Meet Kelly Smith Smart | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kelly Smith Smart and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly Smith, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I have been an Artist for as long as I can remember. I never really wanted to be anything else. For me; creativity is a staple of my life. If I am not creating; I feel incomplete and stagnant.
Like many creative people; I can never just do one thing! I am always learning new things and searching for new experiences and inspirations. I create both art and jewelry. To fully embrace these endeavors; I hold Paint/Craft classes a few times a month, I have a website, Etsy shops for both Art and Jewelry and I vend at several events each year. I have my products displayed and for sale in two stores: The Red Shed Market and TGS Farms Country Store & More. All my Artsy stuff, including Class Sign-Ups, Calendar of Events, Etsy Shop Links, Social Media Links and more can be found at moonglowhaven.com. I also co-host Moon Fest, which is a family-friendly, inclusive festival. We are a twice-yearly event with over 30 Arts and Craft vendors, food trucks, entertainment and more. Check us out at moonfest.us .
Being an Artist can certainly have its ups and downs; but so many things keep me going. One of the most fulfilling things about being an Artist is the connections I make with the people who connect with my creations. I get the opportunity to create custom intention bracelets, special gifts, pet portraits and more. I love watching people who say they aren’t creative light up as they complete their masterpiece in my Paint Classes.
I tend to be my own worst critic so I feel so satisfied when the image in my head is brought into fruition in just the way that I had imagined it. Creating is one of my outlets in life that keeps me sane and makes me feel fully alive. When people adorn their homes with my art or wear my jewelry, I want them to feel as though they have a tiny treasure with them that evokes thoughts of their favorite place or a special memory. I want them to feel as though they possess a creation sparked from passion and magic that has the power to turn an ordinary day into an enchanting one.
I will continue to pursue creativity because I can’t imagine life without Art. Creativity brings me joy, fulfillment, satisfaction and improved mental health. I hope that pursuing creative endeavors brings you all this as well.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a mainly self-taught Artist. My first “drawing” can be found in my baby book from age 1 ½; it was a portrait of my Daddy. Art has been a constant in my life but it’s usually not particularly easy or without challenges. Although I have had other mainstream jobs to pay the bills over the years; I am now at a time in my life where I have the opportunity to devote more time and effort into making art a more substantial part of my income. That is both exciting and scary at the same time.
Being an Artist can be a lonely job if you aren’t careful. I think that Artists need alone time to think about who they are, what they’re passionate about and what creation they want to bring to life. Over the years; I have become accustomed to solitude when creating. I can concentrate and get in my groove the best when I am alone and free to listen to the music that inspires me and keep whatever nocturnal caffeine and chocolate-fueled schedule I please. It’s very easy to slip into being a bit of a hermit though so I am intentional about making time to spend with family and friends to ensure I get out of the house and am social. There’s a big difference in being alone and being lonely.
I have learned over the years that practice does bring improvement, I am my own worst critic, trust my instincts and keep on creating the things that I love. You can’t make everyone happy so concentrate on yourself. If you don’t fill your own cup; then you’ll have nothing to pour out to others.
Art remains exciting to me because there are infinite possibilities of what I can create. As long as I continue to watch sunsets, listen to music, spend time with amazing people and read good books; there will always be new adventures waiting and inspiration to keep creating new things.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We’d have to get in a little of all my favorite things! The Carolinas have so much to offer! We’d have brunch at Blue Moon Specialty Foods in Spartanburg; Chicken and Broccoli Quiche and Pimento Cheese Grits for me! Venus Pie Pizzeria is a delicious place for lunch and they have a cool little thrift store next door. After that, maybe a hike somewhere. Jones Gap State Park is beautiful, especially in the Fall. We’d pack a picnic lunch to take for afterwards. Another day would be spent in Asheville, NC. We’d definitely visit my favorite chocolate shop Chocolate Fetish for decadent top shelf Ecstasy truffles! Then we would explore some of the Art Galleries in the River Arts District and maybe hit up an Art Festival such as LEAF or Asheville Art in the Park. Lake Lure would be another fun-filled day. We’d stop by Fae Nectar to enjoy a glass of mead and maybe some Celtic music or a festival. We’d stop by Mocha’s Mug coffee shop in Boiling Springs, SC for a delicious molasses cookie and a mocha latte or go to Gaffney and hang out at Zakary’s coffee shop to enjoy their Drink of the Week special. We’d swing through Chesnee, SC to shop in the Red Shed Market and check out their Halloween T-shirts and fresh baked cookies delivered from Big Tasty Bakery. Then, we’d settle in at Creative Leap for a Paint Class. We could drive to Cowpens and check out TGS Farms Country Store for fresh produce and handcrafted vendor offerings and then walk across the road to Cowpens Coffee & Creamery. And, it wouldn’t be complete without going to Barnes and Nobles to browse books and have a piece of Godiva cheesecake at Starbucks. To wind down and take care of our mental health at the end of the week; we would schedule a visit to the Habit Beverage Lounge for a smoothie, coffee or mushroom drink and then experience their other business-Flow State Spartanburg for contrast therapy. We would be guided through meditative breathwork, then sit in the sauna for 5 minutes. Then, we would see how long we could stay in the cold plunge tub at 45 degrees! 3-4 minutes is great! After this, we would be feeling zen and relaxed. These ideas are only a fraction of all you can find to do around this area.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who have encouraged and supported me through the years but I would be remiss if I didn’t mention two people in my life.
One is my husband, Tony. He always supports me in every aspect of my creativity. He works tirelessly to build whatever display pieces I decide I need, carries all the heavy stuff and helps me set up and vend wherever I go. He puts up with me neglecting housework or supper when I am caught up in my creative groove and can’t be bothered. He puts up with my temperamental ways, encourages me when I need it and always admires my new work. He provides unwavering love and support and I know that he always has my back.
I come from a line of very strong women. My Mama is the encourager of my creativity from day one. She has always encouraged me to follow my dreams, no matter how far away they may seem. She is an Artist as well and we have collaborated on many artistic adventures together over the years. I am thankful for the artistic abilities I got from her but more so for the strength I learned from her. From her I learned to have a can-do attitude and to always trust in my abilities and talents. Here’s to many more years of adventures together!

Website: https://www.moonglowhaven.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moonglowhavenart/ and https://www.instagram.com/moonglowhavenjewelry

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoonGlowHaven/

Other: TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kellysmithsmart