Why Creativity should always be about Fun and Discovery | Kelly Rossetti

Kelly Rossetti is a contemporary abstract and figurative painter who found her creative voice after leaving a corporate career in fashion. In this interview, she shares her journey from a fashion career to becoming a full-time artist. She opens up about her love for both abstract and figurative painting, her passion for experimenting with different styles, and the challenges of not fitting into a single artistic category.

Kelly talks about the thrill of creating a large-scale portrait purely for herself, the impact of studying at a small NYC atelier, and the joy of building a life on her terms. She also offers advice for aspiring artists, encouraging them to explore fearlessly, accept failure, and trust their creative voice.

Kelly Rossetti, b 1979, is a contemporary abstract and figurative painter working out of her studio in Bridgeport, CT. While primarily self-taught, she studied classical oil painting at a small Atelier in NYC, where she credits getting her foundation and love of the figure. Kelly works in both Acrylic and Oil and often utilizes an array of mixed media to achieve depth, texture, and marks.

1. How would you describe your art style, and what inspired you to become an artist?

I’d describe my style as loose, spontaneous, and always open to exploration. I don’t have just one “style,” and I don’t focus on just one type of work. It took me a while to embrace that because there’s often pressure to fit into a single artistic box—but that’s just not how my brain works. I love shifting between different projects, sometimes from week to week, sometimes from day to day. After spending 13 years in the fashion industry, I decided to pursue a life with more creativity. I hadn’t picked up a paintbrush since high school and had no idea what I was doing, but I loved it. Strangely, I had this deep confidence that one day, I could call myself an artist. So I started painting every day, took some classes, and before I knew it, I was on my way.

One of my biggest inspirations was my teacher, Leah Lopez. She showed me what it looked like to be a professional artist. I still remember walking into her small atelier in NYC—a dark, intimate space where she could teach six to eight students at a time. The smell of oil paint filled the air, and the walls were covered with her gorgeous work. Still-life set-ups were everywhere, with racks of different objects, metals, and fabrics. The studio had massive windows with heavy drapes to shape the light just right. It felt like magic. I took many classes with Leah over the years, and I loved every minute of it. That’s when I knew I wanted my life to feel like that. I wanted to walk into my studio every day and feel that same sense of magic.

My abstracted landscapes refrain from rigidly adhering to any fixed landscape, acknowledging the perpetual flux of nature.

Kelly Rossetti

2. Can you tell us about a particular piece of art that holds special meaning for you?

This is an easy one—I think because it still stands out in my head as one of the most fun experiences I ever had painting. I often get these little nudges in my mind about something that I want to do…and it was to paint a large-scale portrait. I haven’t even painted that many portraits, but I’ve always been intrigued with painting faces. It was 60” x 48”, and I worked on it over maybe 3-4 weeks. It was work that was entirely, care-free, and 100% for me. I swear it has about 20 layers of oil paint. It went through so many iterations, and I just loved the process of painting that one so much. Some work pushes you to a new place, some paintings teach you something, and some fail. This one made me feel bliss.

3. What challenges have you faced as an artist, and how did you overcome them?

I know I’ve already touched on this, but I tend to shift gears and paint whatever feels right in the moment. One day, it might be figurative work; another day, abstracted landscapes. My work on paper looks very different from my non-objective abstract work on canvas. There’s a visible thread that connects everything I create, but the pieces can feel quite different from each other. That can be challenging, especially on social media, where having a distinct, singular style is often seen as the mark of a “true direction.” You can’t do all the things, right? And while I understand that perspective, I also push back against it.

Why can’t I do all the things? Who decided that an artist has to fit into one category? I think about the artists who came before us, before everything was constantly documented online. Did they stick to just one type of work? Didn’t they explore and experiment before landing on something that felt impossible to ignore? Don’t get me wrong—I deeply admire artists who work in one way and evolve their style over time. That kind of focus is incredible. But it’s just not me. I’ve learned to embrace how my brain is wired and work with it instead of against it. Luckily, I have collectors who appreciate all the different kinds of work I create, which I’m incredibly grateful for!

4. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your art journey?

The most rewarding part of my art journey has been the ability to build a life on my terms. Working hard for yourself is a completely different kind of reward than working for a corporation. I don’t get the Sunday scaries—in fact, sometimes there’s nowhere I’d rather be than in my studio. That doesn’t mean it’s always easy. Some days are tough; things don’t go as planned, and there are plenty of failed paintings. But it’s all on my terms. I have no one to answer to but myself. And one of the best parts? My kids get to see me work hard and live my dream.

In all of my work, I aim to evoke and capture emotions that resonate upon viewing. My goal is for each encounter with my work to reveal new details and nuances that may have escaped initial observation.

Kelly Rossetti

5. What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

My advice to an aspiring artist is simple: don’t be afraid to be exactly who you want to be. If you want to explore still life, watercolor, portraiture, abstracts—do it all. How else are you going to figure out the kind of artist you want to be? At some point, yes, you’ll need to narrow your focus. You can’t be great at everything, and eventually, you’ll have to choose. But don’t rush that process. And honestly, there’s no such thing as a single “style” anyway—your style is just you. It’s in the marks you make, the colors you gravitate toward, the choices you make over and over. It all comes together naturally—you just have to give it time. Paint as much as you can. Failure is just as important as success—probably more so. And remember, this is a long game. Oh—and inspiration isn’t a given, but you show up anyway. You commit to your practice, whether it’s in a studio or at your kitchen table, and you show up every day. No matter what.

Kelly’s story is proof that it’s never too late to follow your passion. She reminds us that art isn’t about fitting into a box; it’s about experimenting, making mistakes, and finding what feels right. Whether she’s painting an abstract landscape or a bold portrait, her work is all about freedom and emotion. Her advice to other artists? Keep showing up, trust your instincts, and enjoy the process. To learn more about Kelly, visit the links below.