Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kourtney McConville. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kourtney , thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?
The world is full of learning opportunities if you’re open to them! Today, I gain inspiration and learn from a multitude of sources across several platforms, but I’d say my love and yearning for creativity has been a constant throughout my whole life. I grew up in between corn fields outside a town of 300 people, so using my imagination to steer myself from monotony was a crucial learned tool. I graduated from the University of Nebraska with a studio art degree in 2018, but choosing one medium to focus on seemed like a missed opportunity, so I studied them all! From welding, screen printing, photography, ceramics…I had a strong desire to understand it all. Like most creatives experience, entering the real world out of college is a bit of a culture shock. You feel your childlike imagination start to slip away with every structured 40 hour work week and the inevitable distractions. In an attempt to merge out of auto-pilot, I challenged myself to keep my creative muscles alive. I started a business I now call “Tourty” where I create whatever my spirit is feeling! I enjoy the time, the meditation, and the self discovery that comes with every new skill learned. The time it takes to teach yourself something new can be looked at as an inconvenience, but this is actually my favorite part! It’s the ah-ha moment that feels like you’ve unlocked a superpower you didn’t know you had or were capable of. Like a bad case of ADHD, it’s right to the next medium for me! It definitely requires a sense of patience, vision, and ambition, but I’d say my biggest obstacle always seems to be funding – I spend every penny I can on art supplies! But hopefully it just continues to build and grow.
Kourtney , 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’m a 29 year old creative living in the great state of Nebraska! I own a business called “Tourty” (my nickname from my 5 sisters growing up) where I create and make till my hearts content. For years I struggled going back and forth between what my “brand” would be……jewelry? Art prints? Clothing? Ceramics? And what are my brand colors? My fonts? My logo? My style?….but every time I thought I found my niche, I ended up feeling stuck. Im a die-hard lover of entrepreneurship, and study the paths and tools of successful businesses often. Probably the most important common denominator between those that succeed and those that don’t, is strong brand presence. Despite the facts shown in front of me, it took me a few years to realize that Ive always been drawn the the path less traveled and that I don’t care to follow the standard business model. I simply want to create! And from the heart. My goal through Tourty is to feel fulfilled through what I make and to naturally follow what I’m lead to without limiting myself. I feel a great shift of makers & doers, following and creating their own path that feels right for them – and the great diversity couldn’t be more inspiring! If you naturally follow what you’re lead to, things that are meant for you will naturally flow in your favor. Without even realizing it, my brand has become THAT – a place for exploration, imagination, learning, and childlike wonder.
I feel like Im just getting started on this path, and the opportunities are endlessly exciting! I hope through what I make and do, I can inspire others to find their voice and use it without limitation. Forget the rules set before you, and just do what makes you feel whole. I currently offer art prints, postcards, pennants, and various handmade goods on my website www.thisistourty.com. I hope to continue to grow Tourty in ways I probably haven’t even dreamt of yet – but I promise the wheels are always turning.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Let’s face it, money sucks! And can get in the way of creating when you are starting a business. Not even 5 years ago, I was struggling pretty hard to make ends meet. After 4 months of being late on rent and getting eviction notices on my apartment door, I gathered materials from around my house in a panicked flurry to improvise a solution. I created a collection of beaded embroidery hoops with fabric from old shirts I never wore, beads from old necklaces, and cheap embroidery floss. I opened an Etsy shop and nearly sold out to friends and family who were completely unaware of my situation. That months sales helped pay for my rent, and drive the future endeavors of Tourty. It was a valuable lesson to me just how important it is to never give up on your self or on your skills. If you’re in a pinch, don’t stress! Just think outside the box.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
Feeling seen! For most of my life, I have felt like an outsider. I have never quite known how to fit into groups or how to form connections with people. Social anxiety is something I struggle with daily. But my art is my safe space. It’s my outlet to put my guard down and be 100% me. When someone connects with my work or understands my vision, it’s like they’re saying “I like you and I appreciate your brain”. It’s the best, most validating feeling.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thisistourty.com
- Instagram: Thisistourty
- Facebook: Tourty