We recently connected with Kaitlyn Hebden and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaitlyn, thanks for joining us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

As a solopreneur, the question of whether I’d be happier with a regular job comes up often, especially during tough times. This year has marked many changes in my career as a graphic designer and artist. With growth comes positive changes—bigger projects, awesome clients, and seeing my work flourish. However, growth also brings struggles, challenges, and self-doubt. Creative work is work, paid or unpaid, and it can be incredibly demanding. My fellow freelance design friends and I often joke that you have to be “a little nuts” to pursue a creative career… “but the good kind.”

This year, I had the opportunity to work on some dream projects. For so long in freelance, you get a mixed bag of projects, some great, some ehh… The dream projects where clients trust your ability, skill, and vision are out there, but it’s important to take on a variety of projects to learn what your secret sauce is in the industry. Those not-so-ideal projects may make you want to run for the hills or consider a different career path, but they help you identify what you don’t like to work on. Being creative on demand is a practice, and it means dedicating your lifestyle to noticing and expressing what you love, even in the simplest things. This doesn’t have an off switch, so you never really clock out. Creativity doesn’t operate on a 9-5 schedule for most. There have been occasions where I’ve sprung up in bed at 4 am with an “AHA” moment, realizing the solution for a project.

This year was my busiest yet, and while I felt the rewards of my hard work more than ever, it also brought new challenges. During a particularly stressful period, I found myself very overwhelmed, burned out, and frustrated. I started to seriously consider other job opportunities. I just wanted to clock out and collect a paycheck. I was a week out from a trip I had planned for a while, and I thought, “How the heck can I travel right now when I have so much to do?” Taking breaks and refreshing my perspective became crucial. The change of scenery, trying different foods, and reconnecting with my sister and friends I hadn’t seen in a long time was a soul boost that reinvigorated my creativity. When I returned to my office, I was filled with fresh inspiration and was able to look at all my work from this year with fresh eyes.

Ultimately, this reaffirmed that while creative careers come with challenges, they also offer profound rewards. Embracing the ups and downs is part of growth, and each experience shapes my path as an artist. The passion I have for my work, despite the hurdles, reminds me why I chose this path in the first place.

Kaitlyn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am Kaitlyn Hebden, the designer and artist behind Groove Graphics Studio, based in Maine. I have been freelancing for six years, specializing in branding, merchandise design, and murals. My work draws significant inspiration from music, film, and pop culture movements. I love blending contemporary trends, techniques, and ideas with the timeless aesthetics of yesteryears. I have worked with a variety of clients across several industries, including hospitality, music, entertainment, health and beauty, and recreation. The most rewarding part of my work is creating visual solutions for businesses, enabling them to craft a complete experience for their audience.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

I think there are many stereotypes attached to artists and creatives. Fortunately, these stereotypes are improving as people speak out on social media. Much of it is about educating others. We’ve all heard of the “starving artist” or the “messy artist”—the notion that you must sacrifice a comfortable living for a creative lifestyle. This is absolutely not the case. There’s a misconception that the work is so enjoyable and fun that people are just happy to do it for nothing. We must shift this narrative.

Anyone who does creative work or knows someone closely will tell you that creative work is still WORK! It is a skill that must be practiced and refined over countless hours, just like any other profession. You may have natural ability, but turning that into a functioning business takes just as much effort as a career on Wall Street.

Valuing art and design education creates a truly balanced culture. It promotes out-of-the-box thinking and problem-solving skills that are desperately needed in every part of our society. Encouraging support for local art demonstrates that we value individuality and expression. This could be as simple as resharing artists’ work on social media and ensuring they’re properly tagged or credited. Additionally, spreading awareness about industry standards and pricing has become more prominent on social media, which is vital for keeping the industry thriving. When the creative community feels valued, it’s a beautiful thing!

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

I would say seeing the work in the wild, in action, is the most rewarding part of the job. Oftentimes, a larger branding project that requires many parts—such as package design, signage, or merchandise—can take many months from start to finish. It is so rewarding to see a project that once was just a concept sketch take form as a fully thought-out brand experience with physical pieces. I’ve always loved designing for print for this reason.

I recently completed work for Lark Coffee in Wells, ME, one of my favorite projects to date. I handled everything from the brand identity to their packaging, merch, and photography, right down to their coffee trailer vinyl decals. It’s truly magical to dive deep into a brand in this way. You get the chance to tell the business owner’s story and connect with each part, making it such a cohesive experience.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.groovegraphics.design/
• Instagram: @groovegraphics.studio

Image Credits

My portrait photo is by: @jeniwallingfordphoto

Crew Mural photo (the restaurant shot with blue neon sign) is also by: @jeniwallingfordphoto

The second portrait (red dress/sunglasses) is by: @hsphoto_co

All other photos are by me: @groovegraphics.studio