Step into the riveting realm of Keely Poi Majewski, a Florida-native artist who’s turned the online sphere into her playground, captivating audiences far and wide with her mesmerizing 3D creations.
Intriguing and influential, Keely’s mastery of 3D modelling has ignited a digital firestorm, with recent collaborations alongside luminaries like Ice Spice, Rosalia, Tkay Maidza, and Melanie Martinez, propelling her artistry into the limelight, where countless eyes have fixated in awe.
Venture into the enigmatic universe conjured by Poi & Keely – the alias of Keely Poi Majewski – as she casts an irresistible spell through her vivid 3D masterpieces. A self-taught visionary hailing from the Floridian landscape, she weaves an evocative dreamscape that has caught the eyes of thousands.
Fuelled by a childhood love affair with video games, Keely’s oeuvre pulsates with inspiration drawn from pixelated realms. As the pandemic’s grip tightened, she seized the opportunity to elevate her 3D craft to stratospheric heights, embarking on a digital odyssey of self-discovery via YouTube tutorials and harnessing the raw potential of free design tools like SketchUp and Illustrator.
But Keely’s journey is far from a conventional tale of artistic evolution. It’s a saga of forging her own path, a trailblazer crafting her destiny on the canvas of cyberspace. Keely now stands poised, her creative pulse beating stronger than ever. With each digital stroke of innovation, she aspires to conquer new horizons – to sculpt larger-than-life wonders.
In an exclusive interview with Broke Magazine, Keely tells us about her artistic flare and methods, her A-list collaborations and delves deep into her inspirations.
Your distinctive 3D-modeled figures have captured the attention of many, including renowned artists like Ice Spice and Rosalia. Could you tell us about the inspiration behind your unique artistic style and how you developed it?
My work is the culmination of many years of experimenting with my style, trying different mediums and using characters to act as a vessel for my emotions. Art has always been there for me and being able to express myself through what I make has undoubtedly been a driving factor in my work since the very beginning.
When I was a kid I started with paper and pencil/charcoal, constantly drawing portraits with the help from my father who’s also a self-taught portrait artist. That gave me a foundation to find mediums that worked for me as time went on, going from expressive charcoal illustrations, and watercolour paintings in high school, to digital illustration in college and finally teaching myself 3D art at the start of 2020. Now currently using those experiences with different mediums to create a hybrid process of 3D and illustration, I wouldn’t change anything about the years leading up to my work now. Everything has contributed to my artistic style and I rely on that experience heavily even now.
Your journey as an artist is truly fascinating, from being a self-taught Florida native to mastering digital illustration during the pandemic. How did your passion for video games contribute to shaping your artistic vision, and what challenges did you overcome on your path to mastering these new digital tools?
Playing video games my whole life was the first glimpse of digital/3d creative art and really opened my mind to possibilities for creative careers at a young age when no one really talked about those options openly. Looking back to when I was around 14 I fully wanted to be a videogame concept artist focusing on character design. I remember my mom surprising me with a visit to a local game studio here in Florida for a birthday around that time. Being able to get critiques on my sketchbook full of Silent Hill-esque character concepts and have conversations with people who actually worked in the field was a very surreal and amazing moment I’m thankful to have. While it’s not something I ended up pursuing in adulthood, my love for it never faded. I truly believe seeing such a clear example of 3D and digital art in video games pushed me to figure out the medium, to see what worked for me and my style.
The dream-like quality of your artwork creates a mesmerizing experience for viewers. Could you share with us the emotions or stories you aim to convey through your creations?
My art is a huge outlet for my mental health and struggles with depression. The biggest example of that in my work would have to be the attitude of my characters. Showcasing confidence and a don’t-give-a-fuck attitude within my characters really pushes me to bring that outlook into my real day-to-day life.
Many artists find that their work evolves over time. Looking at your progression from learning digital illustration on YouTube to envisioning larger form sculptures and gallery exhibitions, how do you feel your art has transformed and what significant moments have driven these changes?
I’m constantly pushing myself to explore and evolve my art. Starting from traditional mediums to 3d/digital illustration, every step of the way I feel like my art has held onto small characteristics that define my style, while also not being afraid to change and experience new ways of expression. I feel like throughout my life, my art and myself have transformed and each phase I’ve gone through I can proudly say I look back on fondly. I’m thankful for what I’ve gone through and I’m thankful I’m still here to be able to appreciate those changes.
Many young creatives look up to you as a source of inspiration, given your rapid rise in the art world. As you continue to push your boundaries and experiment with new mediums, what advice would you give to aspiring artists who are striving to find their own distinctive voice and make an impact in the modern art scene?
Consistency! As cliche, as it is, consistency with your craft takes you so far. It helps you figure out what works for you so you can start focusing on that area and developing your own expression. Don’t be scared to mess up either, every single little sketch pays off and can contribute to larger ideas later on. I can’t say enough that it’s not about the end goal, it’s about the art you’re making right now. Keep yourself focused and get the work done.