Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Ballew. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Karen, thanks for joining us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?
Overall, I’m happy being an artist, but I’ve had my moments of doubt and have wondered if I would be happier doing something else for a living. As an artist, you can’t really “leave your work at work” because your work is your passion; it’s with you and part of you all the time. That can be a tremendous blessing but also feel like a curse at times.
For me, I’m learning how to accept myself and my intrinsic worth as a child of God apart from my art. Understanding my “job” as an artist as an extension of who I am (a gift to be shared, communication, an expression) and not everything that I am is crucial. Because artists are often deeply connected with our work, it’s easy to begin equating one’s sense of self-worth with the success or non-success of one’s art– that is a dangerous and slippery slope. There’s a bigger picture…Who we are is not only what we do, but also how we live and how we treat the people around us…how we love and support one another.
I won’t go too much into this, but making money as an artist can be incredibly difficult (especially for me, as I’m not very business minded). It takes a great sense of entrepreneurship, accurately evaluating the monetary value of what you offer and learning how to best communicate that with others.
Another difficulty I have in working as an artist is structuring my time. I like to work in spurts and as inspiration strikes…But honestly, I can get super hyperfocused and lose perspective on things, and it can be difficult for me to keep to a routine!
I’m learning that life is all about balance: putting first things first, having enough of a routine to help with productivity and mental stability, but also leaving room for spontaneity– time to be still, listen, and move where the Spirit is leading. I’m gradually learning how to do this better and am grateful and happy to be an artist!
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’ve loved music for a long as I can remember…watching The Sound of Music with my grandma, singing hymns in church, and joining a community youth chorus in my hometown of Abilene, Texas. Dr. Betty Karol Wilson was the director of the Classical Youth Chorus of Abilene, and she was a great inspiration to me! We sang songs from around the world and from many different time periods and cultures. I continued to sing choral music and do musical theatre in high school and studied voice in college, but soon, folk music became my biggest passion! I loved studying harp and learning from Irish singers at the O’Flaherty Irish Music Retreat and attending a singing summer school in Ireland with Michael McGlynn and Anúna. I also sang with a global Christian worship group in Dallas, who shared biblical songs from around the world, and directed a youth chorus at the North Texas School of Irish Music. These experiences have greatly shaped my voice as a songwriter.
In 2017, I moved to Nashville, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such wonderful musicians and people here in Music City! I perform original Celtic fusion / folk rock songs with my band The Deer’s Cry, named after a translation of the old Irish prayer St. Patrick’s Breastplate. The Deer’s Cry includes Bryan Brock (percussion), Patrick Atwater (upright bass), Will MacLean (banjo, guitars), and other collaborators. We have released two albums: Rise with the Dawn produced by Ren Renfree and Heal the Heart produced by Nick Bullock. My cousin Madison Thames creates beautiful artwork for The Deer’s Cry, and my husband Brad Ballew produces our music videos!
Recently, I connected with Claire Shirey, director of the Nashville Irish Music School, and it has been a joy teaching singing through the school and attending the céilí dances organized by Wendy Windsor! I also sing choral music with the Portara Ensemble and enjoy collaborating with other musicians in town as well, including violinist/singer/composer Juan Diego Sandoval García and world percussionist Kyle Jones. Playing with Celtic Circle for the International Food Festival at Plaza Mariachi was a blast, and it was so inspiring to hear the other performers—there are some truly remarkable international music ensembles here in Nashville!
In 2021, I began learning a Central Asian dance style from the Pamirs in Tajikistan from professional dancer and choreographer Natalie Nayun and will be joining the Nashville International Folk Dancers soon—I look forward to learning dances from Bulgaria, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Armenia, Russia, Hungary, France, and Israel with this group!
Through songwriting and collaboration, I hope to share meaningful experiences with others; to celebrate the beauty in this universe, express the soul’s wonder and potential, and to encourage people through life’s challenges.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
Well, I actually have two things that I’ve discovered are equally rewarding in the artistic experience. The first is getting to connect with others on a deeper level through lyrics, story, and the emotional impact of music itself (which is still very much a mystery to me). If I can create something that has a meaningful impact on someone, is an encouragement to people, and/or can start a healthy dialogue between two different points of view, that is one of the best rewards an artist can receive in my opinion. And what is equally rewarding is who you create with, because no one produces art in a vacuum. Even if you’re a solo artist, you still have people that believe in you, who are making your pursuit possible…And even if you’re doing almost everything yourself, there will always be someone that provides the impetus for your journey (even if that person is no longer living or is a fellow artist who inspires you). For me, I’ve been blessed with a husband, parents, brother, family, collaborators, and friends who love and believe in me (even when I don’t believe in myself sometimes). This gives me the strength to continue down the winding, unpredictable path that is the artistic pursuit.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
I’ve found that over the past seven years, there has been this seemingly inexplicable thing driving my creativity…It’s difficult to describe, but it feels both beyond me and a part of me. There is no other way for me to define it than the leading of the Holy Spirit and the hand of God working in my life. Unfortunately, I don’t always give it the attention it deserves, and these are the times when I feel the most lost and preoccupied with things that are less important. I’d like to share two quotes from people who have inspired my mission as an artist. The first is from Nelson Mandela. He said, “We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us.” No matter what your life’s pursuit is, I think this is a great reminder of the beauty and potential that exists in every single one of us. And lastly, I’d like to share a quote from my favorite author, Madeleine L’Engle. Many will know her from her book A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963. I love all her work, and her essay Walking on Water: Reflections on Faith and Art has been a particularly influential guide in my creative journey. L’Engle writes, “The artist who is a Christian, like any other Christian, is required to be in this world, but not of it. We are to be in this world as healers, listeners, and as servants. In art we are once again able to do all the things we have forgotten; we are able to walk on water; we speak to the angels who call us; we move, unfettered, among the stars.”
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thedeerscry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedeerscryband/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedeerscryband/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvr3cS-YXq8SyRAcB8g7vJg
Image Credits
Album Artwork by Madison Thames, Photography by Barbara Potter Photography, Concert and rehearsal pics taken by Brad Ballew