Meet Ken Harrell | Sculptor, Illustrator, Monster Maker

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

Hi Ken, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
It’s all about putting myself out there and sharing my art with the world! I have been an artist my entire life, but I have only been looking at it through the lens of a business for the last year or so. It’s important to stay active on social media with what I am working on and sell my work at art markets and galleries whenever I get the opportunity. It’s also important to just get in the studio and keep making new work. I never get as much time as I would like in the studio, but I have to keep hustling and make time when I can.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I love making monsters! I have been doing it since I was a child. I took a break for a decade or so after college, but rediscovered my love of clay and creature creation about 10 years ago when I took hand building classes with Dean Goss at ASLD (the Art Students League of Denver).

I have been bringing to life ideas from childhood sketchbooks and it sparks new ideas and gives me an opportunity to let my creativity run wild. When I see a concept of a creature go from a sketch, to an illustration, to a sculpture, and most recently even into a plushy it brings me (and I think some others) so much joy! There is not much in this world that makes me happier than making monsters come to life.

The Little Atrocities project has evolved over the years by putting in a lot of work. I have learned that you have to make time and space to successfully be creative. It doesn’t happen overnight and you have to hustle to create something special.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Best thing about Denver is the proximity to the mountains. I love taking trips to go on hikes or camping. Music scene in Denver is also great! I have seen some great shows recently at the Mission Ballroom. If you want to venture outside of the city Red Rocks is always a fun time and, in my opinion, the Mishawaka Amphitheatre in Fort Collins is arguably the best outdoor venue in the world. I have had some amazing times soaking in the Colorado sun dancing to bluegrass right along the Poudre River.

We are members at the Botanical Gardens, Denver Zoo, and Denver Art Museum. All great spots to stroll around with our 8-month old daughter.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I don’t think I can limit it to just one person! My wife Katie (also an artist, incredible photographer!) is the most supportive and loving person in my life. It can be hard to balance art with everything else in life, especially with an 8-month old daughter at home, but she always supports me being an artist. She is my rock and I could not do what I do without her.

I am also the newest associate member of Castle Clay Artists, a Denver based ceramics co-op. Being part of this community of incredibly talented and knowledgeable ceramic artists has been a gamechanger for me. I have so many mentors there guiding me on not only the processes of clay, but the art industry as well and what it takes to make it. I am truly humbled to now have colleagues that used to be instructors of mine like Shelley Schreiber, Dean Goss, and Lynn Hull and others. Their mentorship has been priceless.

Website: https://littleatrocities.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/little_atrocities/

Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/LittleAtrocities

Image Credits
Katie Redfield