The Case for "Bad" Art
Last month, I encouraged you to go make bad art. Why? Because we are strangled by perfectionism and drowning in AI slop, and imperfect, messy art is the life preserver. What would happen if we separate the act of making from the need to produce, to finish? I bet we rediscover the childhood joy of simply doing. Making bad art, ugly art, weird art, is deeply satisfying, an immediate connection to that little kid you once were. Wonky art is an honest reflection of your mind and hand in a particular moment. That wibbly wobbly distinctiveness is a magical snapshot of how you see and experience the world. A precious bit of honest connection with other humans. So, doodle freely, chalk your sidewalk, and smush some paint around. Love every crooked flower and top-heavy stick figure. I honestly can’t wait to see them!
Meet Kirsten Ivey, local artist behindYellow Moon Art
Kirsten Ivey is a prolific painter whose gentle self-assurance and vibrant palette shine through the moment you see her work. I met Kirsten last year while navigating the local pop-up scene; she immediately shared advice and vendor calls without hesitation. Now friends, I’m thrilled to feature her as the first in this series. A San Diego native and five-year University
Heights resident, Kirsten lives with her husband and their dogs, Echo and Sunny. Her path to art was winding: after seven years as a high school math teacher, she returned to San Diego facing burnout. Attending local Sketch Party events “turned on a creative faucet,” leading her from teaching to a tattoo apprenticeship. While she loved the creativity of tattooing, the physical toll and demand for perfection led her to find a different balance.
Today, Kirsten works as a software developer and web designer. This career provides the boundaries she needs for her art to remain authentic and inspiration-driven. The result is a stunning portfolio of vivid landscapes and bold, food-themed still lifes—think sharp limes and sizzling fried eggs—that pull the eye with expressive energy.
Currently, Kirsten is building a personal reference library and eyeing a future in fine art galleries; she is the current Featured Artist at New Village Arts Theater in Carlsbad. For Kirsten, the practice is therapeutic. “On days when I paint, I can feel my nervous system calm down,” she shares. “It feels like connecting with myself after a long time.”
Connect with Kirsten:
Web: yellowmoonart.com
Instagram: @yellow.moon.art