If someone had told Jess Keeli during her high school days that she would be running a thriving art business in the future, she probably would not have believed it.
Jess leads a dual life as both a full-time pharmaceutical chemistry student at La Trobe University, Bendigo, and a part-time artist. Despite this, she confesses that this was not a path she had envisioned for herself when she graduated from high school.
“Contrary to popular belief, I didn’t enjoy art in school,” Jess says. “I appreciated the creative aspect, but I disliked the need to assign meaning to everything, especially when there often wasn’t any. I just wanted to paint a yellow sunflower because that’s what sunflowers look like.”
“I enjoyed math so much that I took two math courses in my final year of high school, which many people thought was unusual,” Jess says. “However, I always found solace in being creative in my free time at home; it was my escape.”
This statement suggests that the person named Jess took a gap year after secondary school and during that time, her creativity developed. She initially copied other styles, but as she experimented, she found her own unique style.
This statement implies that Jess started considering turning her passion for art into a business after friends and family asked for prints during her first year of college in 2019.
This quote indicates that Jess considered starting a small online business selling her artwork, and the thought of earning extra money was exciting for her.
This statement suggests that Jess established her art business, “Jess Keeli Creative”, and initially had a few sales every month. However, by the end of 2019, she became more focused on the business aspect and became more business-oriented.
This statement highlights that Jess created social media accounts to promote her business and started building a small customer base. Due to the lockdown in 2020, her business experienced growth, and she was excited about receiving one order a week. She also started promoting her business in a Facebook group for local businesses.
This quote shows that Jess initially had doubts about the success of her business, but then her business experienced a sudden surge, and she couldn’t explain the reason behind it.
This statement highlights the rapid growth of Jess’s business. Her post in the Facebook group had over 1,000 interactions in just 20 minutes and received over 350 orders in 24 hours. Additionally, her Facebook page quickly gained followers, growing from 300 likes to over 10,000.
This statement describes a situation that was hectic and stressful, with many tasks being added quickly, making it difficult to keep up. The person’s mother recalls hearing them trying to give commands while trying to pack, but more tasks kept coming in.
This statement indicates that the person was running a shop and had to close it down temporarily to attend to all the tasks. It took them a week to finish shipping the items, and they needed another week to recover from the intense workload.
This statement suggests that Jess was not present on the campus of La Trobe University in Bendigo when the hectic situation occurred. The timing of the situation was deemed fortunate because Jess was not there.
This statement suggests that Jess was in Portland, away from college due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related lockdowns. Jess was fortunate to be at home and have extra time due to not having to attend classes in person. Their parents were also present and available to help, and Jess expresses gratitude towards them, indicating that they wouldn’t have been able to handle the workload without their assistance.
That’s great to hear that Jess’s business is doing well with regular orders coming in. Quitting commissions is a wise decision to balance work, life, and study. It’s important to prioritize self-care and manage one’s workload in a healthy manner.
It sounds like Jess was experiencing high demand for her artistic services and had a long waiting list. It’s understandable that she had to turn down some requests in order to manage her workload and maintain a balance between work, life, and study. Quitting commissions was a responsible decision that allowed her to prioritize her well-being and focus on fulfilling the existing orders.
Even though Jess has quit commissions, it seems like people are still suggesting ideas for her artwork. While it’s great to have a steady source of inspiration, it’s important for Jess to stick to her decision and not take on new commissions. Maintaining a balance between work and personal life is crucial for overall well-being. It’s commendable that Jess is taking steps to prioritize her health and well-being, even if it means turning down certain opportunities.
It’s completely understandable that Jess has a personal aversion to drawing magpies due to negative experiences with them. It’s important to recognize and respect our own boundaries and feelings, and not feel pressured to take on projects that may cause discomfort or stress. Jess is well within her rights to decline requests to draw magpies and focus on subjects that bring her joy and creativity. Art should be a positive and fulfilling experience, and it’s important to prioritize one’s own well-being and mental health in the creative process.
It’s great to hear that Jess’s artwork featuring Australian animals and flora has been well-received by customers and has even made its way overseas. It’s a testament to the charm and beauty of Australia and the impact that art can have in bringing people together and reminding them of their roots and home. It’s wonderful that Jess’s work has been able to serve as a source of comfort and connection for people, even when they’re far away from Australia.
It’s interesting to see that the pandemic has led people to be more conscious of their living spaces and to consider investing in art. This shift in focus highlights the importance of creating a comfortable and visually appealing environment, especially during uncertain times. Jess’s experience in receiving increased interest in her innovative products shows the growing demand for unique and creative artwork that can enhance one’s living space.
The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly had an impact on consumer behavior, with many people now placing a greater value on local and handmade products. This shift in mindset can be attributed to the increased awareness of the importance of supporting small businesses, especially during challenging times. By choosing to purchase locally made products, customers are not only supporting their communities, but also investing in unique and high-quality items. Jess’s observation that customers are now more likely to buy products made in their city, state, or country highlights the growing trend towards supporting local businesses.
It’s wonderful to hear that Jess has had the opportunity to collaborate with other local businesses and creatives. Collaboration can bring a fresh perspective and new ideas to the table, leading to exciting and unique results. Jess’s enthusiasm for working with others and combining her artistic skills with others shows her passion for her work and her desire to continue growing and evolving as an artist.
It’s also reassuring to know that Jess has plans to balance her science career with her small business, and that she intends for it to continue to thrive in the future. This shows her dedication to both her passions and her commitment to providing her customers with high-quality and unique products.
Jess’s approach to balancing her passion for both science and art is inspiring. It’s not uncommon for people to feel pressured to choose one path or the other, but Jess’s decision to pursue both shows that it is possible to pursue multiple interests and passions. Her statement that she “could never do one without the other” highlights the importance of embracing all parts of one’s identity and interests, and not feeling limited by societal expectations. Jess’s dedication to both her studies and her art business is a great example of how following one’s passions can lead to a fulfilling and well-rounded life.
