LIONESS of the week: Kelly

This week's LIONESS is Kelly, an artist and thrifty fashionista who loves British media. Check her out! Where are you from? I was born in Kansas. We only lived there for a year because of my dad's job though so I don't remember it at all. My family heritage is in the West Indies, which accounts for my features and mannerisms, which I'm told are unique. It wasn't until I got older that I noticed all the things I was raised around that indicate my mother's Bajan upbringing. Now as an adult, I really enjoy finding out more about them and how they set me apart.
Tell us a bit about yourself? I'm madly in love with art in all it's forms. I'm studying to become a graphic designer in university right now and I LOVE it. I'm really excited yet terrified for my future because of it, and that keeps me motivated to work hard. On a more random note, I'm in love with the show Sherlock and most British media in general. Pretty much anyone who knows me could tell you that. I'm a huge music snob. I much prefer tea to coffee. I love horror video games but am deathly afraid of horror movies. I rarely watch TV; I prefer my youtube subscriptions. I want to work in the film industry someday. As much as I love fashion, I have little desire to work in the industry which I guess is a bit odd. That pretty much sums me up. Click the link below for more!

How would you describe your personal style? Comfortable. I really just wear whatever attracts me and is reasonably priced, with a few exceptions (generally shoes). That basic description never changes much, save for a few nuances here and there. For instance, the two winters ago, I wore a lot of reds, golds and florals, while this most recent winter I wore (and still wear) mostly blues, greens and ethnic patterns. This may or may not have to do with my ever changing hair (which I've dyed again since both the pictures here).
Love your artwork! What, or who, inspires you? Thanks! That means a lot! Fashion and television inspire me mostly. I have always been very partial to the human figure as a subject matter. I like to put little meaning and detail into each piece I create, but I also enjoy a simple, well executed piece that may not have any planned meaning. My most successful work is some hybrid of the two. One commonality is that my work is neat. Clean lines and smooth gradients. I think that's a byproduct of some selective OCD.

artwork by Kelly
What advice would you give to someone who's feeling uninspired? Don't think too hard about it. I always, ALWAY overthink everything. But I honestly work best when I just turn my mind off, when I let it wander and the pencil do it's thing. Something I like to do while drawing (or studying or eating or anything really) is play a movie or some music. It gives me something else to focus on and often times ends up inspiring me in some way I didn't plan, which is alway fun and interesting.
Your hair is great!! When and why did you decide to go natural? Thank you! I thought so too! Heh heh :D I went natural almost two years ago. It wasn't so much a decision as it was a chain of events. I'd just moved out for college and my trusted hairdresser was now an hour away, back at home. I was starting my slow descent into vintage fashion which usually features big, curly hair. Now that I think about it, I recall it was mainly your old blog over on tumblr, Jacque, that initially inspired me. I was striving for this pretty red hair colour and my relaxed hair was just not having any of it, which lead to a lot of breakage. And I was starting to realize that my constant attempts to have straight hair and "look white" (I know that's not everyone's reasoning for relaxing their hair but it was for me) were just not realistic and never going to make me happy. Letting go of those dry damaged ends was probably the most liberating thing I've ever done for myself and it was almost completely on a whim. I'd been somewhat unintentionally transitioning for seven or so months. I say it was unintentional because I was really just wrapped up in school and wearing my hair curly because it was easier. And when I was about 3 hours into the arduous task of detangling one weekend, I just went into the room of my flatmate (who is also natural) and said "cut it off". I've never been as happy and confident as I am now.

artwork by Kelly

Any tips for natural newbies? Don't get hung up on having the "perfect" curl pattern! It's fine to look at natural hair and get yourself excited or prepared for the feat you're about to undertake, and it is a feat. But don't let yourself be discouraged if it's not what you expected. Personally, I am someone who has to let myself get used to things. I can never make a decision about liking a new hairstyle on the first day. So when I was in the early stages my feelings about my hair ran hot and cold. They still kind of do, but at least I know what to expect now. To me, wearing your natural hair is not about having good hair vs "slave hair", which is a terrible thing to say. It's about being happy and healthy and comfortable with yourself. About simply enjoying your own skin rather than depending on these "Beauty Crutches" (to use Taren Guy's term) to feel beautiful. Let your hair do it's thing. It will grow on you (pun intended). I often have to remind myself of that when I got frustrated. Hair dye generally keeps me pretty content though.

If you could have tea with anyone in the world who would it be? Benedict Cumberbatch. He plays Sherlock in the BBC's modern adaptation (ie. the best show ever). Say what you will about my fangirling, but he is a very diverse and intense actor, and an incredibly thoughtful and intelligent man. I would love to sit with him and pick his brain, asking about his detail oriented acting and his thoughts on the characters. That is, if I could stop hyperventilating long enough to get a word out. I mean, just lookit those eyes, man.
And lastly, what's one thing you love about yourself? As much as I gripe about it and as much as it fights me, I do love the fact that I think and notice so much. I get it from my dad and I really feel like people who don't think like we do are missing out on so much! Granted, they probably sleep a lot better at night but, you know. One thing I can objectively say as an artist about Sherlock is that it is a very well thought out show with many little details and hidden meanings and it makes you think. I really enjoy programs like that because it makes it fun to go back through and watch it two or three or ten times. I know how this sounds and I'm not saying this to be conceited, but I feel like those types of movies and shows are made for people like me because I pay attention to all that detailed work. That's a big part of why I want to eventually go into film. Now if only I could direct that sentiment towards school..

Kelly....you're awesome! You can find more of Kelly at her: blog: http://roselesque.blogspot.com/ website: http://bykellyrose.com/ tumblr: http://roselesque.tumblr.com/
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