Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly McMahon.
Hi Kelly, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Growing up, I loved all things crafty and creative — I have always been happiest when I’m in a creative space. Australia has a rather conservative view on career paths, and the cautionary tale of ‘she who made no money from art’ was a bedtime story I got used to. Instead, I was sold the dream of a graphic design job, a practical way to have a creative career a dream that my younger self was happy to pivot to.
After graduating university with a Bachelor of Visual Communication, I took a position as a graphic designer at a small boutique design studio in Melbourne, Australia. For a number of years I soaked in all I could about the world of design, the commercial design space wasn’t all I had hoped it would be and as my love affair with graphic design wavered, I began illustrating in my spare time.
This little hobby quickly grew into a steady social media following, commissions, and online store, and then my first convention. As I saw success in this ‘side gig’ my desk job looked less and less appealing. I was given a chance to walk a career path I hadn’t imagined was possible, one where I could build my vision, not someone else’s, and that truly excited me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Whilst I had a good momentum early in my career, covid stripped my business back to day one. Overnight, I lost three years of freelance work, the ability to ship overseas (85% of my customers are in the US), access to my international network, and all my in-person events were canceled. It truly broke me, I took such pride in what I had accomplished; for the first few years of my career, I opened an email almost daily that forced me to rework one aspect of my business, over and over again. You quickly realize that the treadmill is changing pace, and you are either going to have to keep up or you fall off altogether. I did everything I could to keep my business up and running, online panels, readjusted my online store to accommodate the outrageous shipping fees DHL and Aus Post put on us, took on all the freelance work that came my way (even if it wasn’t in line with what I wanted to be building towards), indulged in fan projects to keep up skills, did zoom catch ups with other creatives, tried designing new products, applied for as many galleries and online promotional opportunities as I could, continued to reach out to the network I had, launched a Kickstarter and most importantly tried to keep drawing! I threw myself at everything I could and hoped that something stuck.
As we enter a new way of life post covid, I’m slowly rebuilding and reworking my business to fit this era. I’m learning to fall in love with my process again, after feeling like I’m in a constant battle to keep my head above water, it is a wonderful feeling to be able to indulge in my craft again. To see my work hung in galleries across LA, have my designs published on comic covers, to be back at events talking about my craft, and meet the people who have supported me along the way– I have to stop and pinch myself at times, some parts of my business still feel as though they are back at square one, but others have really flourished and I’m grateful for the way I’ve grown from this.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a graphic designer and illustrator based in Los Angeles by way of Melbourne, Australia. Known for my minimalist style, composed of sophisticated vector shapes and bold colours. Whether working as a commercial illustrator, graphic designer, or as an artist creating personal pieces, my designs are inspired by both the iconic sense of style and balance found in mid-century design.
My work has been featured in collaboration with The Massive-Verse, Clerks III, Jay and Silent Bob Reboot, Radiant Pink, NO/ONE, and Deer Arrow amongst many others. Select pieces can be seen at Gallery 1988 (LA) and Hero Complex Gallery (LA).
My real love is in the balance of narrative and design, which has led to my playing card series Imperium and Bad Blood — two projects I’m incredibly proud of.
What matters most to you? Why?
The ability to keep creating matters most to me, I can’t remember a time when art and design weren’t a part of my life — and I don’t wait to! It has always been something I’ve gravitated to. My childhood was filled with picture books and animations; my fascination grew beyond the characters on the screen and towards the people who brought them to life. Disney’s Mid-Century era was the first to truly capture my attention — the 60’s in general has been a huge influence on my artistic expression from the music to the furniture, graphic design, and storyboard animation. But it was Mary Blair’s bold and colorful forms that had me dreaming about a bigger career.
That dream has helped me through the hardest times and allowed me to celebrate my expression of life. Art and design should continue to be a reflection of the human condition, not an algorithm’s interpretation of what has come before us. Like many creatives, I’ll fight for this expression to keep what I love a part of my every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kmmcmdraws.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kmmcmdraws/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kmmcmdraws
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmmcmdraws
- Other: https://kellymcmahondesign.com
Image Credits
Head Shot credit Jason Lau
