Start here: free Procreate collage resources →

About Me

From retail floors to creative freedom. Still holding puppies.

Hey there! I’m Kelley. I used to manage a Barnes & Noble bookstore, scraping snow off my windshield before sunrise and juggling six-day holiday weeks. After 20 years in retail, I was burnt out and craving something more creative (and a lot more me).

Two things changed everything:

  • I opened my Etsy shop, Gems by Kelley, back in 2013. More than a decade later, it’s still going strong.
  • In 2017, I discovered the Procreate app — and it opened up a whole new world. I went from curious beginner to sharing digital collage and creative play with 8,000+ Skillshare students, plus thousands more creatives through online summits and classes worldwide.

Now, I spend my days designing collage kits, making surreal digital art, and teaching short, beginner-friendly classes. My “assistant” is Maisie, a very fluffy Shichon puppy who’s great at reminding me to play (but terrible at meeting deadlines).

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to make space for creativity, or even build a life around it – I’m here to tell you it is. And I’d love to help you get started

If you want to dive in, you can take a class or grab some digital art freebies to get started.

Big dreams often start small. Sometimes with a single free download. Or a flower-headed goat in a digital collage.

So, ready to play? Let’s create something unforgettable.

What started as “I can’t draw” turned out to be my creative superpower. Over the years, I’ve taught thousands of students how to use Procreate to explore their creativity, spark ideas, and let go of perfection.

If you’ve ever thought “I’m not an artist”, you’re in the right place.

Kelley Trivia

  • I believe everyone is creative (even if they don’t believe it yet).
  • Big fan of equality and human rights.
  • My first concert? Prince, Purple Rain tour. Yes, I’m that cool. And yes, I’m that old.
  • I’m a total homebody.
  • My favorite art book is “Steal Like an Artist.”
  • I love shopping at consignment stores.
  • I don’t drink much, but I’m super happy cannabis is legal in Minnesota.
  • I love reality TV, Dateline and documentaries.
  • My stash of vintage photos is bigger than yours.
  • I really want to pet your dog.
  • I made this whole website by myself.

What my students are saying:

A few kind words from creatives I’ve taught:

  • “Kelley is one of my favorite teachers on Skillshare. She provides useful resources and inspiration, and I always come away having learned something new.”


    – Rebecca L.
  • “I adore Kelley’s teaching style. She’s approachable, funny, and knowledgeable. Her classes feel like a conversation with a talented friend who really knows her stuff.”

    – Jessica T.
  • “Kelley has a way of making even the most technical parts of Procreate easy to understand. Her enthusiasm is contagious, and I always leave her classes full of ideas.”

    – Denise M.
  • “The project gallery of this class shows wonderful results thanks to Kelley‘s detailed teaching. If you aren‘t familiar with Procreate, you will be by the end of the course.”


    – Luitgard F.
  • “This class was packed with useful tips and beautiful inspiration. Kelley is a natural teacher—her delivery is calm and clear, and she makes digital art feel accessible.”

    – Sam R.
  • “I so appreciate Kelley’s straightforward teaching style and clear, concise lessons. She gives the right amount of instruction while leaving space for creativity. Her classes always leave me inspired.”

    – Ashley S.

Want to see why my students love learning here?

20+ short, beginner-friendly tutorials to spark your creativity.

 Start learning with me on Skillshare