Meet Keith Maddy

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Keith Maddy a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keith, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.

I believe Imposter syndrome is a familiar feeling for people in all professions and realms of life. For me it is a long process of sticking true to my own unique voice and believing in it. Embracing it and nurturing it, like a child, even when it was/is confusing or unruly. Staying committed and focused and not distracted by the perceived success of others. Instead, learning to admire, appreciate and learn from colleagues and peers. By doing this I’ve learned that there is a reciprocal curiosity and support that is generated, direct and indirect, and invaluable to my own confidence.

Over the years, any self doubt I may have had regarding my abilities and accomplishments diminish as my work matures with me. Pursuing opportunities, working through challenges and seeing “failures” as learning experiences and growth is like working out, not always easy but strength building, body and mind. Staying committed and focused one will see results. Recognizing others for their hard work will build community, support and repore.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

What I am most proud of is that I have created a life for myself balancing 2 careers that I love, massage therapy and art. There is a companionship of healing and joy in both careers that impact so many people in a positive way, through touch and creativity, To support myself and my art I became a licensed massage therapist in 2011 and
worked at one spa for 10 years developing my own signature style and following. After covid I opened my own solo practice that has given me the freedom and flexibility to amend my schedule as needed allowing me more time than ever to be in my art studio nurturing that career. As a result, my art has been evolving professionally, gaining further recognition locally and abroad.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts w/distinction from the Massachusetts College of Art & Design in 1994 I have never lost site of my creative voice and artistic pursuit. I am grateful for this balance in my life as I know many artists struggle to find time, space and finances to pursue and develop their art career.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Kindness, patience and perseverance. Patience and perseverance go hand in hand. Nothing happens overnight. Like a garden, one needs to plant a seed(s) and then nurture it to full fruition… watering it, weeding it, pruning it, admiring it and enjoying the process as you go delighting in new growth, buds and fruit.

Kindness is not only a good thing for others but also one self. It elicits joy and a joyful journey makes patience and perseverance that much easier.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

Previously I mentioned being grateful for the current balance and love I have for my two careers. That creation enabled me to be more of a professional artist, about 1/2 time. My ultimate goal and challenge would have me living and surviving as a full time artist. This is a great challenge, mostly a financial one. One that takes a lot of time and perseverance and one that many artists never achieve given the expenses of daily living, rents, family expenses, health care etc. My current balance of careers is working successfully and could be part of the foundation and/or stepping stone to get to the next level of full artistic independence.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Julia Featheringill
Stewart Clements

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