Artist opportunities now: artist on couches by Kelly Joy Ladd
Explore with Munchies Art Club Magazine the essence of art and creativity on Instagram with artists on couches.
This unique art project simplifies the artistic process and fosters inspirational conversations between Kelly Joy Ladd and the artists she invites.
Artists on Couches is a masterclass in creativity and authentic self-expression, inviting everyone to join the discussion.
About the Founder Kelly Joy Ladd, her art practice thoughts and insights on "Artist on Couches"
Kelly Joy Ladd is a self-taught mixed media and paper artist. Kelly is also the creative force behind "Artists on Couches," a project she founded.
The inspiration for this endeavor emerged in 2022 during the lockdowns, while she was on the path to recovery from a significant head injury.
Accompanying this exploration of Kelly's art practice is an exclusive interview with her, as we shine a spotlight on five artists from artist on couches, invited by Munchies Art Club.
What is the origin story of the Artist on Couches project?
The week before the Covid lockdown in March 2020, I experienced a severe and significant head injury that basically disconnected my brain’s connection to my vestibular and ocular systems.
My vision shook violently from side-to-side. Focusing my eyes was impossible. In an instant, my entire world flipped on its head.
What was most jarring and life-altering was that I could no longer read, look at my phone or computer or even watch TV. (In fact, it took me more than two years to be able to watch TV again.)
All of this was happening while the world was going through its own collective crisis. For months, I laid on my couch with my eyes closed. It was the only place I felt safe. While on the couch, often asked myself a question, “What would make me feel fulfilled?” One of the answers that kept coming up was making authentic connections with other artists and discussing the creative process with them.
Then over the next year or so, during my meditations, I often saw visions of myself casually sitting on a couch surrounded with other artists having illuminating conversations.
5 Handpicked Artists and Their Experiences in Kelly's 'Artists on Couches Project': Magda Kirk, Future Kid, Chris Bogia, Ernst Koslitsch, and Janina Myronova
Above: Super Future Kid in her Studio and Detail of the work by Magda Kirk | Image courtesy by the artists
How long have you been running the Couch page?
Since March 2022. I also recently started an Artists on Couches page on Threads. Like the Instagram page, every day I pose an intentionally-constructed question to invoke genuine reflection of the participating artists.
Artists from around the world are giving their thoughts and opinions.
It’s very illuminating. I’m enjoying the intimate and engaging conversations we are having and community we are creating on this platform.
Kelly’s project helps demystify the art world and humanize artists, something I am always in favor of. I am also very proud of my studio couch, so I when she approached me, I was like, "absolutely, yes!” -- Chris Bogia , Contemporary Artist
What is it like to be an artist and create such a project?
I consider Artists on Couches a conversation-based art project. It can only be created with the collective energy of those who participate.
Imagine being a fly on the wall during the philosophical conversations between the members of the New Mexico Transcendental Painting Group or during the mind-bending discussions of the Surrealists in Paris.
Think what we could have learned and gained from their insights and ideas.
This is what AOC strives to uncover by listening to, capturing and sharing the special moment and wonderment created when artists define the undefinable.
AOC eliminates the actual tangible form of an art piece and breaks down the idea of art to its purest realization — an exchange of ideas.
I think this type of conversation can only be created by an artist with other artists.
Is there a goal?
The intent for AOC is to explore and unveil the mystery of the creative process and to create a platform in collaboration with individuals who think about, experience and work with this phenomenon daily.
The goal of the project is to strip down art to its simplest form and using energy and connection to create art.
Next: Exhibition view by artist Chris Bodia | Image Courtesy by the Artist
How did you start on Instagram?
After a couple of years when my eyes were able to look at a phone screen again, I started the “Artists on Couches” Instagram page to further the discussion with other artists about artistic expression.
I wanted to know how other artists described the creative process from their unique perspective? Do they experience intuition like I do? How does it differ and how is it similar? What can I learn from their experiences that will give me new insights into my own artistic practice? What insights of my own can I share that will give other artists their own “ah-ha” moments?
The first few artists I showcased on the “Artists on Couches” Instagram page were friends. I asked them to take a photo of themselves on a couch and give a thoughtful response in just one to two sentences to one question from a list of prompts I provided.
I wanted to make the process easy and quick for everyone. I didn’t know at first if anyone would even do it, or if they thought it would be a waste of time.
I wasn’t even sure if I could even manage the page because looking at my phone still really hurt my eyes. After only 15 artists joined me on the couch, artists from around the world began to say yes and send in photos more frequently and I began posting every day. I’ve been posting every day since. Through the Instagram page, I soon discovered that other artists all over the world were also craving connections with other artists and the opportunity to discuss these ideas.
I was very glad to find "Artists on the couch" profile, Kelly Joy Ladd has a great eye and I love to see the artist work which she is inviting to the project. Also what a nice idea to show artists on a couch in this homy relaxing atmosphere. It was such a pleasure to join this project - Janina Myronova polish ukrainian artist on the couches
How were you received?
What has been discussed and uncovered through these online conversations is how to artists develop their own unique process and artistic expression.
It’s through this self discovery and understanding of their individual “why” that allows artists to create their best work.
Another interesting find learned through these discussions is that many artists have similar methodologies in their art practice, but express them in their own profound ways.
Additional Infos:
All about the Artist on Couches online
Artist On Couches on Instagram
5 Artists Infos:
Munchies Art Club Magazine says thank you to Kelly Joy Ladd for the Interview, and to the artists for their contributions.
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Artist opportunities now: artist on couches by Kelly Joy Ladd
Explore with Munchies Art Club Magazine the essence of art and creativity on Instagram with artists on couches.
This unique art project simplifies the artistic process and fosters inspirational conversations between Kelly Joy Ladd and the artists she invites.
Artists on Couches is a masterclass in creativity and authentic self-expression, inviting everyone to join the discussion.
About the Founder Kelly Joy Ladd, her art practice thoughts and insights on "Artist on Couches"
Kelly Joy Ladd is a self-taught mixed media and paper artist. Kelly is also the creative force behind "Artists on Couches," a project she founded.
The inspiration for this endeavor emerged in 2022 during the lockdowns, while she was on the path to recovery from a significant head injury.
Accompanying this exploration of Kelly's art practice is an exclusive interview with her, as we shine a spotlight on five artists from artist on couches, invited by Munchies Art Club.
What is the origin story of the Artist on Couches project?
The week before the Covid lockdown in March 2020, I experienced a severe and significant head injury that basically disconnected my brain’s connection to my vestibular and ocular systems.
My vision shook violently from side-to-side. Focusing my eyes was impossible. In an instant, my entire world flipped on its head.
What was most jarring and life-altering was that I could no longer read, look at my phone or computer or even watch TV. (In fact, it took me more than two years to be able to watch TV again.)
All of this was happening while the world was going through its own collective crisis. For months, I laid on my couch with my eyes closed. It was the only place I felt safe. While on the couch, often asked myself a question, “What would make me feel fulfilled?” One of the answers that kept coming up was making authentic connections with other artists and discussing the creative process with them.
Then over the next year or so, during my meditations, I often saw visions of myself casually sitting on a couch surrounded with other artists having illuminating conversations.
