Meet Trailblazer Kelly Perez

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Perez.

Kelly, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I’ve always liked art and decided to pursue a career in CG Animation in high school. After 9 years working in animation, I wanted to get back to painting. So, I started on canvas with acrylic and then slowly got into painting on my phone. Now, all my pieces are created on my iPhone and I paint over them with acrylic and glitter after printing them on canvas. This idea works perfectly with my core belief that art should be accessible to everyone and not cost an arm and a leg. With the use of digital prints, I can keep all my paintings between $25-$222. About 2 years ago, I decided to set a goal to be more ‘out there’ with my art. So, I’ve tried live painting, asked to paint a mural (currently working on my third!), been a vendor at music shows and set up my Instagram art page @Find.it.Inside.

Has it been a smooth road?
Everything has been a lot of work, especially while working full time in animation. But it’s been fun and I’ve learned what I like to do and what I really don’t enjoy as far as being an artist in LA. It really is a hustle, and you have to be your biggest supporter. I have ‘Believe in yourself,’ written on my whiteboard in my room. I read it all the time. I know that hard work does pay off over time. I’ve seen it my animation career and I’m slowly starting to experience it with my painting career. Allowing yourself to be creative in any way is always rewarding. Through my art, I hope to encourage others to just create, we all have such unique ideas it really doesn’t matter if it’s successful or not.

We’d love to hear more about Find.it.Inside.
A majority of my work is inspired by the magical connections and experiences found inside all of us when we choose to connect with our inner selves. I like to paint images that have never been seen before. Fantastical worlds right above our normal perception. For my murals, I like to paint words that can help, inspire or encourage viewers. I use biodegradable glitter to accent powerful words in the phrase, such as ‘Joy, See, Feel.’

What’s the most important piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Start and keep going. There will never be a perfect time to start, the answer is always now. Everything takes 2-3 years to get going so might as well start sooner than later. Once you’ve started, be prepared for a lot of NOs, but don’t let those get you down. Keep going. There are endless opportunities and avenues towards every goal. Leave no stone unturned, keep asking, trying. Someone will say ‘Yes’, paint my wall or yes, I love this painting. Those are the people that matter. If you can reach one person you’ve done enough.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: Find.it.Inside

Image Credit:
John McGough

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