We recently connected with Carly Means and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Carly thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

I think most middle children can agree that growing up as a middle child is weird. Growing up as a middle child when your older sibling is special needs and non-verbal is sometimes especially weird. I say this because I took on the role of the oldest child and the middle child. Not many can say they’ve done that.

Because of this environment, I didn’t get the opportunity to actively participate in a lot of activities as a kid. I was home a lot so I spent most of my time doing arts and crafts. No parents are perfect, but what my parents did do perfectly is they supported and nurtured my love for the arts and encouraged me every step along my creative journey, and are still supporting me as I’m studying psychology and fine arts in college.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Carly. I’m from KC Missouri. I’m currently studying Pre-Art Therapy at Lindenwood University. I’m still trying to find my creative voice/style but art therapy is my ultimate goal. I hope to eventually get some work into local galleries or exhibitions someday!

I’ve been doing art since I was able to hold a crayon but I recall first beginning to take my art seriously around 2015 when I was a middle school student. Instagram was very basic but I used it to share my colored pencil drawings of anything from Disney princesses to cats. I eventually deleted the account because I hit a massive creative rut but I am back online at @carlyjanepaints! Feel free to give me a follow.

Something I think that sets me apart from others is I’m very flexible in my style. Dare I say, I don’t even have a style yet. For a long time, I thought this was a problem, but I’m learning to use it to my advantage. Of course, having a signature style is important, but I think if you stick to that one style you’ll never grow creatively or artistically, which is why I think it’s so important to make yourself well-versed in all kinds of mediums. I would even argue it makes you more valuable for commissions.

At this point in my career, I haven’t done much, however, I did design a MASSIVE mural for my high-school library. And my name is up on it and everything.

I think I want to provide just a safe space for creatives online. I want people to know it’s ok if you don’t think your art belongs in the MET or the Louvre, because at the end of the day, this world needs art. This world also needs artists, and I feel like the online culture of art doesn’t make a lot of room for that mentality. Especially with the way that the Instagram algorithm is becoming.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

I think we need to eliminate this stigma or taboo of going to school to study art. Whether it’s English, Performing Arts, Fine Arts, whatever it is, because, at the end of the day, you are doing something to better yourself, and society cannot advance and better itself if people don’t want to better themselves.

Most people fail to realize how important art actually is. Without artists we wouldn’t have buildings, we wouldn’t have Starbucks, we wouldn’t have the clothes on our backs, and I could keep going on.

At the end of the day, eliminate the taboo on studying art, because art is absolutely everywhere whether people realize it or not.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s inspiring people. Like I said earlier I think it’s important that people better themselves whether it’s in math, science, philosophy, whatever it is. If I’m inspiring someone to better themselves in something that I love and am passionate about, I don’t think there’s a better feeling in the world than that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://l.instagram.com/?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcarlymeans.wixsite.com%2Fcarlymeansportfolio&e=ATNNskE7uAKhW2pkJCZa5h3ootab9RXDIeLKRmNeGmapL394MByBuA_vhKGCiXGLLy3t30g8oP09kcTQgeRHhPE&s=1
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carlyjanepaints/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carly-means-069923190/

Image Credits
All digital works are done on Procreate.