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Kelly Bjork is a local Seattle artist. She launched a stationery goods studio, Pilgrim Paper Co. this past December with her partner and founder, Teresa Grasseschi and are currently in 9 Seattle locations, and 1 in Olympia! She has recently had illustrations published in the Washington Post, illustrated a cover for The Stranger, and 2 covers for Seattle Weekly. She just wrote and illustrated her first comic, One Week, that was released this past June; co-published by Mount Analogue and Cold Cube Press in their annual publication Spicy Metal. Winner of the Winter Art Walk Awards + 2nd place in the Summer Art Walk Awards for a collaboration she did with her partner, Joe Rudko, for drawings they did of one another. She has been working on her own personal paintings since last fall and has been showing regularly again (a thing she wasn't sure she'd find her way back to!) She currently has a piece up at Zinc Contemporary (the show is up through September 2nd)! Go check it out!
JB: WHAT'S IN YOUR BACKPACK, PURSE, POCKET, FANNY PACK RIGHT NOW?
KB: Currently in my backpack-purse: my wallet, my tiny red calendar, a moleskin sketchbook. hand-lotion, sunglasses, my allergy pills, glasses cleaning-cloth, menstrual cup, a lighter, bobby-pins, chapstick, a wet-nap, keys and a pencil!
JB: WHAT DO YOU DREAM OF?
KB: I often dream of having a tiny home or a cabin near a river or the ocean. I would be able to work remotely from this spot away from bustling city life, but close enough where I can visit.
JB: WHAT TIME DID YOU GET UP THIS MORNING?
KB: 9am!
JB: WHO DO YOU ADMIRE?
KB: I admire so many strong women in my community, whose voices stand up for those that cannot speak for themselves. I am not a wordsmith in any way and appreciate those who are able to find the words that I feel, but cannot articulate. I'm looking at you, Emily Pothast, Kim Selling, Sara Long, Adria Garcia, Kimberly Trowbridge, Elissa Ball, Rachel Ravitch, Chelsea Werner-Jatzke, Margie Livingston, Phoebe Wahl and Teresa Grasseschi!
JB: WHAT IS YOUR SECRET SUPERPOWER?
KB: Cleaning the entire house in lightning speed, and I believe I am a kitty-whisperer!
JB: WHAT ARE YOU LEARNING RIGHT NOW?
KB: I'm attempting to learn how to balance my studio life with breaks and time off, so that I don't crash and burnout -- I want to be able to make this unconventional lifestyle work in the healthiest way possible!
JB: WHAT'S THE LAST PLACE YOU TRAVELLED TO? WHY?
KB: Humboldt County, California last spring to meet my best gal, Sara Long's family and see where she grew up! This place is so magical and it was such a treat to visit all the secret beaches with my personal local, and favorite painter!
JB: WHO'S YOUR PIC (PARTNER IN CRUSHING IT)?
KB: My life partner, Joe Rudko. We're both working artists and trying to navigate this weird world together. Our studios are in the same building, and his work ethic motivates me like no other. I'm lucky to have a feminist partner to share a home and life with -- and our kitty, Heschke too!
JB: WHAT'S THE NEXT THING ON YOUR CALENDAR?
KB: Currently finishing up final designs of the lady superhero print for Oiselle's sports bra! I am beyond excited about this project and how it will help young women stay active.
Also, this fall, Pilgrim Paper Co. will be releasing new batches of birthday, love + encouragement, and holiday cards! Keep your eyes peeled for those, and all our winter pop-ups!
Big thanks to Kelly for crushing it. Check out her site here!
