Mary Kathryn Medlock of Brooklyn on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We recently had the chance to connect with Mary Kathryn Medlock and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Mary Kathryn, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is a normal day like for you right now?
I cannot start the day without going to the gym. My health and fitness is such a priority for me… it’s with deep gratitude that I have time to make this a priority.
After the gym it’s coffee, breakfast and then off to my studio!!!
Even if I’m not making a significant piece of Art it’s important to practice and stay in the groove .. and I love spending my time creatively!
I always wind down my day with a yummy dinner in home or out with friends.. and let’s just honest.. Netflix and good 8 hours .. golden!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! My name is Mary Kathryn Medlock.

I make art under the name LOVEMKM.. it’s means from Mary Kathryn Medlock, with love.

I work in multiple mediums.. acrylics, screenprinting, textile design and even graffiti!

I utilize my own portrait a lot in my work.. and every Art I make is super femme, girly, and pink!!!

I’ve been making Art for 15 years now, and my work always evolves in ways I could never predict!

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who taught you the most about work?
I’d have to say my Mother and my Father. Even though they didn’t make their marriage work .. they taught me so so much about discipline, self- reliance, and the benefits of achieving your goals.
There’s absolutely no way I would’ve made it all the way from Arkansas to becoming a career woman in NYC without the values they both taught me.
My Father a super successful entrepreneur, who built something from nothing.. leaving behind a beautiful legacy.. and My Mother raising her children up right while maintaining her valued career as a teacher.. they both inspired me so much!

What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
Wow this is a really vulnerable moment for me..
but I’d have to say Self-Worth…
It took me well into my 30’s to understand ways in which I was conducting myself and allowing others to treat me that did not reflect back a healthy self-esteem.. and I wanted to heal that.
I utilized creativity .. and I started making graffiti posters with a portrait of myself that said “love yourself”
It was a super public and super spiritual way of me recognizing I was struggling and it became something that I was known for with my Art.
Now I’m in my late 40’s and even though I think complete healing is not even the goal, I’m much more grounded in my worthiness and self-love.
We all deserve so much. We are loved and lovable.
And I’m still making graffiti that says “love yourself” !!!

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Authenticity and Freedom!
Okay being authentic in a world of social media presence is kinda impossible.. lol.. we all want to digitally represent ourselves in our best life, Yes.
But real talk, authenticity is something I value and I’m attracted to in others.
Freedom to unapologetically be yourself, for better or worse.
Being authentically you can keep your friendship circle small … but the ones there, are real.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
I would absolutely 100% stop negative self -talk, negative views about the current state of the world… I end any type of dread I faced at the mundane chores of life.
I’d try, if humanly possible, to live everyday with immense gratitude and revel in the absolute splendor of being human on this planet earth in this thing we call life.
Also I’d travel everywhere, and love and be loved.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lovemkm.com
• Instagram: @lovemkm