November arrived and we were off to the holiday season races launching new artists, massive group shows, and everything in between. At Well + Wonder we love this time of year! So y'all may be saying to yourselves "ladies, take a break this holiday week" and to that we say never! We are sending ourselves into Thanksgiving week the best way we know how and that, my friends, is by launching yet another fabulous Well + Wonder artist! Join us as we say, welcome Chelsea Hart! Chelsea received her BA in Visual Studies at Western Kentucky University and now lives and works as a contemporary painter and muralist in Denver, CO. Chelsea explores vibrant, layered florals through bold colors and a child-like sense of playfulness. She creates intuitively with acrylic paint, allowing her emotions and memories to guide each painting. She creates complex layers and unique moments on the canvas, viewing her art as a time to reconnect with her inner child and authentic self. Chelsea encourages the audience to appreciate the magical moments of everyday life and see through the lens of their own inner child. As we prepare for Chelsea to join the W+W team we wanted to get to know her more professionally and personally. So, on the eve of her Well + Wonder release, we sat down with Chelsea to chat and learn a little more about this talented artist…
What is currently on your nightstand?
I have my journal and my favorite pens, along with what I’m currently reading - right now, currently that’s a thriller, a glass of water always, and hand lotion
Who is your biggest influence as an artist and why?
Impossible for me to just pick one, I’ve been inspired by hundreds of artists over the years! Currently, I love Sophie Treppendahl for her use of color and how playful her paintings are. I saw a solo show of hers recently and couldn’t get enough.
Tell us about your childhood. What is the most memorable moment as a young person?
I grew up in Cincinnati in a household where creativity was always encouraged. One of the most memorable moments was my parents waking my sister and me up late one night to come outside and watch a meteor shower. They had sleeping bags and hot chocolate on the deck, and we all laid out under the stars.
If you could only have one supply in your art studio, what would it be and why?
Acrylic paint because it’s my go-to medium, and I love how fast it dries, which works well for creating lots of layers in my work.
What is your favorite room in your house? Describe it.
I have a tiny book nook that’s barely 8 ft wide. One corner of the room has windows that look out to our backyard, the other corner has shelves filled with books and a built-in bench topped with lots of mix-matched pillows. The cutest, coziest room in the house.
What is your biggest score online?
Does buying from ceramicist artists online count? I love having a bunch of mix-matched mugs and something one-of-a-kind to drink my coffee from. Plus, I’ve tried my hand at making ceramics…not easy! I respect the artists who can do that and want to support them.
What is the benefit of buying art through a collective? What do you recommend for those that are new to buying original art?
Buying through a collective is wonderful because it exposes you to various styles and types of art while still keeping an overall vision, so you know what to expect from the collective. A collective does the hard work for you by sifting through many artists, choosing talented creatives that fit within the vision, and making art that shines on its own and works well with the other artists within the collective. A one-stop shop for collecting in your particular style!
As for advice for those new to collecting work, trust what you like! You don’t need an art history degree or a gigantic budget to buy original art. If you’re drawn to a piece, lean into that feeling. I’ve never known anyone who bought an original piece and regretted that decision.
If you have the entire day to spend in an art museum, which one and why?
I recently visited The Whitney in New York for the first time and loved it. It was way less crowded than the MoMa (always a plus), and the variety of art was spectacular. Would happily visit there again and wander the floors of art and the outdoor terraces.
What is your favorite hotel and what makes it special?
My husband and I usually stay at The Langham in London. Everything about it is high quality.
If you were a lipstick color would you be red, pink, or clear and why?
Red because it’s bold.
I can never get on a plane without….
headphones and a book.
How did you get into the world of art?
I don’t think I’ve ever not been in the world of art. Even as a kid, I would attend summer art fairs with my mom and later went to college for art. I was always drawn to it, and that fascination eventually turned into a career in the arts.
What do you do to relax?
House is clean, favorite candle is lit, I have snacks and a glass of wine, my dog cuddling with me, watching a new movie or series.
When do you get the biggest surge of inspiration?
Traveling and exploring new places always brings me inspiration.
Prediction for the Color of 2024?
A cool blue
What is your idea of a date night? Dinner and a movie or dancing all night?
Either, just depends on my mood!
Tell us about your favorite painting that you have created.
An orange and green vase of flowers that leans abstract. It was when my style of art and subject matter shifted a bit, and after creating it, I felt like, “this is it!”
One piece of advice for buying original art?
Don’t worry about what everyone else likes, buy art that speaks to you.
