ARCTIC ARTWORK | K.A.K. Lecky Illustrator Interview

Dear Friends, I’d love to share an artist interview with the creative behind our logo, K.A.K. Lecky. A multi-faceted artist with a love for the Scandinavian style.

As my very first pen pal, I finally meet Kelsey in person as we decided to collaborate creating a fairytale-inspired Snow White and Rose Red photoshoot. We always called each others for Snow-White and Rose-Red. Kelsey is as fair a maiden as any fairy tale princess with the strength and beauty of Elsa and courage and kindness of Cinderella. Speaking of fairy tales, it was Kelsey’s artwork that first led us to be friends. A small portrait painting inspired by Red Riding Hood and my autumnal bridal look. Ever since I’ve been absolutely enchanted by every creation of Kelsey’s magical world. It’s always been a pleasure to meet up with her a few times in North Carolina where she lives with her husband Daniel (who is also an artist), pumpkin cat, and snow wolf.

K.A.K Lecky had already proved to us many times through her amazing Scandinavian styled art that she had an extra dimension of artistness inside herself.

I knew there was none other that could create our new logo since she knows Jonas & I so well and it was such a joy to correspondence with her as we shot ideas back and forth to what led to the final creation of our new logo inspired by a 1930s silhouette entitled “Tea For Two” and an old cabinet card frame with a star border I found online. Kelsey captured our profiles perfectly and incorporated so many little details to truly make it unique and encapsulate the cozy fellowship we hope others feel when they join “It’s A Charming Life.” I couldn’t wait to ask Kelsey some questions so you could get to know her and her art a little better as well as get some inspiration from a kindred spirit who lives a charming life.

1. It’s A Charming Life: How would you describe your art?

K.A.K. Lecky: I would probably describe my art as doodles, honestly.  Thinking of them as doodles keeps me relaxed and playful when I sit down to paint, rather than feeling afraid of the blank page. 

2. IACL: What inspires you? What makes you pick the certain scenery for your art, perhaps your love for all things hygge and Scandinavian?

K.A.K. Lecky: I feel most at home in nature, so the forest is a well of eternal inspiration for me. Also, books. I am a voracious reader and enjoy everything from children’s books to fantasy to adult literary fiction to scientific nonfiction and beyond. I enjoy painting places that I’d like to spend time in. As you so keenly noted, these usually end up being little nooks of hygge or wintry Arctic beaches. My heart is buried in Northern Norway, in the Lofoten Islands, where Daniel and I were married. My mother’s family is Norwegian, so visiting Scandinavian landscapes in my paintings feels like going home in a way. Being in a wheelchair, I can’t always get out and travel as I’d like to, so art and literature offer a way for me to go on all manner of adventures. 

3. IACL: Your artwork skill set ranges from paper cuts, watercolor, fabric, and digital. What is your preferred medium(s)?

K.A.K. Lecky: Generally, I enjoy working in watercolor and gouache most.  They feel most natural to me, I suppose. My mother is an amazing artist and taught me to watercolor when I was quite young. To this day, every time I paint, I feel like I’m sitting by her side, reliving those wonderful memories.  I am blessed to have a mother who is also my best friend, and we frequently have doodle sessions when we get together!

4. IACL: What is a favorite project(s) you’ve worked on whether personal or commissioned?

K.A.K. Lecky: Hmm, that’s a tough question. But I must say that I love my books most of all. I joke that while many people are having babies, I’m laboring over books. I have three in progress right now: a picture book about selkies set in Arctic Norway, a fantasy novel, and an adult literary fiction novel. I love getting to sink myself into the work of creating a book, whether writing, painting, or editing. It’s a daunting and magical experience, creating entire worlds from words and colors. And exhausting.  Don’t forget exhausting.

5. IACL: You also have a way with the pen. Care to share more about your writing and any upcoming projects?

K.A.K. Lecky: Writing doesn’t come as naturally to me as painting, so I work much harder at it. I have no formal education in writing, whereas I have a master’s in illustration, so I feel the need to constantly push myself to get better. Writing is a great adventure though, as it lets me explore ideas and narratives in depths unfathomable to illustration alone. To be honest though, I find writing novels far easier than writing picture books. 

6. IACL: I know winter is your favorite season, what do you find most charming about it?

K.A.K. Lecky: I love the scent of winter forests.  There’s a magic to winter starlight, to the tracery of bare branches gilded with ice, to the silence of snow-filled hollows. I also enjoy watching Daniel and Luna, my wolf-dog, bounding through the snow, their joy almost palpable. And, of course, I enjoy the oh so hygge bits afterward when I get to snuggle up with a blanket, book, and mug of hot tea! Plus, winter is when the Nordlys, the Northern Lights, are most active. 

Thank you Kelsey for taking the time to answer our questions and for being apart of our “Charming Friends” interview series where we feature our kindred spirits and what makes them so charming! I hope you’re also convinced as I am, that she’s a selkie maiden trapped in human form longing to return to her arctic waters.
Bye For Now,
-Lindsay Dianne

P.S. You can follow Kelsey on Facebook and purchase her art prints HERE.

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