How Artist Kelly Angelovic’s Art Captures Beauty in Daily Life’s Chaos

Kelly Angelovic is an artist and creativity coach based in Boulder, Colorado. In this interview, she shares her inspiring journey from being a graphic designer to becoming a full-time painter, shaped by personal experiences like motherhood and her love for color. She also talks about her transition from digital work to painting by hand and how she keeps her creative spirit alive, even during tough times. Kelly opens up about her evolving creative process and her approach to finding joy and beauty in the everyday moments of life.

Kelly Angelovic is an artist and creativity coach based in Boulder, Colorado, where she lives with her husband, two kids (ages 10 and 13), two dogs, and a hamster.

Her paintings explore the beauty that surrounds us, particularly within the chaos of everyday life. Through landscapes, still lifes, and small moments, her work uses vibrant colors and playful brushstrokes to invite viewers to pause, reflect, and appreciate the wonder in the ordinary. Color is her happy place, and her art is featured on products sold worldwide, as well as in her online shop.

As a coach, Kelly helps her clients design the creative life they’ve always dreamed of by tapping into their authentic power, which she considers some of the most rewarding work she does. When not painting or coaching, she enjoys spending time in the mountains, adventuring with her family and friends.

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself and your background?

I’m a painter and creative coach hailing from Boulder, CO. In 2008, I opened my creative studio, and I’ve been a working artist ever since. I started out as a graphic designer, and then I worked as an illustrator and surface pattern designer. These days, I spend my studio time getting my hands dirty with paint. I’ve been lucky enough to work with a lot of companies, both big and small. Penguin Random House, Papyrus, Hallmark, Scholastic, Windham Fabrics, American Greetings, Workman Publishing, Studio Oh!, Pier 1, Better Homes & Gardens, and Cost Plus World Market, to name a few. My art has evolved a lot over the years. though I think the path was leading me right here all along.

My style is loose, and I like to add my own color interpretations–but it is helpful to have an initial image that helps me structure the painting.

_{Kelly Angelovic}

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2. What inspired you to become an artist?

It was my very first illustration class. Taught by a rockstar designer revered for his gig posters and album cover designs, I had to give myself a pep talk, out loud, while sitting in my car before that first day of class. “You can do this. Take a deep breath. And just get out of your car and go. You can do this.” I had decided, for sure, 100%, starting around age six or seven, and persisting well into adulthood (I was 29), that I couldn’t draw anything more than a stick figure. My palms were sweaty, and I felt like I was going to throw up. What the hell am I doing taking this class?? Notably, the teacher was the first person to tell me I had an interesting illustration style. A spark was lit. This was back in 2006, when I went back to school to study graphic design at the School for Visual Concepts in Seattle (my first degree was a BA in Business from the University of Colorado). It wasn’t until 2011 though, when my daughter was born, that I finally started to take my drawing seriously. Needing a creative outlet, I would draw and doodle while she napped, and a whole new world opened up. I fell head over heels in love with the art of image making and I haven’t looked back.

3. What is your creative process like from start to finish?

It really depends on what I’m painting. If it’s a landscape, I like to work from a photo. My style is loose, and I like to add my own color interpretations–but it is helpful to have an initial image that helps me structure the painting. Compositionally, I’m looking for an image that somehow pulls the viewer in. Next I often create a digital study on my ipad, exploring possible colors and values. From there, I jump in, usually with a layer (or two) of acrylic paint. Then I move on to oil paint to add more intense color, texture and finishing details. When I’m painting flowers, my process is usually more of an open exploration of color and shape. I may do a quick sketch to start, or use a reference photo, but only at the very beginning. Once I have the basic structure, I let my intuition guide the work.

4. How do you handle creative blocks or periods of low inspiration?

When I’m feeling creatively burned out, usually it means I need to refill my inspirational tanks and tap back into the JOY and FUN that started all of this in the first place–I need to PLAY. Sometimes, I’ll pull out my sketchbook and draw without expectation…just making marks to see where the process takes me. Sometimes, I just need to switch up my location, so I’ll head out to a coffee shop I’ve never been to, or go paint outside. And other times, I really just need to rest. Capitalism has us all believing that if we stop cranking, everything will all fall apart. The truth is that if we don’t stop every once in a while, WE will fall apart.

Capitalism has us all believing that if we stop cranking, everything will all fall apart. The truth is that if we don’t stop every once in a while, WE will fall apart.

_{Kelly Angelovic}

5. What role does experimentation play in your art practice?

I get bored quickly, and I have a tendency to chase novelty (for better or worse, the jury is still out). I want to be delighted with each new piece I create, which leads to a lot of experimentation. As artists–and as humans, really–we are always growing. I hope l never stop pushing on my own boundaries of what’s possible.

Kelly’s story reminds us that art isn’t just about creating—it’s about finding joy in the process, experimenting, and letting inspiration flow naturally, even when things get tough. Whether she’s playing with vibrant colors or helping others tap into their creativity, her journey is a powerful example of perseverance, curiosity, and living a life full of art. To learn more about Kelly, visit the links below.