We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful McKenzie Kapsner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with McKenzie below.

McKenzie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents were very hard working people. They instilled in me a strong work ethic and a strength and resilience to work hard and make things happen. When life got difficult I could get through whatever came my way. My father was a man who could talk to anyone. He loved meeting new people and getting together with friends and family. He was a big teddy bear kind of person, he had your back and a big hug to make you feel better. He always made time for you and was a great listener. My father was a salesman throughout his career and went into life not afraid to try new things and challenge himself to make his life the best it could be. He was confident in his ability to learn on the job and make the most of every situation. When you walked into a place with my dad, his energy drew the best out of people and put a smile on their face.

My mother is a creative, hard working woman. I have looked up to her in many ways. Her ability to be a leader in her work and life. When I was young I was always impressed with her go to attitude. Her drive to learn more and figure out how to do things for herself. Being the only female out of 7 kids, I feel having 6 brothers made her tough in many ways. She was a leader in her field of work, she worked with individuals with intellectual disability for 40 plus years where she was a strong leader and advocate.

My parents helped start a group home in the late 1970’s for intellectually disabled individuals. My older brother, myself and my parents lived with 6 individuals that needed assistance in their daily lives. This experience gave me great insight and empathy towards others who are looked at as different in our society. I learned amazing life skills at a very young age and made lifelong friendships with many people in the community.

My parents supported me and had my back throughout all my challenges and successes. They challenged me to do better and to find strength within when I was feeling lost.

When my father was diagnosed with cancer, I became his full time caretaker and health advocate. I was determined to do all I could do for my father. The strength that rose in me was from all the life experiences I had and what I learned along the way. Even in the scariest of times my father chose to find the positives in life. He showed his vulnerability and we were able to be there for each other.

I am very grateful that my parents listened when I wanted to participate in different art classes at a young age. They saw that art was important to me and made sure that I was able to attend different classes I was interested in. Having those experiences made a huge impact on my life and made me the person that I am today.

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 have been drawn to art and being creative ever since I was very young. I went to college for Studio Art with a focus in ceramics, photography, painting and jewelry. I was a single mom during college and after I graduated I needed to find a job that supported myself and my son. I had many jobs that supported my family over the years that I learned from and grew. After my second son was born I started to get back into my art again, being creative and being an artist is a calling I couldn’t ignore. So a few years ago I made the leap to listen to my body and get back to my creative side and start to sell my goods. Over the years I have been creating art in many forms but never thought about starting my own business selling my art. I started to work with natural resources that came from the beaches of Lake Superior. I love the idea of reusing and repurposing when possible. I have so much love and respect for Lake Superior and all that she gives us.

I draw inspiration from the majestic beauty of Lake Superior and the nurturing embrace of Mother Earth. My handcrafted earrings from driftwood, carry the whispers of the lake’s timeless tales. Each piece of glassware is a canvas for the vibrant hues of Lake Superior, meticulously hand-painted to capture the essence of its ever-changing moods.

My art is more than a creation; it’s a celebration of the intricate dance between the elements and my creative spirit. I believe in the profound connection between humanity and nature, and my work aims to bring a piece of that natural beauty into the lives of those who appreciate the Earth’s boundless artistry.

Every piece is a testament to the awe-inspiring wonders that surround us, inviting you to wear and cherish a piece of nature’s masterpiece.

I am so very grateful to live next to this natural resource that gives us life and enriches our lives in so many ways. Lake Superior’s wild and fierce beauty, juxtaposed with moments of calm serenity, serves as a profound inspiration. Its dynamic energy resonates vibrantly, reaching into the depths of my soul. I find myself irresistibly drawn to the life force that emanates from this majestic force of nature.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I enjoy meeting new people and spreading my love of Lake Superior and Mother Earth to others I meet. It brings me so much joy when I meet customers and they get excited to buy earrings made from Lake Superior driftwood. When customers tell me they can feel the energy of Lake Superior in my hand painted works, this brings a huge smile to my face. I have made amazing friends through this journey. I had the pleasure of meeting them first through my art and then forming great bonds over the years and lasting relationships. When I am at art shows I have had many experiences of people coming up to me and telling me their stories. I feel energized when I interact with people in the community through my art. I have gained recurring customers that follow me to my shows to see me and what new creations I have made. I love creating art, the expression and energy I put into my work makes my soul happy and I am so grateful to be doing what I love.

I love the idea that I am giving new life to driftwood in creating the earrings that I make. Sometimes I think if only the driftwood could tell us the journey it’s been on, oh the stories we would hear.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to cherish Mother Earth, our home. To respect and cherish this amazing planet we live on and all her beings. My mission is to create art that can be loved by many. I have a magnetic pull towards Lake Superior’s life force, she becomes a source of inspiration, a reminder of the interconnectedness between the natural world and my own being. It’s a dance with the elements, an acknowledgment of the wild beauty that surrounds us and the profound impact it can have on the human soul. I have a need to try and preserve our natural world as much as I can. Currently I give 2% of my sales to The Alliance for the Great Lakes. I’m a small business and it’s not a ton but it’s something and I believe we all can make a difference if we try.

Contact Info:

• Website: superiorcurrents.com – coming soon
• Instagram: @superiorcurrents
• Facebook: Superior Currents
• Other: I open my studio be customers that want to shop, these hours are flexible and I have my customers reach out to me if they want to come down and I post of social media when hours are open. I sell my works on social media and do a lot of art shows around the region. I am working on finishing up my website as well.

Image Credits
I took all the pictures myself.