My name is Kelly Stamblesky and I am a mostly self taught artist. I received an art scholarship out of high school and proceeded to take courses at Kent State, Center for Creative Studies and Lakeland Community College(where my high school art instructor, Mr. Ray Lillback, convinced me I was already at a professional level and that taking classes was fine but I wouldn’t really ‘learn’ much.)So I continued working in retail management due to a lack of self-confidence.

In 1996, my dear dad died and my life went on a slightly different trajectory. I started reassessing my life and the decisions I made. I realized that I had to overcome my insecurity and apply myself in a creative field to reach my potential. I was working as a visual merchandiser when dad died and the day of his funeral I found out that I had obtained a job at the Cleveland Museum of Art as a merchandise assistant in the Museum Store. I was surrounded by other artists and intellectuals who pretty much were in the same boat as myself, under performing in our personal lives but generally getting by. The nice thing about working with other artists is that there is an energy that flows through the space and you just naturally become more energized and productive. I started making plans on how could get from point a to point b. I left the museum after slightly less than a year because I couldn’t live on my own and living with my mom at the age of 28 was just not acceptable to me. I went back into retail management where I quickly learned I couldn’t stomach the environment. I started taking metaphysics classes and met a man there who owned a bakery. He soon became my next boss and I worked for Michael for 1 1/2 years. It was an ideal job because I only worked 4 days a week and could work on my art the other 3 days. I also was still able to support myself(even though I didn’t have much money to live on, it still worked.)

I met my mentor, Janet Rosenberg, at the bakery. She was one of my greatest advocates and truly helped me to get even closer to my goal of being a professional artist. Janet had me illustrate a book that she had written for her grandson and shortly before she passed away this year we had discussed me re-illustrating another book that she had another artist illustrate. She set up interviews with associates she had in the career department of Lorain County Community College which helped me further refine my life plan. Then Janet introduced me to my next boss(and now my dear friend, Lynne Alfred).

Lynne had recently opened a wearable arts,contemporary craft and gift shop. Her husband was in the midst of a cancer scare and she needed someone to help with the store. I was that someone and I stayed there for 5 1/2 years until I met my husband and moved away from Cleveland for a short time. It was at the Dancing Sheep that I started finding my voice and confidence. This gift has to be attributed to Lynne , her patience and understanding and her belief not just in me but in everyone’s potential. I was introduced to so many people, places, things and concepts thanks to her. Those experiences have shaped the woman I am today and the art and work that I do and will continue to produce for years to come. I haven’t reached my professional goals yet.(okay, so I had to get married and have a baby, I am 40 now for Heaven’s sake, I was running out of time!)I’m further refining my life’s goals and will continue the struggle to overcome the insecurity that still sometimes plagues me. I hope within a few years to have my business go from fledgling to thriving. That will be a tribute not to my hard work but to all the wonderful people who have extended their hands and hearts in friendship and love.