We were lucky to catch up with Kimberly King recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kimberly , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I moved to Goergia in 2016. No job. No plan but I was painting everyday and making money from it here and there. Finally found a job working at the post office and that lasted for 5 years and 1 month. On November 23, 2021, the day before my 35th birthday, I decided to put in my two weeks and never looked back.

I’ve been tired of my job or just working for anyone in general because I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. I was tired of hearing how talented I was while wasting my time at a job I hated. I knew I wanted to take advantage of my full day with art and creating. So, I made that decision. It took years to really say, “I deserve this for myself”. I wanted to be happy and although I had a great paying job, great benefits, I wasn’t happy. Being in a toxic , backstabbing environment wasn’t worth my peace. And I realized that and stepped out on faith.

I’m now a full time Artist. Doing pretty good for a first timer. I have more time to complete commissions, work on my own personal works and participate in art and craft shows. It’s a great feeling to come and go as I please and not have to answer to a boss. I love what I do. And although quitting a job was a huge risk and sacrifice I was willing to take to enjoy what I love doing. I was given this gift for a reason and I wasn’t going to waste it at a job that doesn’t care about my well being. Excited to see what’s up next for me and my art career.

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

I’m an all around creative being. I started drawing around 9 or 10 years old. Sketching cartoons and anime characters. Later in high school I was apart of AP Art programs learning to paint and practicing other mediums. We also dappled in photoshop as well. Later in my artistic journey, I began to start an LLC, started building clients, painting more portraits and designing logos and tattoos. Fast forward to 2022, business is still growing and I’m now customizing tshirts, bags, wallets, shoes and hats. And I also braid hair and style locs. I can also sew but I’m going to get into designing clothing once I make time to. Aaaaand I customize wooden furniture, like tables, trays and frames. I love painting flower pots and anything I can get my hands on that needs some color. I just love to create all across the board. Anything that I’m interested in I want part of the creating process.

Although I’m blessed to be talented in all of these categories, running the actual business is challenging. Definitely need discipline, consistency and focus. Keeping up with paperwork, client information, and my inventory is a hassle but much needed. If I were only painting art it would be a bit easier but I literally have a retail online shop now so keeping up with what I create is important. But I love every aspect of being an entrepreneur and I wouldn’t change anything.

I’m most definitely proud of my persistence. I see many creatives give up and never return to their art. I’ve had my moments but I’ve always bounced back. And that’s most important to me. Staying motivated and never giving up on my dreams and ambitions. Just because my life as an Artist isn’t where I feel it should be doesn’t mean I’m not going to get there. And that’s the part of the journey I love the most. The actual process, the worry, the joy, frustration and the creations made through all of it. I’m happy and blessed. And I know with all my hard work comes great rewards.
Lastly, I truly appreciate my friends, family and my online family for sticking with me. Supporting me. Sharing my work. Recommending me to others. And overall keeping my love for art alive.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is the fact that I can say, “I did that”. I taught myself how to create this. This is my style. This is how I view the world. Being able to even draw at a young age and to not have had schooling for it is in itself a great feeling. Being able to replicate what I see and put it on paper, or a canvas is amazing. I love who I am and the talent that comes with it. And that alone is the most rewarding feeling as a human being.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Well just working a job with the talent I have definitely helped me to pivot or make a shift in my art career. Even if the job wasn’t all bad I knew starting a business with what I was good at created another source of income. I think in today’s society with inflation at an all time high, multiple sources of income is the ultimate move these days. I believe, if you are good at something, why not make money from it? All you need is a service or product that people will buy and get to work. But overall I feel that a job will pay you enough to keep you coming back. Why not start a side hustle(s) to create income that you can control. And working at my last job really took me to that point where I deserve better for myself.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nerdydopeartist.com
• Instagram: Https://www.instagram.com/nerdydopeartist
• Facebook: Https://www.facebook.com/nerdydopeartist
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCaUk5CvCIwow9a-Q_zFRcOA
• Other: Linktree: Linktr.ee/nerdydopeartist