We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Karen Reid a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?
My first answer would be a big Yes, however when I sit back and think about this question I believe I was supposed to start my creative journey later rather than earlier on in my life. I’m a great believer in what is supposed to be will be. Everything I have previously gone through has set me on this path. So no is my final answer lol. I’m happy to be starting this journey now
Karen, 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?
My name is Karen Reid and I also go by the artist name K.Marie. I’m originally from London,UK. I moved to the states 22 years ago and I have lived in Washington state, Oklahoma, Alaska, and now Florida.
In March 2017, I moved with my two daughters in tow to the Orlando area from Washington state after my marriage ended. I decided to pick up and move across country to give us a fresh start.
When I moved here it was tough because I had no job, a failed marriage, two children that needed me and a new role….which I never wanted – I was now a single mother with no plan in place but that didn’t stop me because God had my back!
My strong faith in Jesus Christ helped me to keep going and keep pushing forward.
I struggled for a while to find work or even get considered for an interview because “I was from out of town’ but I had a stellar work record but that didn’t make any difference. Eventually, after praying continuously-I was blessed to meet my daughters friends mother and she passed on my resume to her sister – long story short I got my first job in Florida working at a cardiology clinic. As they say a lot of the time it’s who you know – not what you know.
After over a year of working at the cardiology clinic I had to leave because it was too far from my children’s school and home – which gave constant anxiety. I jumped from one job to the next which did not make me feel good in fact it definitely contributed to me spiraling down into a deep depression but still that did not stop me! I had to keep striving for better for not only myself but for the sake of my children.
2020 I eventually started working at a job I liked with a great location then COVID hit and that turned everything upside down! I was definitely one of the blessed ones because I got an opportunity to work from home. Then my children had to stay home too! Which drove me crazy lol.
At the beginning of 2021 my friend (an artist and entrepreneur) encouraged me to start painting which is something that I hadn’t done since I was in kindergarten/infant school and open up my own online Etsy shop.
The Etsy shop was called Serenity Self Care. I had a face and body scrub and an oil made with all organic ingredients. I originally made those products for my daughter who suffered with eczema as a baby and decided to make it available to a bigger audience. At the same time I started to realize how much I loved to paint.
I’ made a few sells of my cosmetics but it was not enough to keep going. I realized after a few months of trying to sell my products that it was time to make a choice between my art or cosmetics.
I closed the Etsy shop and continued to paint. I was always an artistic person – as far back as I can remember I had always loved art, paintings, sculptures even architectural structures but I never thought that I would be creating artwork.
So I started painting May 2021 and I fell in love with it. This was such a blessing because it became my therapy and helped me to look even deeper into myself as well as everyone around me. I had a new appreciation for life and a bigger purpose than myself
I had my first art show April 2022 at Crossroads Art Show and I did my first live painting which was a little nerve wracking but so worth it and I made a sell! Woohoo!
Then the following week I was featured at Artwalk Orlando
That same year I sold a few of my original artworks
November 2022 – Artist if The Month at Maitland Library.
2023
I have had a few art shows
My artwork is on display at a library in Orange Blossom Trail
I had my art at the Quantum Leap Winery, Credo Coffee, the H2O show City Arts Orlando. I was also featured at the premiere show called PLATFORM at the Orlando Museum of Art.
I’m working on my website/online shop, building my brand, getting the exposure I need and understanding the Art business
It’s tough trying to juggle a full-time job, be a parent, and also be a business owner but I will succeed at it! It’s going to take some time and I’m not going to give up. I realize one of my purposes in life is to help others.. I want to give back and make a big contribution to the world and it can start with my artwork
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
When my artwork touches someone’s heart ❤️ When I have created something that moves others or sparks their interest- there are no words to express how satisfying and rewarding that is.
I love the whole process from sitting in front of a blank canvas – to choosing the color palette and then creating an original unique piece that cannot be replicated because it comes from me! That’s a special extraordinary feeling.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
Yes! Absolutely. I want to be able to one day have my own charitable organization so I can not only give back but empower others. I believe that we all need to help one another because that is what human nature is all about.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.behance.net/karenreid5
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/k.marie.artsy?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087564041177&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/kmarieartsy?s=21&t=kECl8J_fTvB0hDm2diWLWg
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@Kmindia2005