Meet Chelsea Fierst | Artist, Interior Stylist & Designer

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

Hi Chelsea, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
When looking to grow in my career as an artist and interior stylist I never found an obvious next move so it felt necessary to create my own. My art practice felt separate from my design practice so I created Fierst Studio as a way to combine the two. Through Fierst Studio I am able to explore visual concepts and identities through art and interiors while working with interior designers, brand merchandisers, and private clients on painted commissions, interior identity development, and interior installations.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My artwork draws from natural environments, using spontaneous and wild strokes, layered pigments, and repurposed materials to evoke a sense of controlled chaos. I approach a canvas as an unanswered question, exploring the unfamiliar in search of a way to feel grounded within the uncertainty.

Through design, I’ve recognized how we inhabit spaces–domestic, professional and commercial– has changed and are even interwoven. The outside world is unpredictable, and physical spaces are often a grounding and emotional reprieve from it all. I see this as an opportunity to reinvent spaces that closer represent visions of comfort and peace through the variability.

My design practice, Fierst Studio, has expanded into a 1000 sq ft studio space in East Williamsburg, Brooklyn that has allowed me to expand my creative practice to include the study of art, objects and furniture within a larger context. In opening the space, I’ve launched figure drawing workshops and am thrilled at the community we’ve been able to build through a shared practice.

Getting where I am today has been a lot of hard work, juggling, and mind tricks, but I owe every ounce of success to an incredible network of creatives that have guided, supported and referred me over the years. Imposter’s syndrome is no joke but i’ve found that pushing through the noise and committing to the practice is worthwhile.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
There are endless options in Brooklyn..where to start!? Some highlights.. Mornings:
-Walk to Domino Park to check out epic views of the city while strolling along the waterfront.
-Venture to 28th street to walk the flower market
-Pick up a coffee and chocolate croissant from Nick + Son’s Bakery

Mid-Day:
-Take the L into the city to the high line and hop around the Chelsea Galleries
-Shop for home goods in Williamsburg at Dyphor, Simple Goods, Leif, The Shop Collective, Stella Dallas Living.
-Lunch at Five Leaves to people watch

Afternoon/Evening
-Grimm Ales for a craft brew
-Bernie’s Restaurant
-Check out a show at BAM

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Avril & Quy of Form Atelier have been incredible friends and mentors to me over the almost 5 years I’ve been in business. Besides their encyclopedic knowledge of art and design, they’ve been huge risk takers and have motivated the same in me. Form Atelier recently took on an incredible storefront in Tribeca, NY where they’ve curated a museum worthy collection of art, objects and furniture to inspire.

Website: https://www.fierststudio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fierststudio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelseafierst/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FierstStudio

Image Credits
Photographer: Cecilia Delgado