Welcome back to our What Creativity Looks Like series. Every week this summer (and now fall!), I’ve been introducing you to some amazingly creative women. My hope is as you read these interviews and virtually meet these ladies, you’ll be inspired to create more in your own life.
Let’s get started!
What’s your name (and business name, if you have one)?
Kim Knight, Kim Knight Designs
Tell us about YOU. How is your creativity expressed?
My creativity is expressed the best through drawing and painting. However, I love any crafty project that comes my way.
How did you get started in your creative practice? (“Practice” is just a fancy word for all the fun creative things you do. :))
I have created as long as I can remember, but did not start a business until 2010. It started when a lady from church, who is also an artist, was looking at my art journal doodles. She encouraged me to pursue the avenue of doodle art. I started doodling on everything like paintings, tables, chairs, and turning painted/doodled dropcloths into bags. After awhile, that evolved into making bags with free motion sewing. I enjoyed that for most of last year. This year has been an interesting year of growth for my art. I have picked up my paintbrushes and palette knives and started painting again. These days, I am working with lots of different mediums in my mixed media pieces.
What keeps you going?
If I do not create for a few days, I get that itch inside that can only be soothed by doing something creative. Painting brings out a relaxing feeling like nothing else for me. (Well except the beach maybe…very relaxing!) I also love to share my work in hopes that it will make others smile. Sometimes sharing one’s work can be quite scary. Rejection is never fun, but if I can make one person smile, it is worth it.
What is your greatest joy?
My greatest joy comes from spending time with my husband and kids. Next in line would be painting.
What’s a “typical” day (or week) like for you? In other words, how do you incorporate creative projects into your life?
My day starts off with getting everyone out of the house (except me) smoothly. I then try to do some sort of exercise. My favorite is yoga or walking the trail at our local state park. Most mornings, I do some warm up drawing in my art journal. I try to do a few household chores before creating, but I am terrible at staying focused. Most of the time, my house remains a small disaster because I will jump into creating instead. I have tried for several years to find that sweet balance, but it still eludes me like the magical unicorn. I may draw, paint, or sew for work. I do whatever the creative part of my soul craves. I think that is confusing to some of my followers, but it keeps me from burn out. I normally stop working around kid pick up time. That time varies so it is very nice to have a flexible schedule.
What would you say to someone who wants to be creative but can’t find the time?
I would say to look at how much time you spend doing things that suck up a bunch of time. I have to be very mindful of how much time I spend on social media. There are entirely too many rabbit holes to get lost in there. I think you make time for things that are important to you, so try to schedule a small block of time to create. Keep a small art journal to draw in or a notebook to write. Most of my art journal drawings are done in 30 minutes or less. Even if I can’t finish it, I can always continue later. Also, figure out ways to make it mobile. When I still worked, I would have a book to draw in while I was taking a lunch break or anytime I had to sit and wait.
What do YOU think creativity looks like?
Creativity is a way of life. Creating art, taking pictures with my phone, looking at life’s lessons in a unique way, showing my favorite people I love them in fun ways, those are only some ways I am trying to live a creative life. I think being creatively present is a fun way to live.
I love how Kim described finding balance as trying to find a magical unicorn. Um, yeah, I can so relate. I think that we sometimes just have to jump in and go for it. I’m learning more and more that the time is there, but I get so easily distracted with my “have tos” and everything else in life. I also love how she follows her heart creatively and has moved from sewing bags to multi-media painting. I have a hard time staying in one medium too! Thank you so much, Kim, for creating such beautiful pieces and for sharing a bit of your story with us today. If you’d like to see more of Kim’s lovely work, check out her shop on Etsy or follow her on Instagram.
Have a lovely {and creative} day!
