December 9, 2021
Kelly Proctor: Home is where the art is
STORY BY alex kabat / EDITED BY olivia mckeon
Kelly Proctor (‘22) grew up finger painting and drawing cats in her childhood home just fifteen minutes outside of Ithaca. She studies writing here at Ithaca College, and is the Student Operations Assistant to the Writing Department. When Kelly is not writing or painting, she is doing what she loves the most: assisting with wildlife rehabilitation. Animals are vital to her life, as portrayed in her paintings.
Kelly joins Stillwater’s staff member, Alex Kabat, from one of her favorite places on campus: the Smiddy Lounge.
AK: Home is where the art is, I like to believe. What's your background? Where are you from, and how does that affect your work?
KP: I completely agree! I am from Trumansburg, NY, which is about fifteen minutes from downtown Ithaca and twenty from campus. Growing up in the country, I was always an outdoorsy child. It’s really where I was able to foster a love of creatures, both wild and tame. Most of my art focuses on nature and animals.
AK: How does Ithaca, as an environment, influence your work? I know there are a lot of natural lands surrounding our area, and was wondering if they played a role in what you do.
KP: Ithaca is the closest city that neighbors my hometown. Personally, Ithaca doesn’t necessarily influence my work as a city, but the waterfalls and surrounding area influence my work greatly. I love to go to spots like Taughannock Falls and Buttermilk Falls, and spend time creating in environments that are as beautiful as the ones nearby. I think growing up so close has cultivated a sense of appreciation for the land around me that I don’t quite find in other cities.
AK: That’s awesome. Overall, what do you think your work aims to say? Is there any part of it that comments on current social or political issues?
KP: I paint for other people, to make them happy. Mainly as gifts. When you walk into my parents’ home, you’ll see my art everywhere. I know I’ve given you some of my paintings on both canvas and custom clothing. As far as social and political issues, I’m very dedicated to [bringing] awareness to nature and the environment. Issues like climate change and animal extinction have always been huge for me, as my love of animals runs super deep. I have also painted works to raise money for a local wildlife rehabilitation group, called Stay Wild Rescue run by a family friend, Jane George. Every cent counts when you’re rehabilitating creatures of all kinds.
AK: That is really admirable, Kelly. I’m sure you’ve made a huge impact on animals everywhere. On a more technical note, what is your favorite medium? Do you have a specific time of day you like to create?
KP: My favorite medium is oil paint, for sure. I used to finger paint as a young child, and I did some paint-by-numbers that attracted me to the oil paint lifestyle. It was hard to master at first, but I found myself slowly getting used to the medium. I love how malleable oil paints are, and how I, as an artist, can create so many different textures in my pieces. I prefer to create at night. After a busy day of classes or work, I find myself winding down by painting. It’s so therapeutic, and helps alleviate any anxiety I have. That’s why painting is such a perfect activity for me before bed: it’s never been something I feel that I have to get perfectly right.
AK: Other than being a wonderful therapeutic method, what else motivates you to create paintings. We’ve talked about the locations and animals that have influenced you, but what people in your life drive you to create?
KP: Yeah, I’d definitely say that I have always been influenced by myself. It sounds strange at first, but I have always been a pretty independent creator. I can appreciate and admire others’ work, but I don’t find myself seeking to emulate their various styles. Other people do motivate me to create, though, in the sense that I would love for my art to reach their hearts. Art is crucial to society as a whole, because it allows for expression and freedom. I want to show my truest self in my art, and pass it along to others, so they can feel the genuine happiness that radiates from the pieces I create.
AK: I think the world could benefit a lot from art that spreads love and positivity, especially in the age of a global pandemic. In this day and age, how do you personally define success as an artist?
KP: Quite simply, I’d define success as an artist as making at least one person smile. It seems like such a cliche idea, but it’s the honest truth for me. Whenever I get a compliment on my art, or see one of my pieces hanging on someone else’s wall, I am filled with light. I don’t think you need to make money as an artist to be successful, I think that’s a pretty common misconception in the art world.
