Mixed media and digital artist Destiny Kelly:
To start, please introduce yourself:
My name is Destiny Kelly and I am a visual artist specializing in traditional mixed media and digital art. I work in the horror genre creating art for exhibits and doing commissions for a variety of clients including content creators, filmmakers, and production companies.
What is horror to you, what makes a work of art one in the horror genre?
Horror to me is a safe space to navigate and understand the things that scare us in the real world. What classifies a work of art as horror is the work’s ability to connect audiences through any and all fears that we may share.
What made you want to work in horror?
I’ve always been a huge horror fan for as long as I can remember. Ever since I watched A Nightmare on Elm Street at an age way too young, I always had an adoration for the level of creativity involved in making horror. I’ve never had as much fun with any other genre.
Where do you get your inspiration?
I am most inspired by the horror movies and television series that I can personally connect with the most. Representation matters, and anytime I see myself or can relate to a fictional character in horror, I want to pay tribute to them through my art. Stylistically, I’ve always been inspired by the more vibrant color palettes of 80’s horror and often incorporate a lot of those colors into my pieces.
What would you like your legacy to be in the genre (or elsewhere)?
I just want to be someone who can inspire younger generations to pursue their dreams of working in the horror genre. If people from marginalized communities can see my work and think: “Wow, if she can do it, then I can do it too”, then that’s when I will feel like I’ve succeeded as an artist. I strive to build strong connections with people through the art of horror and do my part in uplifting fellow creatives.
What is Women in Horror Month to you and why is it still important this many years later?
Women in Horror Month is a time to celebrate the women who continue to make the genre thrive. We’ve been here since the beginning of horror and we continue to bring fresh perspectives to the genre that allow this space to continue to grow more and more as time goes on. Being silenced is one of the worst things that can happen to anyone trying to make it in this industry. Spotlighting women in horror allows for our voices to be heard and opens up more doors of opportunity for us year round.
Who are some of the Women in Horror who you look up to and who do you want to bring attention to in your field or others?
There are so many women in horror that I look up to, way too many to list in this interview, but I’d like to bring attention to three Black women who were the very first I met in the horror community and made me realize I wasn’t alone.
The first is Nicole Renee, aka It’sFearHerself. She’s a talented writer and filmmaker who was the first person I ever collaborated with creatively in the genre. I am so grateful for her taking a chance on me and giving me opportunities to create horror art with her. She’s someone who I hope to keep collaborating with throughout my career.
The second is Zena Dixon, aka the Real Queen of Horror. Zena’s resume is stacked and she does a little bit of everything in the horror genre, but a lot of people may know her best from her incredible YouTube channel. She’s one of the most hardworking women I know in horror and I am forever inspired by her work ethic and talent.
The third is Ashlee Blackwell of Graveyard Shift Sisters. She is a writer and horror scholar who has done absolutely amazing work highlighting Black women working in the genre throughout history. She put so many eyes on my work back when I was just starting out, and her support still means the world to me to this day.
What are you currently working on that you can tell us about?
I am currently working on a piece for an upcoming exhibit at SugarMynt Gallery in South Pasadena, CA. I’ve been making artwork for them for almost five years now and I’m always honored to contribute to their various horror themed exhibits. Also, a lot of people have been asking me about prints, so now is a good time to announce that I am working on updating my Etsy shop with new art prints, so stay tuned for that!
Where can readers keep up with you?
You can find me most actively on Instagram and Twitter (@artsy_ghoul), BlueSky (@artsyghoul.bsky.social), and TikTok (@destheghoul). I also have a website (destinykelly.com) where you can check out my work in horror!