We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kirstin Schumm a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kirstin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?

Extremely. It took me a long time to get to the point of realizing that this is what I wanted to pursue. I knew that I wouldn’t be satisfied in a “normal” job.

A normal job is not something that I ever wonder about or would wish for again.

Kirstin, 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 an artist who started drawing and painting when I was about four or five years old. I also work in graphic design and artwork framing. Working with my hands is a must for me.

It started by influence from my grandfather who was also an artist and a machinist. When I couldn’t sleep he would hand me a pencil and paper and put any household item in front of me.
I.e. a mug, spoon, glass.
Without any other instruction, he would just say, “Draw.”
It came naturally to me. I was very lucky.

I’d had no formal training except for a couple art classes in high school.
By Senior year, I was the President of the National Art Honor Society.
Art has been an everyday part of my life ever since.

I paint for myself, and for others who enjoy it.
I find it cathartic and it helps balance my energy and mood.
Any day in the studio or at work is a good day.

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

I think some of the best ways to support artists and creatives is to have art in schools and school programs like STEAM instead of STEM. It’s incredibly important. Yes, in math 2+2 will always equal 4. However, without creative thinking we won’t be able to come up with innovative solutions and out of the box thinking that will propel us forward. Society needs to look at art as a necessity instead of a frivolity. It is an essential and crucial part of humanity.

From the moment we wake up, until the moment we go to bed, we’re surrounded by art and design that shapes our day.
Without the ingenious thinking and inventive ideas/solutions that went into these things, our world wouldn’t function and it would be far more anemic.

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

My first Bachelor’s degree was in Equine Science and Training. I’ve been an equestrian since I was about five years old, so it seemed only natural to work with horses as a career. After going for further training for Equine Dentistry and many years of apprenticing, I came to the realization that I should’ve listened to all those wise horse women. I should’ve kept horses as my passion and hobby and not as an everyday job. I started to lament waking up and my body was becoming exhausted.

With the help and guidance of my amazing family, I returned to school at the Academy of Art University. I also started working at a framing shop in Princeton, NJ while going to school. Little did I know these two things would be my saving grace. It was a rigorous program, at the Academy, and it wasn’t until after my graduation that I had a perspective of just how much I had grown, not only as an artist and designer but also my confidence. I feel like confidence comes from knowing what you’re doing and being able to fix your own mistakes. Having a boss that I consider a mentor and a friend has given me an invaluable set of tools that I never take for granted and hope to pass on.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kcsportfolio.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kcs_artworks?igsh=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kirstin-schumm-83487465

Image Credits
Kirstin Schumm – Approved