We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kate-Lan Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kate-Lan below.

Kate-Lan, appreciate you joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Growing up as an Asian American raised by southerners I often felt like I didn’t quite fit into any groups around me, I was always the odd one out of the group; I was too “white” to be considered BIPOC but I was also the only Asian person in the group. I faced challenges and stereotypes that led to misunderstandings and a sense of not belonging. Being usually the only Asian person in the group I was often assumed to be “smart” and to go to college and graduate top of my field. One of the big misconceptions I’ve encountered is the assumption that I am at where I’m at because I am college educated.

Not having pursued a traditional college education doesn’t diminish my passion, dedication, or talent in the world of crafts and creativity. Instead, it fueled my determination to carve out my own path and prove that formal education isn’t the sole determinant of my success. My diverse background and experiences have shaped me into a versatile and adaptable individual, allowing me to explore a myriad of skills.

While the journey hasn’t always been easy, facing adversity has only strengthened my drive to pursue my passions relentlessly. Embracing my identity and unique perspective has empowered me to thrive in the face of challenges and inspired me to advocate for inclusivity and diversity within the creative community. Through my work and experiences, I aim to challenge stereotypes, break down barriers, and encourage others to embrace their authenticity, regardless of societal expectations

Kate-Lan, 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 Kate-Lan Johnson, I was adopted from an orphanage in Vietnam when I was a baby and was raised in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in a small mill town called Forest City, NC. I grew up as one of the few Asians in my area with a southern accent, and spent my childhood playing by a creek, catching lightning bugs in the mid august heat, and going to multiple different fleamarkets (depending on the day of the week) with my parents. Both of my parents were middle school teachers so I spent the summers doing their own versions of “homework.” School was never something I was good at, or cared much about. I found it difficult to comprehend, and teachers never were really a huge fan of me so trying to get help was out of the question. After a while I got tired of fighting the title “a bad kid that’s going to end up in prison one day” and just did my own thing. That’s when I discovered art, and it was the first time that something I did wasn’t right or wrong, or good or bad, it just was, and I loved it. I could show it to people if I wanted to or didn’t if I didn’t want to. It was my own thing. Through the rest of my schooling I would sit in the back of class with my tiny water bottle, and my fleamarket find 50 cent sketchbook with paints and spend the entire school day painting.

When it was time to go to college, I decided to pre- take a year off. I didn’t know what I wanted to study, and I felt like I was too stupid to study anything worth while. That “year off” turned into another, and then another. I spent most of that time instead, on the porch of my friend’s house while they played music or made art under the stars in front of a fire pit we built together. This is where I first found my love for bluegrass music, and folk art. After a while I stopped thinking about going to University, and focused on just getting by. Throughout my life I’ve had the opportunity to learn and/or work in many different skilled trades from graphic design, marketing, ceramics and mold making to welding, glassblowing, mandolin, and dance. I learned that I love working with my hands and as simple as it sounds: I just love doing things. I honestly don’t think I would have had the opportunity to learn so many things if it weren’t for the people around me who also had a deep passion for their own craft. I’ve since realized that college wasn’t for me, and making connections with people who love what they do is the way to experience life to it fullest.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I’ve had to unlearn and that I continue to grapple with is the conventional definition of success. Much of my life was spent feeling inadequate, constantly questioning if what I was doing would ever be deemed “successful.” As I matured, I began to challenge the very notion of success and its subjective nature. For some, success is reaching the pinnacle of their career and garnering recognition, while for others, it’s amassing wealth and achieving financial security. Personally, I never felt like I fit into these traditional molds of success. Growing up I was labeled as “the dumb Asian,” which only reinforced my belief that success was out of reach for me. Consequently, I embraced this mindset, earning the title of “burnout” as I neglected my studies and pursued interests that brought me joy, particularly working with my hands and creating things. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that my true success lies in pursuing what makes me genuinely happy. I discovered fulfillment in doing what I love and while there are moments of doubt where I wonder if I should have followed a more conventional path, I know that pursuing my passions is where my happiness and true success are. It’s taken me a while to acknowledge that I am successful because I have found contentment and purpose in what I love, which is just “doing stuff.”

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Anyone can be an artist. We love putting rules on everything “You need a degree in fine arts,” “You must earn a certain income from it,” or “You should dedicate all your time to this one craft for the rest of your life and never do anything else.” I feel like these limitations discourage many from exploring new paths, because their work won’t measure up to that of “successful” artists. I’ve learned a valuable lesson over the years: “Do it for yourself.” Not everything should be judged by its profitability or recognition. People rush to monetize their hobbies, missing out on the initial joy and passion of just doing it. Embrace the process of creation rather than focusing solely on the outcome. Create for yourself, find satisfaction in the act of just doing and living.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @illumikate