We were lucky to catch up with Alyssa Kate recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alyssa, thrilled to have you on the platform as I think our readers can really benefit from your insights and experiences. In particular, we’d love to hear about how you think about burnout, avoiding or overcoming burnout, etc.
I have always found joy in putting my heart and soul my projects and endeavors. I take pride in my work ethic and my ability to “get shit done”, but it wasn’t until about 3 years into my journey as an artist that I had to take a step back and reevaluate my approach.
Technically, I’ve always been an artist., I’ve been painting since I was 3, had an Etsy Shop after college and participated in various creative outlets, but these experiences as a hobby artist could have never prepared me for the demands of being a full-time creative.
When I decided to take the leap and pursue art professionally, naturally, I carried my work ethic with me. It worked at first, I was busier than ever and business was moving fast, but it eventually led me to a hard lesson. That lesson being; the “work hard at all costs” approach isn’t sustainable. This realization didn’t happen over night, the feeling of pure creative freedom and excitement, left me blinded to the shift that was soon approaching. I was on cloud 9.
What an incredible opportunity I was living. I wanted to spend every waking moment doing what I loved. Who wouldn’t? My hobby was now a career and I was unstoppable. But that was the problem. I needed to stop. I needed to create space apart from my business, I needed to take time off, I needed boundaries and schedules.
Giving up wasn’t even on my radar, but something needed to change, three years in and I was losing steam. So I asked myself the hard questions and put some plans in place.
I created a morning routine, not one to live and die by, but one that created structure and set me up for success each day. No more paint studio in my PJ,s before eating breakfast. No more 16 hour days without going on a walk outside. I created time for other hobbies, and leaned into other interests, like learning about house plants, cooking, and spending time in the gym again. I created balance. Balance that allowed my creativity to be energizing and not draining.
I acknowledge that my relentless drive at the beginning stages of my business played a role in my initial growth, but it didn’t come without a price. I am still striving to create balance in my life. I truly believe it is a constant learning curve for entrepreneurs of all kinds. Knowing when to “clock out” of to the studio or office each day is much harder when you don’t have anyone telling you to, especially when you love what you do.
Nearly a year ago I was teetering the line of burnout, slowly feeling the daily demands taking the wind out of my sails, but deep down I knew this is what I was meant to do. Art is my passion, and I feel so strongly about sharing the joy that art brings me with the world. Grateful to still be doing what I love, I just needed to make some minor adjustments that ultimately impacted me in a major way, and I am so glad I did.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I have been a professional artist for a little over 4 years now and I have two sides to my art business; abstract paintings and handmade earrings. I live just outside Nashville, TN and work from my two in home studios.
Although my paintings and earrings are both colorful and unique, they each have a very different artistic approach. One is fluid and free; throwing paint and experimenting with texture, while the other is tedious and precise; leaving very little room for error. I enjoy the contrast of the two. Going back and forth between painting and earring making presents fun challenges and perspectives to bring into each practice.
Painting: I specialize in large scale custom paintings for personal and commercial spaces, as well as small scale paintings available for sale on my website. I have collaborated with a fitness headband company and I am currently working on a commission for a wine label. My paintings are often exploding with color and dynamic shapes, leaving each piece unique and open to interpretation. My process is very “in the moment” and fueled by emotion and corresponding colors. Painting in my studio is truly a therapeutic process I will forever be grateful to experience. It pushes me in ways I never knew I needed and encourages me to approach life with fearlessness. Painting is truly a teacher.
Earrings: My earrings began as a hobby nearly a decade ago, when I was living in Alaska. I wanted earrings to coordinate with my newfound adventurous lifestyle and my pearl and diamond studs weren’t exactly ideal. I began making myself colorful earrings from clay which led me to open an Etsy shop and eventually a full-time business with my own website years later. My earrings are now, fully hypoallergenic, coated in UV resin and truly one-of-a kind. I never repeat a multicolored design, which gaurentees each customer a one-of-a-kind piece of artwork for their ears! You can visit my Instagram (@alyssakatedesigns) each week to help name my earrings before they are released! It has been a crazy journey seeing my earrings evolve and grow into such a exciting and rewarding business and it has led me to meet so many amazing people along the way!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Pursuing my career in art has taught me many lessons. Many of which I’m still reminding myself of daily. First and foremost you have to believe in yourself. Imposter Syndrome is real, it is a constant battle to quiet the voice of doubt, but always remember, you are bigger than your biggest fears.
Secondly, I would accept and acknowledge that turning a dream into a reality doesn’t happen overnight. Big things take time, and that’s okay. Don’t let one negative experience, or art show decline dampen your spirit. More opportunities are around every corner, but you have to let yourself turn the corner first….
Lastly, slow consistency is key. You can’t pursue a dream if you are burnt out, so be kind to yourself, take breaks, balance your personal life and know that pursuing your dream doesn’t have a finish line, so embrace the journey.
Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
I leave my studio. Haha, all jokes aside, I have found that stepping out of my space, although challenging, is the best practice when I feel overwhelmed. Going for a walk, making a snack, a quick change of scenery can do wonders for a creative rut or when you feel overwhelmed. If your overwhelm extends beyond a day in the studio or office, I have found that check lists and prioritizing tasks helps lower the mental load and allows your brain to breathe and tackle each task one checkmark at a time.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alyssakatedesigns.com
- Instagram: @alyssakatedesigns
- Facebook: @alyssakatedesigns
- Other: Email: Alyssakatedesigns@gmail.com
