Hi Kelli, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?

Recently in my life I have come to realize that I truly value my relationships with people in all areas of my life. This includes my family, friends and even coworkers. I am very others-focused which I believe is what makes me more inclined to be a generous person. The root of where I think this stems from is both the example set by my parents and our faith. One of the golden rules says to treat others the way that you wish to be treated. Whether it’s dedicating my time to help someone or just spend time with them. I also love giving gifts and making things for people. I never expect things in return. I believe that giving fulfills me more than just serving myself. So try being generous and see where it takes you!

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

By day, I am a graphic designer at a local university. By night, I am an artist. If I’m being completely honest, “artist” is a title that I’ve only recently started to call myself. Since my personal art doesn’t pay the bills, I struggled to call myself an artist for a while. Yet, I’ve recently realized that regardless of the medium or purpose, if you’re creating, you’re an artist. Period.

Art has always been a part of my life in some shape or form. My favorite medium is to draw with pen and ink, but I find a lot of joy in trying out different techniques and forms of art. overall my style tends to gravitate towards making things cute. I’ve never perceived myself as cool or sexy, so I think that reflects in my artwork. Cute and colors make me happy; I’m pretty much a child. Over the last several years, I have submitted my artwork to be put on display at various art pop-ups in the San Diego area. Through that I’ve gained a number of connections within the local art community. The university I work at has also given me opportunities to both sell and display my artwork on campus.

The reason I applied to work at a local university was because I personally had a great experience in college and I wanted to be a part of helping to shape that experience for current students. Though my current position has given me the privilege of a full time creative gig, the university has also opened doors to many other opportunities. What I find to be the most rewarding is working for an organization that has a purpose that I can get behind. We get the privilege of helping to nurture our future. I even have the privilege of mentoring a student myself! I have had a varied professional background, and being able to share my experiences to help teach someone is really humbling.

Another opportunity that came my way was the chance to be on the executive board of our Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) Faculty-Staff Association. Through this experience I’ve been able to connect with so many different people across campus. It also gave me an opportunity to get plugged back in with the APIDA community.

My goal with my work experiences and my personal art life is to be able to bring them together somehow. I want to be able to support both our students and our faculty and staff in some capacity and hopefully bring art into the mix. I’m already seeing a lot of intersecting points, and so I can’t help but imagine the possibilities! In fact, one of my upcoming art shows that I’ll be participating in is an Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) art show for the month of May at Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla, CA.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

The three qualities that I believe helped me to get where I’m at today are Adaptability, Taking Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.

My adaptability makes me a flexible individual. It has helped me to learn new things and adjust to many different job settings and tasks. I also tend to go with the flow a lot, so I don’t rock the boat often and am always a team player.

Being adaptable also helps to support my interpersonal skills. Through all of my jobs, I have learned to work with a variety of people from all different types of backgrounds. Because of this, I have been able to maintain positive relationships with people both at my current and past jobs. People are willing to vouch for me even after I leave because of the trust and reliability that I’ve built up with them.

Lastly, taking initiative. I have a lot of ideas that I am not afraid to share or lead to implement if given the space. I am willing to step up and go the extra mile at my work when needed. I also took the initiative back when I was starting out to take up volunteer positions to help boost my portfolio and make connections with people in the community.

My best advice is to lean into the fear of getting out of your comfort zone. I am naturally an introverted person, so a lot of these skills took time to gain. With more practice and exposure, you can eventually find the right groove for yourself. Just don’t give up!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I want to continue to build up connections with local art communities in San Diego or just Southern California in general. I’d like to see if there is a way for us to connect and collaborate to help support the students, faculty and staff on our campus through art.

If there is also a way for me to get connected with Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) communities and organizations in the local region, that would be great as well! Thinking even more specifically, any form of art (visual, dance, song, music, film, etc) that also is linked to APIDA culture would be amazing.

In general I am looking to build a network of strong relationships that can be mutually beneficial. If you want to get in contact with me, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

ORIGINAL POST

It’s been quite the year so far, but I just wanted to share this article that I wrote with Bold Journey about what I’ve been up to and what I’m looking forward to working on soon.

Recently in my life I have come to realize that I truly value my relationships with people in all areas of my life. This includes my family, friends and even coworkers. I am very others-focused which I believe is what makes me more inclined to be a generous person.

By day, I am a graphic designer at a local university. By night, I am an artist. If I’m being completely honest, “artist” is a title that I’ve only recently started to call myself. Since my personal art doesn’t pay the bills, I struggled to call myself an artist for a while. Yet, I’ve recently realized that regardless of the medium or purpose, if you’re creating, you’re an artist. Period.

Read the entire article here!

This is an activity that I’ve considered for a long time. Every time I went to the zoo I would daydream about what it would be like to just take my time to watch the animals and possibly draw them. For one reason or another, I would not bring myself to do it. Until one day… I finally decided to just pack my backpack and jump in my car and head to the Safari Park on my own.

These are a few of the times that I’ve learned after going several times now:

Over a year has gone by since the last women’s event, which amazingly happened right before the lockdown. I remember I chose to do a movie and board game activity last year, and there only ended up being 3 people. This year I still wanted to do a low key activity, but this time try out a craft that I’ve never done before. Hence, Macrame!

At first when I sat down, I felt a little intimidated by the activity. The general vibe of macrame is an aesthetic that I don’t really relate to. I tend to be more dorky and less boho. However, when we finally started tying knots, I realized my crafty skills were going to save me.

The first set of square knots were easy to get through. It sort of reminded me of tying lanyards or friendship bracelets. The patterns were easy to pick up on too.

Then came the most confusing knot that I had ever done: The double half hitch knot. I think I had to start that one over several times because I kept doing it wrong and ending up with no string!

Eventually I did manage to figure it out (I think), and then could move on to the next knot and eventually could call it a day on my macrame. I ended up deciding to not trim my strings at the bottom. I kind of liked the uneven look of it.

When they were cleaning up, they ended up asking if we wanted to take any supplies home to make another one, and I was all over that.

I ended up working on it a few days later after work with the intent to send it to my mom for Mother’s Day.

Doing the activity after a full day of working on a computer proved to be very therapeutic. It was nice to be able to do a somewhat mindless activity that used my hands and got my eyes off a screen.

Attempting to come up with my own pattern was very mind-bending. I think I had to untie knots several times since I kept having an extra one, or missing string when I would finish a row. Eventually I figured out all my mistakes, and I could finally finish my random design and was pretty pleased with the outcome.

Not sure if I will do this again on my own, as far as buying supplies for it, but who knows. Overall, it was a good creative change of pace for me, and I enjoyed the new experience.

Hi Kelli, looking back, what do you think was the most difficult decision you’ve had to make?

One of the hardest decisions I had to make was whether or not to take the leap to move down to Southern California from Oregon. I didn’t have a job lined up. I didn’t really know anyone in the area. However, I knew that the only way for me to grow in my career was to leave the small college town that I had made myself comfortable in, and spread my wings and take a risk. I’m happy to say that, that risk ended up paying off. I think that my creative career took a turn for the better, and I’ve never felt so in tune with my creativity than I do now. 

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.

My style tends to gravitate towards making things cute. I’ve never perceived myself as cool or sexy, so I think that reflects in my artwork. Cute and colors make me happy. I used to think that there was something wrong with that. Why am I not able to draw detailed things, with complex lighting or shadows? Then one day I realized that when I draw, I tend to favor things with bold, clean lines. I tend to favor art that can communicate something in a very simple form. So instead of being hard on myself when it came to style, I decided that it is time to embrace that about myself. However, I never want my art to become stale or repetitive. So every now and then I’ll change things up by trying out different color palettes or coloring techniques. This challenge helps me to discover more about my capabilities, and from there, my art continues to evolve. I never want to be like a band that once you hear one of their songs, you’ve heard them all. I want my art to continue to surprise, and to continue to improve, and of course for myself to have fun. I take pride in knowing that my art grows with my personality over time. Some parts of it are still the same, but I can proudly say that I’ve come a long way.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

The city of San Diego is really great, but ever since the Pandemic hit this year, I have found a lot of comfort in wide open spaces, and the outdoors. I would probably take someone to go hiking in east county to see things like Eagle Rock on the Pacific Crest Trail. I would take someone to see the small down of Julian (on a non-touristy weekend. I would opt for an Airbnb in an area I’ve never been to before so that I could explore its surroundings. Basically just taking them to places I’ve always wanted to check out, but never had an excuse to in the first place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?

It seems pretty cliche, but I would have to say that my family and friends have been a huge support to me. They’ve always encouraged me to sell my art and put myself out there, and when I did, they have all been there to back me up. Whether it is buying my products, or just recommending me to their friends and loved ones. There is no way that I would be here without them. I’ve also met many other creatives who have been equally supportive and encouraging, and never look down or feel the need to compete.

Original article was found here: https://shoutoutsocal.com/meet-kelli-urabe-graphic-designer-illustrator

Believe it or not it was maybe only the 3rd time I’ve ever been to California Adventure. The only rides that I ever got on were the Ferris Wheel and the California Screaming Coaster. So I have basically missed out everything new and old at this park.

Aside from being able to ride SO MANY rides this time, due to the park not being crowded and possibly being my best day at Disney by far, my main highlight of the day was stopping at the Animation Academy in the little Hollywood area.

When we arrived at the building we found out that the next class for the “How To Draw” was going to be of Baymax! One of my favorite Disney/Marvel Characters EVER. It really felt like destiny.

I think the last time I ever sat in on this class was when I was on a high school trip for band. I remember the instructor talking to an animated character and the room in general.

Drawing Baymax

For being such a simple character, it was interesting to hear such specific instructions on how to draw him correctly. It was also fun to see the different iterations that the people around me were creating as we got the same instructions. I overall enjoyed being able to sit down and draw for a moment, which has been pretty impossible lately due to work and navigating my new position.

Here’s my result. What do you think?

It was really good to take a break at the parks to do this, which normally I never do when at Disneyland. I’m usually so used to running around the entire time trying to get on as many rides as possible. If you ever get the pleasure of a leisurely visit, I recommend coming here for a nice break!

I can’t believe that it is already halfway through summer already. Where did the year go?

The pieces that I chose to go up on display are my Super Moon piece from the Backfence Society show, as well as a few pieces from Inktober last year, and my ArtSnacks challenges.

This show will run through Feb 10th! If you’re in the area, stop by for a drink and some yummy treats. My personal favorite was the s’mores bar. They also are dog friendly, so if you’re looking for a quiet place to study or chill, come on by!

• OMNIBUS
  Jan 16 – Feb 10 at Deja Brew Lounge
  Curated by CharmingMinx and Thumbprint Gallery
• The Way I See It
  Jan 29 at BASIC Bar/Pizza
  Curated by Thumbprint Gallery
• GamerCon 2019
  Jan 31 – Feb 3 at Tenth Avenue Arts Center
• Craft and Canvas
  Feb 2 at Pockets Biliards Brew
  Curated by Thumbprint Gallery
• Love at First Slice
  Feb 2 at Urbn Coal Fired Pizza
  Curated by Backfence Society
• Melting Pot II
  Feb 6 – Mar 1 at Mike Hess Brewing Co. North Park
  Curated by Hanalei Art Works
• Kaleidochrome
  Feb 26 – TBA at Deja Brew Lounge
  Curated by CharmingMinx and Thumbprint Gallery
• Put a Bird On It
  Feb 26 at BASIC Bar/Pizza
  Curated by Thumbprint Gallery

Am I crazy for doing all of these? Most likely. But I need a good challenge, and I guess these are it!

Every artist has a unique story. Can you briefly walk us through yours?

I’d hate to be cliche, but I was one of those kids that was surrounded by the arts starting at a young age. What I was fortunate to have are parents that didn’t discourage me from pursuing a creative future. Born and raised in Hawaii, I decided to venture off the rock in the Pacific and study Digital Art in Oregon. I graduated with a B.S. Degree in Digital Art, and minors in Communication Studies and Fine Art.

One of the biggest challenges in my artistic journey was the post-college job hunt. Getting used to rejection was something I felt I could add to my resume after a while. At one point in my life I had 4 part-time jobs, most of them didn’t have anything to do with what I got a degree in, or let alone utilized it. There were many times where I thought about throwing in the towel, and settling for what I had… but I never gave up.

After living in my college town for 3 years, & searching for full-time graphic design jobs to no avail, I decided to take the leap and move to California. It was scary, but from then on, my art life took a significant turn, and the decision to move became one of my best decisions to date.

Not only did I land a full-time position as a graphic designer, but I also found myself joining more creative communities. In the fall of 2016, I stepped out of my comfort zone, and participated in my very first curated art show in San Diego. From there, I have met so many other local artists who are very encouraging and oh so inspiring. I’ve always received support from my friends and family, but it’s nice to meet people that not only understand you, but who you can share the artistic journey with.

Please tell us about your art. What do you do / make / create? How? Why? What’s the message or inspiration, what do you hope people take away from it? What should we know about your artwork?

My art is all over the place, meaning, I can’t narrow it down to one specific genre or medium. My handle on Instagram is called “A Funny Thing Called Art” (as well as an art blog I started in college) for a reason. Even though my main love is to draw, I always found myself wanting to try out other traditional mediums and creative outlets, including digital art, photography, and videography. Basically whatever helps me to explore this funny thing called art (See what I did there). Quite honestly, I tend to get bored doing the same thing over and over, and that’s why I like to mix it up. 

Even with all that said, overall my style tends to gravitate towards making things cute. I’ve never perceived myself as cool or sexy, so I think that reflects in my artwork. Cute and colors make me happy; I’m pretty much a child. Every now and then I manage to draw something really cool and out of my comfort level, and it always throws me for a loop. I think I’m still trying to figure out what exactly my style is, but in the meantime, I’m just having fun! That’s the way I think art is supposed to be.

How or where can people see your work? How can people support your work?

All of my recent work can be found on Instagram @afunnythingcalled_art, so any follow or comment on there is greatly appreciated. I also have an online store where I sell stickers of my work, and hopefully some other cool products in the future! Additionally I have a Ko-fi account that I am working to get up to speed to accept commissions.

As far as seeing my art in person, I do a lot of shows that are curated/sponsored/produced by Thumbprint Gallery in San Diego. I will normally announce when I’ll be in those on my Instagram, but check them out for their latest shows, and to maybe participate in one yourself!

We often hear from artists that being an artist can be lonely. Any advice for those looking to connect with other artists?

Speaking as an introverted person, I would have to say that you need to try and step out of your comfort zone and get out there and meet people! Whether it’s at a pop-up show, or at art shows, or a meetup group. I have met so many artists that way and have had many great conversations with them, either talking about their techniques, or just their stories.

Another thing I would suggest for those who don’t have those opportunities is to get more social on social media. Instead of just “liking” someone’s post, comment on it! Ask other artists questions, or even send them a message once in a while saying you like and support their work. Basically, interact with them if you can, and reply to people that comment and support on your work.

All of this can be awkward at first, but over time you’ll get used to it. Remember, it’s only awkward if you make it awkward. Don’t do it expecting people to always reciprocate, because that is not realistic and I am not going to promise that. However, if you genuinely show artists that you care for their work and journeys, they’ll notice and so will others, and things will likely work out from there.

ORIGINAL POST

About a month ago I was contacted to do an interview for the online SDVoyager magazine. I was referred to by a friend, and gladly accepted.

Today the article went live, and I wanted to share a tidbit of it with you all. It was a nice experience reflecting on my creative journey; coming from Oregon, and just letting my creative career and pastime take on a new life of its own.

Here is a small tidbit for you all:

You can find the rest of the article by clicking here.

Thanks for your continued support!

First off, I have to say that I was one of those who was skeptical about this film. When I first saw the animation style in the trailers, I wasn’t sure if I would like it. The slower frame rate sort of got to me. Much like the Dragon Prince… yet everyone was hyped about the film and I didn’t know why. Maybe it was just the “unfinished” feel of it all. I was also still fresh off of the Spider-man homecoming film that came out the year prior, and I LOVED that film.

I wasn’t originally planning to see this film, but a lot of the artists that i follow on Instagram were giving it good reviews, and overall I heard good things about it so my partner and I went together. It also sort of helped that he had just finished the Spider-Man game on the PS4, which also introduced Miles Morales, so we were high on the Spider-Man.

Anyway, the movie… WAS AMAZING.

I left the theater in total awe. I couldn’t figure out where to begin. Everything about this film was just amazing.

The part that I was most skeptical about (the frame rate/style) was the best part! I loved how they intentionally went with the frame rate and they completely OWNed the style. It didn’t feel unfinished in any way, it was a complete package, and clearly a lot of love and care went into it.

I loved that the entire film felt like a moving comic book too.
To be honest, I am growing tired of the Disney Pixar aesthetic, where everything looks smooth and hyper realistic. All of their films are starting to look the same. It was okay when Tangled first came out and it was fresh back then, but now all of their films essentially look the same (of course they are only making sequels). The look and feel of Spider-Man is so fresh, and I felt really pushed the medium of Animation to the fullest. Combining 3D animation with 2D renderings.

The story of the film was great too. I still felt surprise, as well as loved all of the humor in it. I laughed so much during the film (audibly), and had other reactions as well. The film had humor, heart and soul.

Needless to say, this film requires big-screen viewing, and I am already planning to see it a 3rd time in theaters if I can.

Additionally, if this does not win the Oscar for best animated feature film, and Disney takes the spotlight again…I will RIOT… probably alone in my house cause I love it the most. Lol

Do yourself a favor, and see it!

_______

EDIT: WATCH IT ON NETFLIX HERE

Since you can read all about DesignerCon in my post from last year, I’m just going to go over this year’s highlights instead!

The Exhibit hall was BIGGER

Maybe it just felt bigger because everything was so spread out, but when it reached about halfway through the day, I realized there was still over half the convention hall to make it through! What I did appreciate was not feeling cramped, and really just enjoying looking at people’s booths and being able to move on, instead of moving a couple feet to interact with the next booth.

We got to meet Danielle Fishel

Better known as Topanga from Boy Meets World, my friend managed to spot Danielle right as she was finishing up for the day. Sheepishly we inched over to ask for a photo, and she kindly obliged. All the while trying to remain incognito. Due to the low key interaction, we couldn’t talk to her for very long, but it was still cool to meet her!

Chatting with Artists

Just like last year, I had a chance to sort of just chit chat with a few of the artists again. Here are a few to note!

• Punching Pandas – I was actually told about this person from a family friend who is actually good friends with their family! I started following them on IG and saw they were going to be at DesignerCon, so I made it a point to say hello.
• Pikarar – When I happened upon this booth, I realized something about it seemed familiar. Turns out, I used to follow this person on DeviantArt many years ago! It was cool to see her creating again after I fell off the DA scene.
• Art of Kelly Johnson – This conversation ended up starting after the Con, but I felt it was worth noting. After picking up a business card from her booth, I decided to check out her Instagram, and I realized that not only is her name also Kelly, but she hails from San Diego, AND she has a dog that looks almost exactly like ours! We connected on Instagram, despite me feeling like a total creep. Haha.

Anyway, DesignerCon was as amazing as last time, and my wallet just as broken too. If you seriously haven’t gone yet, what’s holding you back?