Fodder School Muse-of-the-Month: Kellie Patton
This month’s Fodder School Muse of the Month is Kellie Patton, a mixed media artist and lifelong creative based in Northwest Ohio. Known on Instagram as @rossifan46makesstuff, Kellie creates art through collage, mixed media, handmade projects, and daily creative exploration.
With a background in ceramics and a passion for making things by hand, Kellie rediscovered her creativity after a long artistic dry spell and has now spent five years growing her art practice through Fodder School. Her story is a reminder of how creativity, play, and artistic community can become an essential part of everyday life.
What part of the world do you currently live in?
I live in Northwest Ohio in the United States — the flattest place on earth!
Even though the landscape may be flat, my creative world definitely is not.
When did your art or crafting journey begin?
I’ve always been creatively inclined. I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with a major in ceramics, but after graduating in 1997, I went through a long creative dry spell.
Eventually, I came across the book 365: Create Something Every Day and Change Your Life by Noah Scalin. Honestly, I didn’t even need to open the book before it sparked something in me. I simply started making things again.
I began creating postcards, collages, mixed media jewelry, and small art projects every day. Through that process, I realized just how important creativity was to my overall well-being and happiness.
I always joke that the book works even if it’s just sitting beside you on the couch.
How long have you been in Fodder School and what keeps you coming back each year?
I’m currently starting my fifth year of Fodder School.
I originally signed up for Fodder School 1 after taking a short online collage course somewhere else. I enjoyed that experience so much that when Fodder School started appearing on my social media feeds, I eventually decided to give it a try for one year.
Now it has become a major part of my life.
With everything happening in the world — especially in the United States — Fodder School has become a creative escape for me. It’s a place where I can immerse myself in art making, experimentation, and inspiration. I honestly cannot imagine not having new Fodder School projects to look forward to each month.
How has Fodder School influenced your creative journey or daily art practice?
Fodder School keeps me creating and keeps me making art consistently.
Left entirely to my own devices, I’d probably spend too much time lying around playing games on my phone instead of creating! The lessons and projects encourage me to stay engaged with my creativity and continue exploring mixed media art techniques.
One of the things I appreciate most is that Fodder School pushes me to try projects and artistic approaches I might never attempt on my own. There have been many times when I initially doubted a lesson or thought a project wasn’t for me, only to discover that it became one of my favorite creative experiences.
That willingness to experiment has changed the way I approach art making.
What’s one project, technique, or lesson from FS that completely lit you up?
One of the biggest gifts of Fodder School is that it constantly encourages me to experiment creatively and try things outside my comfort zone.
Some of the projects I initially resisted or questioned ended up becoming favorite techniques or meaningful creative breakthroughs. That element of surprise and discovery keeps the experience exciting year after year.
Fodder School continually reminds me that creativity grows when we stay open to play, experimentation, and unexpected ideas.
How would you describe the Fodder School community in three words?
Collective creative embrace.
One piece of encouragement for a brand-new student?
Don’t put pressure on yourself to make every project a masterpiece.
Instead, focus on enjoying the creative process, experimenting with materials, and allowing yourself to play. When you release the expectation of perfection, you’ll be amazed at what you can create.
That freedom to explore is where the magic really happens.
Through Fodder School, Kellie continues to explore mixed media art, collage, creative play, and artistic experimentation while staying connected to a supportive and inspiring online creative community.
We’re endlessly inspired by our Fodder School superfans and the heart they bring to this community. Stay tuned for more spotlights!
