Meet Keelyn Cazzolla | Art Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Keelyn Cazzolla and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Keelyn, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
The main goal of my art is to help others heal and know they aren’t alone in what they feel. I love creating art that truly makes people feel something, anything. I have a degree is psychology that I use within my art, like art thereapy. People trust me to turn their darkest moments into something beautiful they can cherish and use as a reminder for how strong they are and what they have overcome, that it doesn’t have to maintain power over them. My biggest inspiration for my art in general is darkness and fear, but using that as a tool to make it something beautiful. While I don’t solely do darker artwork, I love maintaining a balance between light and dark concepts, I believe its my darker artwork that has the ability to heal and unite people in a safe environment, without judgement.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Being an artist is not easy, especially when you are someone who confronts such taboo topics such as mental health and trauma. There’s a very delicate line to maintain the artful raw expression and not to come across as “glamorizing” or “promoting” the stories you are telling. There is a lot of judgement for the type of art I do, many people don’t understand why I do what I do. It’s true, art is subjective and my art may not be for everyone, that is completely okay! My biggest wish is for more people to have an open mind, to confront what is making them uncomfortable, maybe even ask themselves why it makes them uncomfortable because they might find something truly beautiful in confronting it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Some of my favorite and must see places including The Boyce Thompson Arboretum in Superior (seriously my happy place) and new favorite Woods Canyon Lake in Payson. Seriously the most beautiful, serene places I have found in AZ so far! One of the most amazing experiences I’ve done was horseback riding at Saguaro Lake Ranch, I would definitely be going there cause I tell everyone about it! Going to Downtown Gilbert is another thing I would suggest for eating and drinking, I love the vibes there. I recently checked out The White Rabbit speakeasy there and it was amazing!! Oh! And getting to experience seeing wild horses along the Salt River! There have been a few times when I went there for shoots and there would be 10-20 wild horses just hanging out and walking around us, it was incredible.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mom. She has been my biggest supporter for everything in my life. I wouldn’t be where I am without her, I wouldn’t be who I am without her. Also want to give a shoutout to my amazing creative partner, Carolyn Page. She has helped me push my creative boundaries and is always willing to try whatever craziness is on my mind. We recently went into business together with her as my creative director. I wouldn’t be the artist I am without her amazing friendship.

Website: https://photosbykeelynmarie.mypixieset.com/

Instagram: @photosbykeelynmarie

Image Credits
Carolyn Page, Michael Policci, Alyssa Hinkle, Em Lorene, KT