Conversations with Andrea Pelfrey

Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Pelfrey.

Hi Andrea, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Thank you for having me. Our story starts with sadness. We lost our oldest daughter, Scarlett, in 2017. She was born with an incredibly rare brain disorder called Semi-Lobar Holoprosencephaly (HPE). We found out she was terminal at 27 weeks, and as you can imagine, were beyond devastated. We had 4 1/2 beautiful months with her before she passed. We are fortunate enough to live near Nationwide Children’s hospital and because she was terminal, she was assigned a social worker who followed our family for 2 years after her death.

I have been an artist my whole life and she introduced me to acrylic pouring through a video she had seen on social media. It instantly resonated with me. Using this painting style, I was able to move through waves of grief and accept beauty in chaos, and relinquish some control. After having a massive amount of paintings hanging out in our garage, I decided to start selling them and 5 years later, we are a full-fledged art studio.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It has been very difficult. I struggle with imposter syndrome and sometimes feel that my art isn’t as beautiful as I am told. As most artists experience, I see every flaw in the things that I make and those become the focus, rather than the art itself. This business comes from such a dark and vulnerable place and exposes my pain to the world. It is open to criticism from everyone.

Of course, because the whole business started from the death of my child, I am reminded of her every single day. Somedays, it is a reminder that I would like to not think about because she is greatly missed. Other days, it makes me think of her and smile at her strength and beauty. I started out having no idea what I was doing.

My husband and I do a lot of research and we try many different styles and pricing to see what will sell in our area. It can be defeating, especially when you love something that you’ve made, and no one buys it. This business takes up a lot of my time away from my family, as many other jobs would. Owning your own business consumes a lot because it doesn’t shut off and becomes a part of your family’s dynamic.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I specialize in resin sculptural pieces and hand-made jewelry. I also make cremation resin pieces using people’s loved one’s ashes. I am very proud of that art because it’s the full circle. This journey started with death and now death is a part of my everyday creative process.

I think what sets me apart is my use of colors and unique styles. I do hours and hours of research and development. I consume massive amounts of information to perfect techniques. I’m usually categorized as the “weird” art at shows because I’m not a “Live, Laugh, Love” sort of crowd. I like macabre, skulls, dragons, and all things dark. I welcome the title.

Do you have any advice for those just starting?
Trust your worth. It has taken years for me to be proud of any work I’ve created, even after being featured in the newspaper and a gallery. Don’t shoehorn yourself into one market, experiment and try new things. Being flexible is a skill. Make what YOU like. At the end of the day, if you’re happy with your work, someone else will be too.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thegildedrosestudio.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thegildedrosestudio
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thegildedrosestudio