Kelly Parsell is a Chicago-based interdisciplinary artist

and the woman behind Nerd Press paper goods and novelty gifts. She received her M.F.A. in Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts from Columbia College in 2010 and her B.A. in Psychology and Studio Art from Albion College in 2007. Her work has been exhibited nationally and internationally and can be found in numerous libraries and collections, including those of Yale, Indiana, and Duke universities.

Kelly was lucky enough to work as a studio assistant for fiber artist Nick Cave from 2011-2013. She currently finds herself enjoying freelance work and working part-time as a Design Associate for a furniture company. When she’s not working, she is eating, traveling, thrifting, cuddling with her cat, and adventuring around.

Nerd Press is a one-woman operation

specializing in whimsical greeting cards, pet portraits, and screen printed baby clothes. Almost all work is done by Kelly by hand in her home studio. In her practice, she tries to balance both being sustainable and low cost. The cards are designed, illustrated, inkjet printed, cut, folded, and packaged by hand. She prints on paper from the American mill, French Paper, out of Niles, Michigan. Her silkscreens are all handmade from recycled picture frames and thrifted fabric. She does all of the burning, printing, and heat setting by hand. Eco-friendly, non-toxic water-based inks are used. The product line recently expanded to include tote bags and adult tees which are outsourced for printing by other local businesses Kelly is proud to support.