Today we’d like to introduce you to Kailee Collar.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
As far as I can remember I have always been an artist. This is something my parents saw in me at a young age. Knowing this, they created a supportive space for me to explore any curiosity or creative bug that I had. Although my creativity and artistry was supported and encouraged, I don’t think that anyone around me knew what art could look like outside of being a hobby, especially growing up in rural Idaho where being an artist was not a known career. Truthfully, as I got closer to picking a major for college, I couldn’t understand how art could be a career either so I went with what felt like the sensible and safe route, a business major.
To my surprise art has ended up having more of a role in my life than I thought possible. Here I am today, a full-time artist. The interesting thing about my journey is that this dream to be an artist was not planned or something I ever gave myself the permission to explore. My aha moment, the moment that changed everything came to me on a red-eye flight home. I was listening to a podcast on dreams and desires when I was faced with the question of what my dreams and desires were. I got off the plane realizing two things – one, that I was dreamless, that I was merely going through the motions of life and had become another cog in the wheel. And two, that in order to figure out what my dream was I needed to create space. So space is what I created, I quit my job. It was one of the easiest choices I have made in my 32 years. It was all so clear to me.
I spent the first year living off of my savings and really identifying what it was that I wanted to do. Realizing that I wanted to be an artist, I came up with a flexible plan and started building out the backend of my business. And this past year, I have been focused on creating my portfolio and expanding both my network and my clientele.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
Initially I transitioned into being a freelance artist with loads of excitement and trust. There were many things falling into place, things happening all around me that confirmed I was right where I was meant to be. I was about a year in when I first started feeling the “struggle”. I wasn’t used to an inconsistent flow of cash. Prior to becoming a freelance artist I always knew when and from where my money was coming from. Around the same time I found myself facing bouts of imposter syndrome, something I also wasn’t used to. Even though these were uncomfortable and trying moments, I learned a lot through the process and given the choice, I would still take the bumpy road.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a multifaceted artist. I’ve never been the type to focus my energy on one thing, especially when it comes to my art. I am known for doing “all the things”. My main areas of focus, what I am really passionate about and what I see myself doing for the long haul, is murals and digital illustration. Both specialties have led me into other similar avenues like chalk art, window art, signage, branding and web design. If you follow my personal work, you’ll quickly notice my dreamy design style. Most of my work has fine lines and is influenced by botanicals and the celestials.
Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?
I’ve got my go to podcasts. The one I encourage you to listen to, the one I listened to on that notorious flight home, is episode 63 ” Dreams and Desires” on Brooke Castillo’s, The Life Coach School podcast. I also listen to the Drunk Astrology podcast to help map out my week – coordinate any meetings, send proposals, take time off, create more, etc. Outside of that I’m really big on community, finding them and building them. I’ve been fortunate enough to work with and learn from other local muralists and artists.
Contact Info:
- Website: bykaileecollar.com
- Instagram: @bykaileecollar
