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

Kyla, appreciate you joining us today. What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

I remember playing “Store” when I was a little girl. I’d literally set up my room as a store for my parents to come shop ! Everything was labeled with a price, the Fisher Price cash register was out, and quality customer service was given !

If anyone asks, i’ll tell them that my father inspired my career in art. During my High-School Freshman open house I was convinced that I was not going to take any art related electives. My father said “Go into the Art Room and see what’s in there”, annoyed and disgruntled I walked in, and my life has never been the same. I was greeted by a creative space that felt like home. The Art room is where I learned who I was and who I wanted to become.

When I was younger my parents surrounded me by fun educational materials; books, cash registers, posters, chalkboards, instruments and lets not forget the coloring books. The chalkboard easel was an essential piece of furniture in our basement, my parents would sit on the couch and allow me to teach and quiz them on the information I learned during school. I would spend a lot of my time teaching “imaginary students,” taking my time to lay out all of my books and put each of my “students” names inside. I’d go around to each book and read a page one-at-a-time until each student was finished reading the book.

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

I’m Kyla Elizabeth, Visual Artist and Designer, born and based in Winston-Salem, NC. I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember, but I didn’t know it. I didn’t understand what it meant to be an Artist. I didn’t understand that I had the power to heal my negative emotions by expressing them through creating. I graduated from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University with a degree in Visual Arts & Media Design. I’ve had the opportunity to work within my career field since 2016 while working at The African American Atelier, Inc. as a teacher, art director and youth program director. Shortly after my 4 years working with the non-profit organization, I started working for Guilford County Schools as an Art Teacher. Currently I am a Full-Time Artist using my creativity and talent independently.

​My work is inspired by my dynamic, consistent eerie and positive thoughts. As an Artist i’ve learned in order to create I have to destroy and recreate. Many of my pieces are recycled segments from older pieces, scraps, and sketchbooks. I am drawn to contrasting colors, shapes, lines and textures. In order to create texture and depth, I incorporate torn book paper, documents, and sketches in majority of my works. I use continuous circles to symbolize the existence of ancestors contributing to my creative practice. I truly believe that my ancestors guide me through my creative process, allowing. me to explore various ideas and mediums. Each stroke of paint or stitch of thread is a binding connection between my ancestors and myself.

​Currently I am working on two series “By Needle and Thread” and “ Surreal Dreams”. “By Needle and Thread” is a series of Mixed Media artworks created by arranging color, form and texture. This series is used to create open discussions of emotions triggered by the use of color. “Surreal Dreams” is a collection of personal dreams. Since a child i’ve had continuous surreal dreams that imprints vivid compositions that may last throughout the day. Most of my dreams are eerie and confusing, and this series is allows me to unpack and process my dreams. It also allows the viewer an opportunity to experience my dream world.

I most recently became an artist at Art for Art’s Sake located Downtown Winston-Salem where I work directly from my studio. The studio is open during First Friday, Special Events and by Appointment only. If you are interested in visiting my studio please visit my website to join my email list or send an email.

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

Like most of us, my entire life pivoted in 2020. After finishing my first year of teaching High-School Art, experiencing instructing online art classes, and being enrolled in a rigorous online teaching accreditation program I spent my entire summer preparing for the “New Normal ” as a teacher. As I prepared for my career, my mental health prepared to reach the end of the road. My mental health did not allow me to continue teaching Visual Art, and I was devastated. Feelings of hopelessness overcame me for 360 days, I didn’t understand who I was, I didn’t create, didn’t think about any creative ideas, and was not interested in learning about art anymore. I was sure that my career in art was over. August 2021, is when I came back from my “Creativity Fast”. I was alive again, and ready to create something, anything and everything. It was almost like an alarm went off telling me that it was time to find Kyla again. After seeing the over pouring love and support from my family, Kyla Eliza Fine Arts and Design was ready to begin participating in Vendor Markets and Art Exhibitions. Without experiencing this pivotal moment in life my career as a full-time artist would not exist.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

My SANITY is the most rewarding aspect of being an artist. Have you ever needed a way to express yourself without feeling insecure ? Creating art has been the most rewarding aspect of my life it has allowed me to learn about myself, explore memories, explore my future, teach and inspire others. There have been times in my life were i’ve reached the lowest point, and didn’t see a way out. Turning to art and focusing my mind on creative endeavors has always found a way to bring light back into my life. I would consider myself as an introvert, and art has allowed me to inspire while being silent. People seem to gravitate to me through my artwork, and without it i’m not sure if I would have a social life. Throughout the years art has kept me employed throughout college and after. Being a artists has awarded me in so many ways; physically and emotionally without creativity I would not know where to begin. I’m truly honored to be supported by my family, friends and the people i’ve been meeting in response to my creativity.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kylaeliza.com
• Instagram: @artbykylaeliza
• Facebook: @kylaelizaarts
• Other: Tik Tok: Kylaelizaarts