning and community. Being an artist is a perfect way to fulfill both goals, but I will not be limited to one title in my life. Recently, I gave most of my energy to creative writing, polishing the final draft of a fiction novel, and I have moonlighted as a creative consultant for many years now. Who knows what the future will bring me?
About me as a human being:
I’ve always been a little bit of an intense weirdo that feels way too much. I can’t watch horror movies, because the imagery sticks with me for days. I get lost daydreaming quite often. My head is full of ideas. I am passionate about art and all things creative, but I have a strangely analytical mind (data and spreadsheets give me a special kind of happiness). I can’t help but be kind, because life is too short to be mean and angry. I overthink everything and have a hard time cutting myself slack. I love watching others succeed and grow, and the most fulfilling thing in my life at the moment is knowing I can be a source of inspiration and kindness to others.
About my art and inspiration:
I love working with saturated colors, movement, and organic flowing lines and details. I am inspired by emotions and energy because I experience so many of them in my internal landscape. Art is a way for me to get lost and roll around in the beautiful chaos around us and inside of me. Art is also how I leave those emotions behind. I feel it, channel it, create, then walk away. Which is why it might seem like I don’t take myself or my art too seriously at times. Some of my pieces are moments trapped in time that I’m okay leaving in the past. Which is just another way to say “please buy my art and take it away before I burn it or paint over it.”
Who is Mea?
On social channels, I go by Mea Kelly Marie, and I sign my work as ‘MEA’ (when I actually do take the time to sign the front of my work). Mea is the acronym of Messy Ever After and I’ve adopted this as my signature because Messy Ever After has become more of an artistic identity than my own name or the moment. I’ve been in identity limbo for years, dropping my last name because it never felt like me. But that’s just temporary and will be changing very soon.
For now, you can call me Kelly. You can call me Mea. You can call me whatever you want, but when my art is finished, Mea takes responsibility.
Any questions?
-Kelly
About The Business:
Messy Ever After operates primarily online. You can find my blog and online store 24/7. When I do in-person events, I will post details here. For yearly events such as Art-A-Whirl in Minneapolis, I usually claim a studio space at Holland Arts NE.
Unofficial/Temporary Location: Holland Arts NE, Studio 3A, 607 22nd Ave NE, Minneapolis, MN
I do not have a full-time studio space at Holland Arts and will not be there unless a public event is scheduled or by private appointment.
Contact Info: Email Kelly@messyeverafter.com with any questions or comments.
Want to work with me?
I am open to commissions, commercial licensing, creative workshops, and more. Email at kelly@messyeverafter.com
Have any questions?
From blog post suggestions, commission requests, or even random questions, I’m happy to talk with you.
Want to help support Messy Ever After?
