We recently connected with Kay Hunt and have shared our conversation below.
Kay, appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?
Before I even started my illustrating career, I was convinced that the only way you could make art, or make a living being an illustrator, was if you knew how to create illustrations digitally. *NOTE: I did not go to school for illustration, so i’m not sure who put this idea in my head.* Mind you, this was way back when there were no iPads or procreate and if you knew how to create digital illustrations, you were the coolest kid in school. I think the closest thing I knew to creating digital illustration work was through illustrator or the elusive Wacom tablet that very few in my school had mastered.
Needless to say, when the iPad became more accessible and procreate came out into the world, I had finally thought to myself, this is it! Among this, was the emergence of Social Media. And not only social media for fun or sharing family pictures, but social media for sharing your art, and starting a business! I had my apple pencil in hand, iPad in my lap, Procreate open and I began. For about 2 years this was my illustration journey. I was making art and creating a name for myself but I felt unfulfilled in my work.
What was meant as a stress reliever in creating art, became my number one stressor and a mental block at getting the result that I had wanted in my final pieces. As I was working digitally, I slowly started integrating traditional materials. Colored pencils were my first go to, and are still one of my favorite mediums. Then I discovered gouache. Certainly not an overnight triumph, gouache had become my newest obsession on how to master. After a whole year of practicing strokes, experimenting with paper, mixing colors, I felt like I had finally learned the craft of painting with gouache, and I am never looking back.
My iPad has it’s moments, with simple sketches, touchups and the rare finished illustrations, but nothing will come close to the feeling of meditative state and relaxation I get after completing a finished piece that was made from a tube of gouache paint and a paintbrush.
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.
Hello! My name is Kay, short for Katie. I am an illustrator who specializes in children’s illustration, while always trying to keep a sense a whimsy in everything I create.
I love color, I love trying new materials and mediums, and I love creating. I also love sharing my passion for creation with my audience, and reminding them that art is not only about the final product, but it’s also about the journey that was taken to create it. For me, art brings a sense of peace and tranquility, and that’s what I want for others who are looking for creativity as an outlet. Art is for everyone, and if you have a need to create, then you should pursue that.
Along with my love of illustrating, I am also a business owner. In 2020, I first opened my shop, selling prints and stationary. I had to close it to pursue book illustrating and then focus on refining my craft, but now I’m excited to be opening it up again in the fall of 2023.
I’m currently working on my newsletter, opening up my shop, writing stories, building up my portfolio and finding an agent for representation. Like I always say, I’m an illustrator finding my way, one painting at a time!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
I like this question, because for me my goals have changed many times.
At first when I started my goal was purely numbers based through social media. I want this many followers, I want to be posting this many times per week.
Then my goals turned to owning an online shop. I need x amount of income to qualify as a true working artist. I need to be making x amount of new products to run my shop and keep my audience satisfied.
These are all well and fine goals to have when running a business, but sometimes it takes the enjoyment out of being a creative. What was once a way to relax and feel fulfilled, turned into burn out and exhaustion.
My goals then turned into book illustration. I received my first project illustrating two books, and I thought this was it! This was where I wanted my attention to be!
I still want that, but it’s not a goal for me.
Now I don’t believe in goals, and there are two reasons for this. The first reason is, when you have a goal and you don’t reach it, it can seem like you are a failure. Which is not the case at all. Chances are on your journey to achieving your goals, you grew and learned, and that is a success in of itself. The second reason I don’t believe in goals is, what happens when you reach it? I reached 9 out of the 10 goals I had set for myself. Now what? There is a sense of unknowing, that can be very paralyzing at times.
Now, I just focus on creating. When I have a project idea in my head, I make it. When there will be a project I want to pursue, I’ll pursue it. If I get approached for an opportunity that I align with, I’ll take it. With no goal in mind, I am here for the journey, not the destination.
Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?
One book in particular, I highly recommend is, “Atomic Habits” by James Clear.
It talks all about how habits, good or bad, can influence you and your life. Also how making small changes can transform your habits to create impacting and lifelong results.
I haven’t read it in a while, but I do refer back to it when I feel myself slipping into older habits.
It’s really helped me schedule out my day and my time, be productive when I do have time, after all I have three kids and they keep very busy!
It also helps put perspective on things and reminds you that impactful things/habits don’t happen overnight, they take time. 
Contact Info:
- Website: https://ohkayyay.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohkayyay/
Image Credits
All images are my own, Kay Hunt