Meet the Artist - Kelly-Jo Hanks
Who are you, and how long have you been creating?
Hi, I’m Kelly. A Bolton-born girl, never far from a cup of tea or reading fashion news. I enjoy walks in nature and spending quality time with family & friends. When I’m not doing any of these things, I create.
From a young age I loved creating art - it was my thing! From drawing to crafting and ballet dancing, I was never far from something creative. That passion led me to study embroidery at university, graduating in 2006. Whilst studying, I worked part-time at Next, which began a 21 year career working creatively in the display department.
What made you revisit your childhood passion?
I loved my seven weeks of furlough during the pandemic. It shocked me. The long stint in corporate work had taken its toll—I’d simply had enough. I hadn’t realised it until I had that moment of freedom. A new path stirred within me and I naturally found myself creating at home. I'd forgotten what made me, me. My heart knew forever I could make art but my head took a lifetime to realise. For the following 5 years, I created whenever I could while still being supported by my day job.
Why did you decide to change careers?
In January 2025 I made a bold decision to reduce my hours and stepped back from my management role, allowing me more focus on creative work. By July a twist of fate led to possible voluntary redundancy. To me the stars had aligned and I couldn’t ignore the signs. So in September 2025 I left Next to become a full-time artist.
When did you hear about FaMAS?
I stumbled across FaMAS on an Instagram post and applied to be a guest artist for their October 2025 Open Studios event. I didn’t realise they had studios until I dropped my artwork off. My dining room was my first studio but space soon ran out. I quickly jumped at the opportunity to rent a room, moving into Studio Hill Top in November 2025. It’s a home from home for me. An invaluable space, surrounded by likeminded people and an area where my artwork practice can grow.
What inspires you to create? Which artists do you admire?
Everyday people. I want to colour your world, one individual at a time. By evoking magical realism my work gives you invaluable escapism from the everyday. Challenging the norm and daring you to dream.
Artists I admire...Marc Chagall, Amanda Cass and Sam Toft to name a few. I love storytelling and am often drawn to imagery that mixes ordinary everyday events with fantasy and dreamlike qualities. It's simply magic to me.
Do you prefer to work in one medium, or do you create with several things?
I want to capture life's journey in every piece of art I create. I do that across all mediums, from painting to mixed media, textile, embroidery and doll making. To inspire you to chase the things that make you genuinely happy, no matter how weird and wonderful those things may be. I feel my medium is ever-changing to reflect this. However, one thing remains: you are always the centre of each piece.
Lastly, who do you aim to inspire?
Everyone. Life is magical. Don’t waste it being anyone other than your true authentic self. Dare to dream!
Kelly-Jo is currently managing and creating fabulous content for our FaMAS Instagram account, be sure to give us a follow! @famasgalleryandstudios