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

Katie, appreciate you joining us today. Can you take us back in time to the first dollar you earned as a creative – how did it happen? What’s the story?

I honestly do not remember who purchased my first piece of art or what that first sale was, I do remember the first time I received positive reactions to my paintings from people who did not know me personally which then led to offering work for sale.

I’d started painting for myself, to decorate my first apartment. The first attempts were fails, I had the wrong type of paint for canvas, I seemed to go blank when I sat down to paint, it was a bumpy ride. So when I felt I’d completely wasted my time I sat down and just decided to dump tons of paint on a canvas and use a sponge to move it, I didn’t enjoy paint brushes, something shifted and I got lost in the swirling colors on the canvas in front of me.

At some point I liked what I saw just enough to say, “That looks like something I could actually display as art.”

When I painted something for my spouse, when we were still dating, as a birthday gift, he shared it with friends and family on social media. The comments, response, and reaction was really thrilling as I didn’t expect it from people who didn’t know me personally.

At this time in my life I was trying to figure out my path in life, and it felt maybe, just maybe, I’d found something that fit. After years of not feeling connected to something, it was a great feeling, maybe also a little scary too, but mostly really good.

So, I kept painting and I’m pretty certain a good friend of mine was the first person who offered to buy a painting from me, probably for a small amount of twenty dollars or so.

And even though I’ve sold lots of large and small things over the years, each time a sale happens, it is super special because each sale is about connection. Someone is connecting with something I made, and it brings people together even if only through a simple transaction. When someone sees something I’ve created, and they say “That’s so ME!” It’s very rewarding, it’s the whole reason why I love to create.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started creating strictly for myself and as I received feedback and interest I began exploring selling my art.

I actually got to a point where I creatively stalled out, thinking I could only do one style and it wasn’t good enough so I began seeking other career options and took a break from creating for quite a while before it became clear it’s what I wanted to do again.

My focus is about providing, art, crafts and unique gifts to others with options and price points to meet just about any budget. So you can get a large piece of custom art for your home, all the way down to a bookmark or sticker.

All of which are special to me, I get just as excited when kids come to my table at fairs and want to buy a sticker for $2 as I do when someone commissions me to paint a custom piece of art.

One of my favorite experiences when I’m out shopping, is to walk into unique spots that seem to never end, are busy, and full of things to look at.

It’s my own little treasure hunt, not knowing what I’ll see next, and to get lost in my imagination while wondering and enjoying all the things to see.

Everything I make is for others to come along and connect with it. I connect with each piece of work through the art of inspiration, to the act of making, and finishing a project.

I love to create a variety of items, so when you come to my site or my booth at a fair, I want you to be able to get lost in looking at all the different things, and be surprised and delighted by the things you stumble upon.

: Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

For me, it’s telling people that anyone can create art, crafts, or whatever they desire.

There really are no rules, your creative style is your own and you can be creative even when you think you’re not “good” at it.

As a kid, I had very little interest in arts and crafts. Art to me was either boring and difficult. There were goals of finished things that had to look a certain way. I mean if I were to paint my pet cat and it was all blurry and funny shaped, then it was “bad” and I had not “talent”.

I didn’t realize or know art, crafting, creating meant so much more. It wasn’t about just having talent or a skill that was automagically there, it was about expression.

First and foremost, it’s the fun in the process that matters most. Can you get lost in the paint brush gliding on canvas? Can you be mesmerized by blending colors, or smearing your charcoal onto paper? Do you get swept up in your imagination of ideas (even if you have no idea how to make it yet)?

Creativity isn’t limited to a special few who have “talent”. It’s for anyone who has an interest in exploring. It doesn’t have to be a job, or for money, but it can be if it makes sense for you. Or it can be just for you, an outlet to destress, express, think, or not to think and relax.

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

Supporting artists and makers, well it’s becoming so much more available with online sales platforms.

We can all buy from hand-makers all over the globe from the comfort of our own home.

The obvious answer is anytime you have the opportunity to buy from artists and crafters directly is super helpful.

But what about when you don’t have the extra cash to buy? Or maybe you don’t personally know any makers or artists, so how do I support someone I don’t know personally when I’m not buying?

There’s many ways you can help support creative makers.

In the past, I’ll skip looking at booths or tables at fairs when I know I’m not able to spend much. However, what I’ve learned is maybe I’ll see something today that I’ll want to pick up a few months from now. So go browse, talk, make connections, I enjoy talking to people at my booth whether they buy or not, I’m happy you stopped by.

Sharing. Reposting posts on social media, talking in person to the art you’ve seen at whatever event you were at or the video you caught while scrolling.

Whether you know the maker personally or not, sharing is so helpful. It may not seem like much, but each time something is passed on to another person you never know who else may really connect with and just love the artist’s work. This of course helps the artist as much as the customer. As art can be something very personal and special so it’s a win for both people.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thismagicallife.shop
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thischicwhomakesthings/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Thischicwhomakesthings
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAiE0zeY_CQhyAJ7aFmjHug
• Other: www.artofwhere.com/artists/thismagicallife