We had the good fortune of connecting with Chelsey Farnum and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chelsey, how do you think about risk?

In a lot of ways I am a pretty risk-averse person. In life, I play it safe and try to make practical decisions. Creating art is the space where it feels safe to take risks. There are no consequences, or at least the stakes feel low. Worst case scenario, something looks like total crap and I have to start over. The consequences are never permanent, always fixable. I would like to actually push myself to take more risks in life and with my career. I think the consequences of those things are far less permanent than I assume, and I think playing it safe really holds you back. Man, I’m having a bit of a revelation here. Be bold! Bring on the risk!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

Right now I am teaching art at a public school and growing my art practice into a business. It’s a tricky balance, but I’m learning a lot as I go. In my art practice, my bread and butter are abstract painting commissions, dog portrait commissions, and these sculptures of plants made from recycled materials which are a ton of fun. Death Proof Plants I call them (no water or light needed). When I’m working on my own projects I am a major experimenter and indulge my curiosities in the studio. So painting, drawing, sewing, making things out of junk, you name it. I will say that a through line in a lot of my work is humor. I like to keep it a bit cheeky. I also explore my experience of being female quite a bit too – pushing against gender expectations, poking fun at societal norms. Like my risk-aversion, I’m not a rebellious person, but art is a safe place to really “flip the bird” to society every so often. Combining the humor with the social critique is really a sweet spot for me I think. It’s when I feel most pleased with what I’ve created, like the series of collages I named “Domesticitus.” I think using an element of silliness keeps the work from feeling preachy or self-righteous (at least I hope so).

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Being a world-renowned “Great Indoorsman” and a bit of a weirdo, our first stop would definitely be Meow Wolf. The itinerary would mainly be devoted to eating & bar hopping. That list would include Q House, La Diabla, Pho Duy, Adelitas, La Doña, Potager, Somebody People, Hudson Hill, Thin Man, ESP Hi Fi, Pon Pon, Yatch Club, Adrift, (I could keep going…I made myself a google map devoted to eating and drinking in Denver). For physical activity, I would allow for some biking around town and doing some park hangs in Cheeseman or City Park. Perhaps even a Rockies game! For historical interest/entertainment, a movie at The Mayan is a must. Thrift shopping on Broadway (depending on the friend) is another favorite of mine. A Sante Fe art walk or going to the MCA would always be great too.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

I have to give a double shoutout to Lisa Congdon and Danielle Krysa. They are both fine artists and authors of some incredibly pivotal books for me (“Find your Artistic Voice” and “Your Inner Critic is a Big Jerk”). Their art and writings have given me some much needed perspective on the way I view myself as a creator, as well as insight on shifting my art practice into a business. Coincidentally, both made decisions to become full time artists in their mid-thirties, which really helped me take the plunge to roll back my teaching schedule to part time in order to pursue my art career more seriously. They are my gutsy, risk-taking role models and I love them.

Website: chelseyfarnum.com

Instagram: @studiowurk

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