kitschy delish

Semi-local: the art of Kitschy delishtm

Artist Kelly Jackson

by ron evans

Kitschy Delish™ is a paper and gifts company founded in 2017 by Seattle illustrator Kelly Jackson. What initially started out as a small art show at Trophy Cupcakes has blossomed into a burgeoning gifts and paper goods company, supplying her tasty and salacious creations to licensing deals, boutiques around the country and customers around the world. With a love of play on words, pin-up, candy and cake, Jackson creates a world fi lled with sweetness and whimsy.

The Comet reached out to this semi-local artist to see where her love of retro and vintage design began.

So...where did this love of retro and vintage design begin?

My work has naturally had a vintage look even before I developed my signature style. In the 90’s when illustration trends were ‘grungy’ and ink splattery, I wanted to be that too. But I had many art directors tell me my work looked like it was from the 50’s. I wasn’t sure why because I was never really into vintage things growing up in the 80’s. to the Seattle burlesque community by the beautiful Shanghai Pearl who brought me into the sparkly world of tongue and cheek. Something clicked for me and I wanted to be completely immersed in a world of my choosing that involved sparkle and confection. Where the best things in life, sex and indulgence, was celebrated and also laughed at. It just fi t. I booked an art show and then more and more followed. At the same time, I discovered my love of retro kitsch in vintage shops. My personal style and home decor also follows that aesthetic and I have not tired of it.

Home Run Tin Cans

it into color by drawing over my sketches in Adobe Illustrator. I used to paint with acrylics, but found I kept stifl ing myself because I didn’t like my technique. So I taught myself Illustrator and haven’t looked back. At some point I may paint again. During the color process, an idea might “This past year has been brutal for get changed from the me in trying to keep my head up sketch I made. It all depends on what I disand draw happy dancing food.” cover along the way. I keep all my sketchbooks because sometimes I’ll get around to fi nishing a piece after I’ve let it sit for fi ve years. Are there specifi c artists or designers you have been infl uenced by or is it more of an Tell us about your technique from start to overall ‘era’ style you are drawn to? fi nish. Does it vary from piece to piece or is that depending on the ultimate medium of It really is the era and feeling I am inspired the end product? by. Of course, I love anthropomorphic advertising from the 50’s and 60’s. But I also like It all starts with an idea for something cheeky. to bring modern things into my work too just A play on words. I think of them all the time. for fun. You know, like foods taking selfi es of I have lists and lists of ideas. But one idea themselves I think is pretty funny. will usually nag and pull at me until I sketch it out on paper. I sketch on toned paper with Your style seems a perfect fi t for greeting graphite pencil and white pencil. Then, I bring cards and stationary. Is that avenue something you focus on with your designs?

Back in 2010 when I was new to doing art shows, I had customers request my work on greeting cards, so I did a few of my pieces as greeting cards. I rarely create a piece just for a greeting card. It’s usually when someone sees a piece of mine and asks if I’d do it as a greeting card. In 2014, I exhibited at SURTEX in NYC - (a surface design licensing show). I got my fi rst greeting card licensing deal. Now, I print my own cards and supply them to stores around the country. Trader Joe’s has licensed a few of my designs as well.

What is your workfl ow like? Do you go through creative spurts? Or are you pretty much working on something every day?

I try to work on something every day. But sometimes inspiration can be fl eeting. This past year has been brutal for me in trying to keep my head up and draw happy dancing food. During those dry spells, I focus on fi lling orders and packaging my inventory. But there’s always something to do with my business and prepping for orders, etc. I will say, I am constantly inspired to keep drawing and creating because customers and IG followers