Written by aria eyde. Graphic by aria eyde.
This Tuesday, I interviewed Kay Wolfersperger, an artist and SCAD alum who now lives in Florida. Her work blends graphic design with illustration to create endearing artwork used in a variety of media, logos, and products. She received her B.F.A. from SCAD in Graphic Design and Fibers, and has been working in the art world ever since.
In our talk, I loved learning about the joyful passion for art that Kay has carried throughout her life. Her artwork is a reflection of the warmth and vibrancy she brings to a conversation. She also offered a valuable perspective on working in the arts, life after graduation, and how to stay motivated in a creative career.
Where did you spend the majority of your childhood and what was it like there?
I spent the majority of my childhood in Pensacola, Florida—which, amusingly, I’ve circled back to as of late. I just moved back here to be with my dad. He’s older, and his wife passed away last year, so we’re reconnecting and spending time together now. I’m back in my childhood home, which is a whole adventure.
My childhood was pretty traditional. I went to a private Episcopalian school, so it had a religious slant. I’m non-religious now, but at the time I appreciated the principles it taught me of kindness and thinking of others.
I remember riding bikes around my neighborhood. I could run around with my best friend, and we would go play at each other’s houses outside. The weather was great. It was idyllic in one way. In another way, my childhood was very challenging.
My mother passed away when I was 11, and that was really hard and scary at the time. But it also instilled in me, from a young age, the value of finding happiness and pursuing what you love. It was such a lesson that life is fleeting and short.
Do you think any parts of your upbringing affected your love for art, or how you found it?
Absolutely, yeah. With art, I’m very disciplined and dedicated. I think understanding that life could be so fleeting from a young age really pushed me to pursue a satisfying career. But working in the arts can be tumultuous, so learning the business aspect has been a challenge over the years. In school, you’re taught the discipline and creative design principles, but no one tells you, like, how to pay your taxes quarterly. There were a lot of lessons that I had to learn.
Unless you really love art, it can be discouraging. If you’re not booking clients, or having an income—if you don’t love it, I think people can quit this career very quickly. But it’s very satisfying and rewarding if you can push through those hard times.
How did you find out art was something that you like to do?
I always knew. It was this innate quality that was just a part of me.
I was always drawing. I went to the same school from kindergarten to eighth grade, and they had a lovely art program. My dad remarried my stepmom, who was an art teacher. It felt very natural that I was encouraged in the arts.
I don’t think there was a defining time where I was like, “you know what? I like art.” It was just always a part of me, one way or another.
Why do you like drawing? What makes you love it?
I think it is so amazing that you can sit in front of a piece of paper with a pencil, and make value with your mind.When I’m sitting down, staring at a blank piece of paper, it can be intimidating. But I am also just excited about the potential.
Over time, it became so ingrained in how I operate, that I don’t think about it as much now. I just look at a blank page and have fun; I think about what can happen.
Is this where you pictured you’d be when you were younger?
Not to sound too goal oriented, but yes, absolutely. Around 10 years ago, I was taking an art class, and the teacher asked us to manifest our future. I drew this picture of me where I was on the phone, getting some kind of order for my product. I had all of these calendar dates around me for deadlines, and clients wanted me for my art style. And here I am now. I’m doing it, and it’s amazing.
I always knew that I wanted to pursue it. However, I feel very confident that I stay malleable and educated, and that I consider the current events in the world. AI is scary of course, and we’re all confronting what it’s going to mean for our careers, but I try not to let it take up too much of my brain power.
The rest of my time I spend drawing and connecting with artists. I think: what if I died tomorrow? That’s a kind of morbid but motivating panic I’ve always had. It drives me to think about the day I’m in. What if I died tomorrow? I’d wish I had been drawing or painting and laughing the day before.
What’s your life like outside of illustration and graphic design?
I’m married to a super cool guy named Ben, and we’re best friends. We both like taking care of ourselves. We strength train at the gym, and we’re avid runners. I think exercise is a big component of my life. If I take care of the physical parts of myself, it puts me in the position to be an excellent artist and pursue this for a long time.
Outside of that, we love watching movies, we love to travel, we love visiting new coffee shops and trying new foods.
What are you working on now?
For graphic design, I’m working with a gallery in Savannah that will open next year. It’s with a nonprofit called Civis that restored the Kiah house. They also restored a building that will be called Public Gallery, and they’re going to be offering art classes. I’m working with them on branding and their website.
I also maintain a little roster of clients that I do work for. There’s Wake Up Coffee Company, and they’ve been a client for a long time. I’m always doing merchandise and packaging for them; it’s super fun.
For illustration, I just signed with Tantau Studios, and it feels like a really good fit. I’ll be making work for surface design, repeat patterns, images for puzzles, and images for products.
Out of everything that you’ve done, what are you the most proud of?
Probably the Lacoste Alumni Experience that I did with SCAD. It was one of the first times that I made ample space to do self-directed work.
With graphic design, the client always comes first. You have to make sure the client’s needs are met. It’s similar with illustration. In Lacoste, I felt like I was able to think: What do I want to do? What do I want to make? What do I want it to look like?
The name of the collection I made was “Let’s Get Frenchy,” and it was a combination of my experiences there, my surroundings, and my experience growing up in the south. I realized I can have my perspective and make a living. It made me realize what I could make if there was no commercial pressure to it.
Check out Kay’s website to learn more about her journey and artwork!
