We were lucky to catch up with Kirby Wade recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Kirby, we’re so appreciative of you taking the time to share your nuggets of wisdom with our community. One of the topics we think is most important for folks looking to level up their lives is building up their self-confidence and self-esteem. Can you share how you developed your confidence?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through practice. Practice of putting my work out there for people to see. Noticing how it affected them or what they may have to say about it and realizing I don’t care what people think about my art. I never began making art for the “fame” or it. I began making art because it brings me joy, exercises my mind, challenges me and enters me into a meditative state. So, once I realized I didn’t need or want approval from others,I gave myself the freedom to create whatever weird thing is in my mind. I can present any work of art and it doesn’t matter if I thinks is a good piece of art or not. It will speak to those who it does and if I make a sale great! If not, so what. Life is too short to live by others perception of it.
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?
Last fall, 2023, I decided to take my art in a whole new direction. I am an artist of many mediums, painting, ink, digital collage, murals, photography and more. I, of course, would love to make money selling my art making space on the walls at home and to pay some bills ideally. I would vend various events with original artworks and prints and never sell a thing. So, I started watching what was selling at these events and it was small, practical and low cost items. I said to myself I can do that! This is when I brought to life Word of Mouth Co. Here I design limited edition bandannas and have them digitally printed on 100% cotton. And lo and behold I sell art now! People love that they are not traditional bandana designs and are actual works of art themselves. I am excited and proud to be doing something I believe in. My hope is Word of Mouth Co. becomes my bread and butter allowing me to make a living full time off my creativity.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Honestly, I wing everything I do with art. Even though I have to do all parts of the business I just make it up as I go and get “official” when I need to. It’s suppose to be fun even the parts I don’t like to do vey much. Such as the social media and marketing parts of the business. For those starting out I think you have to find a what no one else is doing and do that in your way to make it special.
Awesome, really appreciate you opening up with us today and before we close maybe you can share a book recommendation with us. Has there been a book that’s been impactful in your growth and development?
About 10 years ago I read The Artist Way book in a group setting. We would read a chapter each week and then gather to go over the exercises at the end of each chapter. This was a time in my life I didn’t identify as an artist and calling myself one was way to weird a feeling. I didn’t believe I was an artist, I just like to draw. This book really helped me break though any block and stories I was creating around why I wasn’t a “real” artist. Highly recommend this book to anyone struggling with creativity in anyway or believing a that you are good enough to be an artist.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WordofMouthCoDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1733945669&from_page=listing
- Instagram: @wordofmouthco
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