We recently had the chance to connect with Kara Voorhees Reynolds and have shared our conversation below.
Kara, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Intelligence
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am a watercolorist with a penchant for mermaids, octopuses, sea turtles, and the aquatic in general. I use vibrant colors and rich textures and patterns to communicate the magical flow and the abstract glory of the ocean. Over the many years of this practice, clients have said that my art brings them tranquility, carving out an unplanned moment of contemplation and calm. This is a delight to hear, as my own process is to meditate as I paint, isolating my mind and hands to the singular practice of creating. I also do digital illustration. I have a coloring book coming out next year called The Florida State Coloring Book: Landmarks and Landscapes to Color from the Sunshine State published by Ulysses Press, distributed by Simon & Schuster. I also do character art for science fiction and fantasy authors. I am also an author. I wrote and self published a fantasy romance called Priestess. It has been really popular, mostly spread by the old fashioned method of word of mouth. I was picked up by a literary agent and she sold it and two other books to Podium Entertainment to be made into audiobooks.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
I am so grateful for the art residencies I have been able to attend, France at the Chateau d’Orquevaux, Greece at The Skopelos Foundation for the Arts and this past May in New Mexico at Ghost Ranch, known for being the final home of Georgia O’Keeffe. Meeting other artists and creatives in general can make what are often isolated practices, painting, illustrating and writing) seem less isolated. Other creative folks can offer so much to the individual perspective, a great reminder that we don’t operate alone even when it seems like we do.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
I developed a love for both art and storytelling as a kid. Listening to audiobooks while drawing was pure magic. I thought of it as my happy place. It was the perfect escape and it is exactly what I do to this day!
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
There’s a lot of misconception about what it means to be a successful artist. The truth is very simple; there is, despite most folks not understanding this, such a thing as a middle class creative. I think a lot of folks in the creative fields believe that an overnight sensation or a sellout success is what is going to pay the bills or get them to where they want to go! But in actuality, we are, to quote Aimee McNee, an amazing thinker and artist, at the dawn of the age of the middle class artist! Overnight sensations burn out and fade away. But slow burn success is really what a creative should aim for.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
When I was in Ghost Ranch, New Mexico, attending my last art residency, I was doing a lot of reading of Georgia O’Keefe‘s personal letters and writing. She has a quote where she says that she was terrified her whole life, but it never kept from doing anything, and that really resonates with me because the truth of the matter is is that all creative endeavors Require certain levels of personal exhibition and sacrifice. It takes a lot to explore with the scope of your talents are, then realize you need to hone the skill to do what it is that you want to do and that other other people will witness this and perhaps even judge the outcome. But you just have to keep trying, and you just have to keep painting or singing or songwriting or whatever it is. You can’t give up just because things feel strange or wrong. It’s best to just push through the insecurities and keep going. When I was at Ghost Ranch I wrote down: the craft comes first. And I think if you put the craft come first, it doesn’t matter if anyone even sees it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.artbykaravoorheesreynolds.com
- Instagram: @artbykaravoorhees @karaneedstoread
Image Credits
I own them all!
