Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelsie Kosko.
Hi Kelsie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I’ve always had an interest in art. When I was younger I was with my grandma a lot of the time. She would always tell me to find something to do or I could help with chores. Naturally, I chose to find something. Shed help me figure out how to draw things. She taught me to look at an image or item and break it down into shapes. This is something that I use every day. Now I can look at something, see the shapes, and recreate it. I kept up with drawing and painting for fun my whole life. I spent a lot of time between foster homes and grandmas house as a kid. The one constant was art. I could always have a sketchbook with me and find my peaceful place in all of the crazy.
I started teaching art at 15 years old in 2014. I loved sharing drawings on social media. My local library asked me to teach a “how to draw superhero’s” class for their summer reading program.. After that one class, I fell in love with teaching art the following fall. I started a one room studio in the basement of a downtown building. I’d teach not only kids but also adults of all skill levels and using all mediums. I am fully self taught, learning most from Bob Ross YouTube videos and library books (and plenty of trial and error).
I kept teaching classes to kids and adults and started taking custom orders. I had made a goal for myself to have my art in all of the Historic Downtown Ottawa stores. I started with doing chalkboards for local coffee shops, welcome signs, and display signs. I started to really enjoy the custom artwork and many of my clients still return to me for gifts and paintings years later. I’m grateful for the folks who trusted a 15 year old to create their vision for their gifts.
In 2020 when COVID happened, I had to shut down my art studio. I continued to do custom artwork and chalkboards and local restaurants but was mostly working a 9-5 and something didn’t feel right. I never felt like I was truly happy.
In August 2021, I realized how much I missed art and teaching. It is so fulfilling to watch people open up as they create and express themselves and to help them accomplish something on the canvas. I posted a paint party on Facebook and it took off. Ever since, I’ve mainly taught painting parties. I host open events to the community, but also offer private events for birthdays, office parties and more. I also have opened up my services to window painting for businesses, face painting, logo design, and banner painting.
Focusing solely on my art studio has opened up so many amazing opportunities that I’m grateful to be a part of. This year, 2025 I painted my first mural. It felt like a full circle moment. The mural is outside our local skating rink, where I used to spend my fridays as a kid.
The most rewarding part of my work is knowing I’m helping make memories. From banners for birthdays, to painting nights, there’s not a part of owning my own business I don’t love.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think the hardest part of most entrepreneurs story is finding your market and knowing your worth. I started very young and would second guess myself a lot or underprice work. I would try to market to everyone. I think it’s important to find your niche, find your people, and foster those relationships. There’s a lot of artists and entrepreneurs out there, but no one is doing it in the same style. Everyone has a different way of doing things. The best thing you can do is keep going when it’s hard and stay consistent. Treat every client like your best client because they are. Every single client builds your business a little bit at a time
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I mostly specialize in experiences. Hosting a paint party, hand painted birthday banners, a custom painted canvas. All of these things get to be part of a special moment.
I’m most proud of the community around my art. I started by teaching kids, now those kids are growing up and host their birthday parties with me with a paint party. I have a friend who I painted and custom bouquet for. Each flower represents a grandchild in their family. As their family grows, they come back and I add another flower to their painted bouquet. Another friend had me paint a baby nursery sign for them. As their child has grown, they always get their face painted when they see me at an event. These small moments mean the most to me.
I specialize in making things fun. Life is too serious and I think art is a great way to just have fun. I believe anyone of any age can learn and create. There’s no age limit on art. I encourage everyone to just try it. You don’t have to “be good” just have fun.
I think teaching such a variety of ages and skill levels have taught me that. I used to have adult students that were so talented, I was going home and learning to skills to teach them. I think keeping an open mind and being teachable has helped me get to where I am.
I am a mobile paint party set up that comes to your location or will host an open event and collaborate with a small business
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I love that the KC area is so full of art. There’s so many opportunities to learn, create, and enjoy the art scene. And we have the best BBQ
Pricing:
- Paint Parties : $35 per painter. All supplies are provided. Two hours of painting time. Priceless memories
- Custom canvas artwork: Every piece is unique and made just for you. Get a free custom quote and mockup by reaching out.
- Window Painting: Perfect for small businesses looking to draw attention to their storefront. Custom designs starting at $75
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.createdbykelsie.com/
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/createdbykelsie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/createdbykelsie
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@createdby.kelsie
