Conversations with Chelsea Baumgartner

Today, we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Baumgartner.

Hi Chelsea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers.
Hello! I’m Chelsea, a lifelong 2D artist here in the growing art community of Fort Wayne, Indiana.

I was born into a middle-class, Christian family in Bluffton, Indiana. As the only creative member of a noncreative family, my parents did all they could to nurture my interest in drawing, from gifting me art books as Christmas gifts to finding anyone willing to provide affordable art classes to me during the summer breaks.

Throughout high school, I had originally planned to go to college for a business degree and keep drawing as either a minor or just a hobby. However, senior year rolled along, and I felt compelled to go all in to pursue an art degree. I knew that it would be the less secure option for job prospects once I obtained the degree, but I ultimately trusted in my faith in God: that He would provide a way for me to make this natural talent of mine work out.

I’m genuinely fortunate I made the switch. Surrounding myself with peers who had the same passion for the arts and art professors who saw my hunger to learn helped to cultivate my natural talent to refine my skills. Every day was an opportunity for me to zero in on my own aesthetic for pen figure drawings, as well as broadening my horizons to fluid palette knife paintings and woodcut printmaking. Gaining my BA in Art at Indiana Purdue University in Fort Wayne, Indiana, was no obstacle.

Once I departed, I continued to practice all that I had learned: traveling around Italy for an accelerated drawing class through the university, attending figure drawing sessions the Fort Wayne art community offers to the public, applying for local calls for entries, dipping my toes into art fairs, and taking on art commissions when I could—all while working full-time to cover the bills when the art sales fell short.

It all sounds simple, but there are endless avenues one can attempt to succeed in the world of art. It took me years to navigate the best option for myself, but I’m happy I found my way to becoming a represented artist at GalleryK on Broadway in Fort Wayne, Indiana, showcasing my figure drawings and soon-to-be abstract expressionistic paintings and linocut prints.

Can you talk to us about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Ha, I wish! The road to get to this point was a bumpy one and still can be from time to time. I could go on for hours about the obstacles I’ve encountered and to continue to work through. I would say my biggest challenge is to forego waiting for all the circumstances to be perfect. To be completely transparent with you, I almost declined this interview for that very reason.

I’m still growing and in the beginning stages of this profession. By no means do I have a stellar social media presence, a breath-taking website, or steady income through my art career all figured out. However, I will not allow these insecurities of mine or my tendencies to self-sabotage to be my downfall; in fact, I hope my vulnerability with you all will be one of my greatest strengths.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Oh gosh! My work can be pretty diverse, so I’ll try my best to be brief!

The body of work that got me in the door to GalleryK on Broadway, and what I would be most known for, are my ink figure drawings. I have always had a passion for drawing people, but through years of drawing, I found my sweet spot in celebrating women’s bodies. My illustrations capture their brilliance in all states of being, which comes effortlessly for me to share being a woman.

So whether it be in her joy, frustration, sorrow, or candid moments- there is beauty to be found in all the complexities we experience naturally in our natural bodies. I take pride in executing each work tastefully. Balancing on the fine line that comes with showcasing nude bodies literally and symbolically is a challenge that I have worked diligently to master.

My abstract expressionistic paintings are, in a sense, my means of escape. By nature, there is no way to mess up an abstract piece because there is no subject matter, only inspiration. Some may find the idea of creating without a reference unnerving, but allowing my imagination to run wild is where I thrive. I design each painting with a specific color palette.

From there, my canvas is covered with a base coat, and then I use an assortment of palette knife techniques to apply thicker layers of color and develop different levels of textures throughout. These take me longer to complete, especially when using straight oil paint. It’s well worth it though; I always feel a sense of accomplishment when I can call one of these finished. It’s tricky to not just keep going and overwork a piece, but it takes a trained eye to know when there is enough on the canvas.

After years of not cranking out some prints, I’ve finally made my way back into printmaking. I’m rediscovering my love again for it! My current project is a series of prints of an innocent pinky promise as a means to symbolize bonds while introducing race diversity to my portfolio. It’s still in a trial-run phase to find the best way to signify different races respectfully, but I am aware that minorities need to be represented, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to include.

What I learn here will eventually be incorporated in my figure drawings – it’s just easier to have an endless supply of prints that I can use in my trial phase vs drafting out an entire drawing for something that may or may not work.

What were you like growing up?
Besides being a creative kiddo growing up, I was quite the introverted, scaredy-cat. Throughout grade school, I hopped around from friend group to friend group, hoping to gain a sense of belonging. Whether it was a self-perceived belief or not, often times, I felt like the outsider looking in. Observing people was my means of finding common bonds with others by reading body language, facial expressions, and emotions.

Essentially, I was developing the skills I use currently for figure drawing and networking with other artists, clients, or guests of the gallery in my formative years. It really wasn’t until I moved out on my own that I was forced out of my own shell and started to thrive as the authentic, independent woman that God created me to be.

Pricing:

• Framed Figure Drawings starting at $225
• Framed Paintings at GalleryK on Broadway starting at $595
• Linocut Prints TBD

Contact Info:

• Website: www.cbaumfineart.com