We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Carson Kapp a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Carson, thanks for joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

While my current practice is defined as an intuitive, spiritual expression by using vibrant layers, energetic strokes, and experimental techniques to uncover a singular truth, my past career as an architect stood in stark contrast. My former professional life was rooted in commercial scale, rigid structural integrity, safety protocols, and strict functionality.

The last time I found myself reflecting on the path of a regular job was while navigating a particularly demanding creative season where the lack of structure felt overwhelming. In the midst of the chaotic, often isolating process of moving from a blank canvas to an abstract realization, I caught myself romanticizing the predictability of my architectural days. I missed the clear parameters and the defined milestones of building projects. For a moment, the weight of the unknown in my studio felt heavier than the weight of a skyscraper.

However, as I sat with that thought, I realized that the freedom I now possess is the exact antidote to the constraints I once lived under. While architecture required me to build for others, my art allows me to build a bridge to my own soul. I concluded that my former career taught me the discipline to hold space for structure, but my current path as an artist demands the courage to let that structure dissolve. I am no longer interested in the safety of a functional blueprint. I am committed to the risk of the intuitive journey, where failure is just another layer and the only “safety” required is the honesty of the expression.

Carson, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My journey into professional artistry was born from the challenges of my architectural career. Each time I faced a layoff, I turned to the canvas, ultimately discovering that the most difficult chapters of life often reveal our greatest strengths. I have learned to view those professional downturns not as setbacks, but as the catalysts for my creative evolution.

My artwork is deeply autobiographical, serving as a visual diary of my life’s journey. During a transformative retreat at the St. Francis Prayer Center in North Carolina, I received a guiding philosophy that now anchors both my life and my creative process: the acronym “SKATE.” It represents a daily practice of Surrendering to the present moment, being Kind to others and oneself, Allowing life to unfold in its own miraculous timing, finding the Trust required to let go, and experiencing the Ease that follows. Like the teachings of Ram Dass, my work is a call to “Be Here Now.”

Through my paintings, I solve the problem of disconnect by inviting viewers to find meaning in their own life transitions. What sets my work apart is its raw, intentional vulnerability and the spiritual philosophy woven into every stroke. I am most proud of my ability to transmute life’s uncertainties into tangible expressions of peace. To those discovering my work, I want you to know that my brand is more than just art—it is an invitation to embrace the flow of life with grace and presence.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My primary mission as an artist is to capture and share the essence of pure, childlike joy. This feeling of wild-eyed freedom is reminiscent of adventuring barefoot under a tree canopy with my siblings and cousins. Joy is the golden ribbon that ties all of my work together. To infuse this spirit into my process, I collect heart-shaped rocks during my walks, paint the word “joy” on them, and place them in my paint water jars. In this way, joy is literally splashed onto every canvas. I also gift these rocks to others, allowing the merits of my practice to ripple out into the world one smile at a time.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is tapping into an alternate state of consciousness, that profound flow where time disappears and everything becomes bliss. This experience is deeply connected to my daily meditation practice, which focuses on channeling divine light to benefit all sentient beings. It serves as a reminder that we are light beings temporarily inhabiting a body; we are not our thoughts, emotions, or physical forms, but souls intrinsically connected to one another and the universe.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.carsonkapp.weebly.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kappcarson/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carson.kapp1
• Other: https://floridaartistsgroup.org/html/florida-artist-group-member-carson-kapp.html