Deep in the Art of Texas

            Soft sunlight gently leaked through the window of her in-home art studio as she sat on the carpeted floor. The cat, Pearl, purred and licked her paws, tail extending and swishing, trapped in a sun beam. Her shy dog, Chester, sniffed around papers scatted sporadically on the floor. A nostalgic mess made by the creating of handmade art. At peace in her own space, Lubbock, Texas native, Daley Bullock spoke about the influence of Texas, her mental health, and family roots in the building of her art-based business, Daley Kaye Studio.

 Who are you? What has your journey to creating Daley Kaye Studios been like?

I've always done art in some capacity. My mom and I took classes together when I was in high school. My grandma is a really talented artist who used to illustrate for cookbooks and magazines. She’s talented in a way that I will never be.

I went to school at Texas Tech University where I mostly studied photography. That's really what I thought wanted to do after I graduated. The job I got after college was a good mix of photography and graphic design, which I hadn't studied at all. So, I learned a lot of graphic design after my first year. That really helped me find my artistic style. Then in 2020 when quarantine hit, I decided that I would work really well for myself and that it would be better for my mental health. So, I quit my job. Thankfully, Hunter, my husband was able to keep us afloat while I figured it out. Which I was very privileged to do, not everybody gets that opportunity.

Daley Kaye Studios actually kind of came about by accident. I had never posted art online before, but I posted my Texas wildfire print on my personal Instagram and people were like, “I want to buy this.” I said to myself, “Oh, I guess I should have prints made if people want to buy it.” I was already creating art like crazy. I just hadn’t shared any of it. I had prints made and stickers that I started selling at the downtown farmer's market in Wolfforth, Texas. I think the first farmers market I had was one of my most profitable. It was very encouraging, a confidence boost, because it's hard to put yourself out there. Later that year, I took an online art business class, it was a twelve-week program. That was very helpful and taught me things to help move my business forward, but I still feel like I'm refining what it is that I'm doing everyday.

In a world where digital art and online creating is so prevalent, why did you choose the mediums you work with?

I think after doing so much graphic design, I missed doing something with my hands. Of course, you can use hand drawn elements in graphic design, but most of what I did was on the computer. I really missed the connectedness you feel with your artwork when it's actual tools. There are imperfections and you can't erase paint. I think since I'm not a perfectionist, I love the idea of just having something that felt more genuine.

I am drawn to Linocut block printing. I actually just taught myself that about a year and a half ago because I liked the style. I like getting to play with negative and positive space. I didn't know anyone else doing it. I want to be different and create differently.

How do you feel like you maintain your same style, image and who you are through your art?

I have a hard time sticking to something. I get bored sometimes, so I like to mix it up. With Linocut Block Printing, I was surprised that I found something that I feel like I won’t get bored of.

I think a lot of what makes my art cohesive is the inspiration and subject. I'm drawn to the same colors over and over. I recreate them naturally in every medium that I use. I am drawn to lots of color and vibrancy. But it is not too bold, it's more toned down. When I'm mixing my colors for my block prints, I see what goes into it. There are a lot of added whites. It's a tendency to tone everything down a little bit. I feel like that's what helps keep it cohesive. Having more than one style it’s just me, it’s just how I create things.

It's clear in your business that these pieces seem to be a part of you. What is it like to be the owner of a small, especially art, company?

I think I definitely feel like my business is me. I have to put who I am into it in order to make it what it is. I'm not making loads of money. But I'm able to help support our family with something I'm really passionate about, and something that I feel like I'm growing in. I have lots of goals about where I want to go and that feels really exciting to me. I feel proud of myself and hopeful about what can become. It can be discouraging, that's for sure. Some seasons are not super fruitful. Some things fail or just don't work. I've learned a lot along the way about not taking things to personally or making sure that I like what I'm doing. It's for other people, but it's coming from me.

Being born and raised in Lubbock, how do you think Texas has shaped and influenced your art?

Oh, a lot. Big Bend is one of my favorite places. I have a lot of Big Bend and other Canyon inspired art. I really like the desert. I don't think I would like the desert as much if I wasn't from here. I feel pride about where I'm from and I think that comes through in my art.

Do you think Texas has nurtured you, as a small business owner?

It totally has! Texas is a great place to start a small business, the community here so supportive. I don't know if I would have found that in other communities. Creating here feels very communal. Because everyone is very different but there is room for all creators here. I think it's been a huge asset to my business to start here.

What draws you to create in this way? What pushes you to create?

I have to. I just feels like that's who I am. My whole life I've created something. Right now. It's this specific art for my business. Before that, I did graphics. Before that, I did photography. I don't know, I just I just feel like that's how I'm supposed to live.

In regard to mental health, what do you think, pushes you to keep going when you feel like you can't or don't want to go on?

Gosh that’s hard. I think it's really important to have support. I'm blessed by a husband who's very supportive of my business and willing to take on the tasks that really overwhelmed me and could lead me to feeling depressed. I can sit, knowing I have something I need to be doing. But I just can't do it. I don't know why. I'm thankful that I have someone who's willing to help me through it. I've gone through a lot of healing. I am thankful that God's given me the means to do something for myself. If I need to rest and take a break, or if it's a terrible day, and I can't get much done that's okay. I don't have to explain myself to anybody. I just feel very thankful for that.

What words of advice would you have to offer anyone up and coming wanting to start an art-based business?

There's probably so much I have done wrong. Establishing your brand early on is really helpful. It's okay if it changes or if it's evolving, because that's just who we are as people. Networking in the community has been really helpful. It's useful to put yourself out there. Sometimes people say no, and that's okay. At times, I get negative feedback from people. It's frustrating but I have to always remind myself, am I creating what I like? Is this what I want to be doing? It doesn't really matter what others think as long as I like what I am creating.