Meet the Artist: Kelly Williams-Cramer

Kelly Williams-Cramer is a graphic specialist here at Orange County Library System and has created many wonderful pieces of art in her nearly 10 years at the library. For instance, she designed the limited-edition, orange grove-inspired library card released this September for Library Card Sign-up Month. Kelly also recently collaborated with City District and the Orange County Regional History Center on their Art Box Program, painting a traffic box near the intersection of South Street and Orange Avenue with an homage to Barney the Buffalo. To celebrate Kelly, we asked her a few questions about her artwork, the library, and her plans for the future.

Tell us about your artistic journey and how it brought you to the library.

My earliest memories are drawing whales and dolphins in class. Growing up in South Florida, marine life was very much my topic of choice. When people asked me as a kid: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” my answer was always “an artist.” And I’ve been committed to that path ever since.

Some of my first jobs as a teenager and during my college years were about incorporating art into my daily tasks. I’d gladly offer to draw on the sidewalk chalkboard or paint the cash register counter. I would always look forward to those small opportunities.

After college, I decided to pack up my things and move to Orlando. Like many graduates, I was eager to find a job and make a living. Within a few months, I came across an internship listing at OCLS. Libraries were such an important part of my upbringing, so I immediately applied. Art and libraries? It was a perfect match! I was hired as a graphic design intern and eventually worked my way into a full-time position here. Now it’s been almost 10 years!

What do you like about working for Orange County Public Library?

I’m very fortunate to be able to create some unique, fun, and amazing designs. My daily projects are very diverse; One day I might illustrate a beer can label, and the next, design a library card. It’s wonderful. Being able to work on different types of projects keeps my creative levels high.

Working here also gives me a sense of pride in contributing to my community. Although I don’t interact directly with customers, I like to think my work helps people connect with the library in some small way and highlights the importance of libraries.

Describe your creative process. Is there an artistic medium that you prefer?

I’m not a morning person, so nothing creative happens before coffee. Once I’ve had a few sips, I catch up on amazing artists I follow on Instagram. I try very hard to limit my time on social media to avoid falling into a doom scroll, but it’s a great way to discover new artists. When I’m ready to work, I put on my headphones, usually with a movie (usually an old Disney movie or Studio Ghibli) or listen to music (the Dark Academia Classical playlist on Spotify is great for keeping me focused).

I initially loved painting with watercolors – the slow process of layering colors and easy cleanup suited me well for many years. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with oils, which have become my new favorite medium. And I love how I can walk away from a painting without having to worry about it instantly drying. It’s been great so far, and I still have much to learn, but I’m having a wonderful time. I still enjoy painting with watercolors occasionally and like to switch mediums to keep my creativity fresh.

What inspires you to create and how does it inform your art?

For me, I find a lot of inspiration in quiet moments. My mind is often chaotic, so I try to find time to gather my thoughts. I keep a small notebook handy to jot down any ideas that spark my interest. Many people think all artists are constantly full of ideas and inspiration. But that really isn’t the case ‑ not for me, at least. I need to be in the right headspace to find inspiration. I might take a long drive to clear my head, sit on my couch with a blanket and watch the rain, or visit an antique store and fall in love with an old poster

What do you feel is the most important aspect of your work?

Details. I find so much gratification from working on little things people might miss. No detail is too small for me. And I’ve always been that way. I just really love putting in the work for intricate details. For the limited-edition library cards, I drew every orange, flower, and leaf. I could’ve used shortcuts like copying and pasting, but that wouldn’t have looked or felt as organic. Staying true to my standards, I’m proud of the finished piece.

Where do you see your art in the future? Can you tell us about any new pieces you have planned?

I’m dying to branch out into the sticker world. It’s such a niche, and I’m here for it. I have a running list of all the themes I want to create. There are so many ideas I’ve come up with, and it’s hard to not tackle them all at once. Some designs I’m really looking forward to creating are seasonal stickers for Halloween or Christmas. I’ve started on my vintage mermaids for summer and hope to finish that collection soon!

I also plan to paint landscapes from my recent vacations to Tuscany, Florence, and Sicily. I took some photos that would make beautiful paintings. I have one in particular that stands out: a majestic, white horse in a Tuscan field at dusk. The timing of the photo was perfect, and I knew immediately it would be a future painting. I can’t wait to tackle those details.