Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kay Storck. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kay, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I had always been interested in art, even as a child. But my mother instructed me to focus on my studies to gain professional employment as an adult. I put my art aside to earn my degrees and to concentrate on my professional development. It was not until I retired early in my 50s that I refocused on my art. I had worked with oil, acrylic and watercolor in the past, but when I discovered Chinese brush painting – sumi-e in Japanese – I was hooked. I was born and lived in Japan until I was 11. When I came to the US I had to learn English. My Japanese heritage is why Asian art speaks to my soul. I began painting a little more than 20 years ago and I have not stopped since then. I am also an ikebana (Japanese flower arrangement) artist and have a teaching certificate in the Sogetsu school of Ikebana.

Kay, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am 75 and am fully retired. Before my retirement I worked in Washington, DC, and my experience includes public policy research, public affairs, communications, management and administration for think tanks with focus on  analyses on climate change, natural resources and urban policy. I now live my artistic side.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My professional life has been an intellectual and communication journey. My creative journey has been to explore and expand the spiritual side of being an artist and not just to develop my artistic proficiency. Art has always been in my central core, yet I do not regret my choice of focusing on my profession first. I consider myself fortunate to be able to focus on my artistic essence now.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I have a Master’s degree from the School of Advanced International Studies of The Johns Hopkins University. Most of my career had been on my intellectual aspects and not on the creative side. Life offers us a journey that can be or not be our choice or expectations. It is up to each of us to make the most of what is before us. I do not regret my choice to wait until my retirement before living my artistic life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: eastgreetswest
• Facebook: Kay Storck

Image Credits
Photo take by me, Kay Storck via my iPhone