We recently connected with Kadra Nevitt and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kadra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?

All of my prior jobs have helped me with one major component, people!
Growing up I was homeschooled so I was rather shy in bigger social situations. I was not good at sports but I loved art. As a teen my mom fully supported my art as a future job/ income goal. My parents helped me create a booth, order print reproductions of my work and hauled me to rodeos and shows in mostly the western US, since we lived in Washington state. This pushed my shyness into the background, I was asked questions and as this was my artwork I was in my “ comfort zone “. At 19 however I married and 15 years of struggle ensued. I nearly gave up on my art. We did divorce and I don’t blame him, I blame myself for making a decision that was wrong, simple as that.
During that time I was a mail contractor ( basically a rural route ) it paid the bills, but also gave me one on one time with co-workers and also customers. A lot of whom I am still friends with today! People teach us about ourselves, how we view each other, how we work on ourselves ( or not ) and how to handle conflict. I am so thankful for the job that not only put food on the table for my children but gave me a work ethic I still depend on today! Not only that but a level of professionalism that is also invaluable. I was representing the USPS every day, 6 days a week, rain, snow, sleet or hail! I could show up complaining or I could show up thankful for another day and serve with a smile! It was also where I met the love of my life!
In 2020 we moved from Washington state to Kansas. My husband was from Kansas but I did not know a soul here. Talk about outside my comfort zone! I started working at a company locally and ended up 3 years later being asked to be the office manager. I was in that position 10 months. THAT was way outside my comfort zone again, and although I stepped down it taught me so much that is helping me navigate my own art business. I was never a confident public speaker, being a manager we were expected to speak at weekly meetings. Although I was nervous I got better with time and now I’m starting my own art lessons, something I thought I would never be comfortable with! Not only am I not nervous whatsoever but I am completely enjoying it!
I believe every person and every situation in life we can learn from if we choose to!

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 back background and context?

I have always been an artist. I was also born horse crazy, and started my horse ownership path at age 9. I can never remember a time when I wasn’t coloring or drawing, mostly horses!
When I was 14 our Post Master at the local post office commissioned me to do a portrait of her daughter. It was my first art “ job “ and I have actually never stopped. That was 30 years ago! Although I’ve had times where I didn’t do artwork because of work and raising kids, I don’t think there’s been a year since then that I haven’t done at least 1 commission.
When we moved to Kansas in 2020 I was no longer working 6 days a week, and the vast openness around our 25 acres and the Kansas sunlight -as apposed to the Washington rainy days -poured gasoline on my creativity! I went from 2-5 works a year to that same amount in a month! I started my LLC and have started back into the show scene.
My main focus is western scenes and landscapes. I use pastels for a rich color, and love using lighting for a unique take on my subjects.
I want to create works for my clients that tells their story. I love going to their homes/ ranches etc, and getting to know them, everyone has a story! I want their heart in the works I create, something that is timeless and a bit of an heirloom. Whether it is a sunset on their place, in their favorite spot, a working scene with their horses, or just a portrait, I want their story to be captured in a special way. I don’t just create I feel everything deeply, I feel the whispy clouds as I create their colors and depth, I can hear the gurgle of the creek as I’m painting the rocks, I can feel the warmth and hear the serenade of cicadas in a Kansas sunset, I can feel the hoofbeats and taste the dust on branding day as I lay the colors and layers down on my art boards.
I am proud to honor the people and world around me in my art!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I am small compared to a most businesses. I feel the last year has been my “ start “. I posted on Facebook last January, asking people to invite people to “ like “ and follow my page. I had a picture of me working at my desk, and said that I had a goal of hitting 600 likes ( I was at 250 ish ) in less than 24 hours I had over 1000 new “ likes “ on my page!
Yes I shared it on my personal page which was a lot of my success. But I was honest about my goal and had a print give away to go with it!
I’m still learning ( we never stop ) but we can never ever forget that the relationships are what get us to our business goals!

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

How to Win Friends and Influence People.
Yes this is an older book but it still holds true! I naturally enjoy people so the concepts in the book are very easy for me because I already think this way.
And the Bible, my faith helps me navigate the let downs and failures in a hopeful way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kadrasart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artistkadra
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtistKadra