We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katelyn Queen. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katelyn below.

Hi Katelyn, thanks for joining us today. What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you in your creative career?

I worked at my past job for 3 years. I had fallen in love with my job as the hours were simple and I had the best crew to work with. I had become so comfortable that for a while I didn’t see myself anywhere but there. A situation happened where I was ready to leave my job immediately. It was a hard challenge for me to move away from a place I had come to love so dearly. Leaving my close friends at the time was a burden. I was so sad and depressed, not to mention nervous for what the future could hold for me. I have graduated and have amazing connections to give some leads to a new job. I was applying everywhere left and right and I landed on a perfect job to grow in a collaborative setting. I am now a legal receptionist for 5 separate law firms. If it wasn’t for being brave and leaving, then I would have never learned that letting go could lead me to greater possibilities. I love learning and where I can grow and become more knowledgeable makes me feel more fulfilled in the work I am doing.
My past job has given me lifelong friendships that I wouldn’t trade for anything. It also taught me that moving on is a part of life and even when it is scary, it could pay of tremendously.
During the time I was looking for jobs it was tough on my mental health. As a ceramist, I felt disconnected from my art which drove me away from creating for a while. After some evaluation and thinking of my future, I wanted to ensure I could have something to show for even during a difficult time in my life. I wanted to be able to use my art to help relieve my stress. I didn’t want it to feel like a chore or something I must do. I want to enjoy my creative process. I managed to get myself up and go to the studio and throw as much as my heart desires. It has become a safety net for me. When life gets hard, I have a great coping plan to keep my mental health at bay.
All these recent feelings and change has helped me to be more prepared for when life wants to throw curve balls at me.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I am a ceramist and I have been throwing on a wheel for about a year or so. I started by taking some month long courses at Driftwood Ceramics in North Kansas City. (Wonderful for all ages and levels of knowledge with ceramics). I now am working to expand my collection and skills to sell my products to people all around. Not only does it bring me joy and serenity to create products, but the thought of my pieces being used and enjoyed by others makes my heart warm.

I am most proud of being able to grow and learn on my own time. Schooling and work feels like it has a time restraint for most projects. When it comes to my art I can take as long as I want to perfect my craft. Later on I would love to do multiple pieces for customers or whatever type of product they need. From mugs to vases and all in between.

I believe what will set me apart from others is the personable aspect of purchasing with me. I want to create a relationship with a buyer. I care about others and to create a friendship through art is the goal. I plan to apply next year for the Westport Art Festival in hopes of getting a booth to connect with others face to face. Ceramics has allowed me to make friends and a love for art that I can nurture and have forever. My website will keep an update of all the stuff I have been doing and my plans for the future. As well as updates on how I grow as a person, artist, and worker.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

For me the most rewarding part of being an artist is the process and comparing it to the end product. I am making a creating something that I can use for a very long time. Taking pictures and seeing how I grow feels tremendous. To show growth overtime and to be able to compare makes me want to keep going and seeing how much I can achieve.

I love creating and I recommend it for anyone who wants to become an artist. It may seem daunting and you may think of how you failed that one art class in middle school, but the feeling you get is unbeatable.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Ways that I believe a great way to support artists is to hear their story and share with others. Spreading the words about people you know can make a huge difference. Social media is a great tool, but I also believe connecting with people face to face. Attending shows and displays of art is a huge support. Seeing pieces in person can help show a message that an artist may be trying to display. Buying art and doing commissions may not be in everyone’s budget, but it can be something to consider if you love an artist and want to see them succeed.

Overall, I would say spreading the word and sharing your friends can give lots of results.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katelynqueen15.wixsite.com/katelynqueen
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boo.kq/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.queen.58
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katelyn-queen-266911197/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/_kitkat44