Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kris Knight. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Kris, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
Creativity has always been a really important part of my life as far as I can remember. I spent the first decade of my life with my grandma, who saw my artistic talent at a young age and encouraged me to pursue it. To this day, she still reminds me when we talk on the phone, to never give up on my art. Without her encouragement, I really don’t know what direction I would have gone with.
How do I keep my creativity alive? I have a variety of hobbies that rely on creativity. Digital Art is my go-to, though I also paint, crochet, and do photography. Each of those hobbies expand into different facets, or subcategories, so I always have a range of things to feed my creativity. When I’m not feeling satisfied with one piece or medium, I switch it up and work on something else until that spark of creativity for the last piece comes back. Sometimes it doesn’t, and that’s okay. Even if I don’t complete a piece it is a learning and growing experience in the process.
When I’m in a complete creative block, I usually find inspiration by other artists on instagram. The explore tab is a great place to discover new ideas, and if you’re an avid crafter – or artist – like me, you know your explore tab is full of DIY’s, tutorials and wonderful art pieces. Sometimes just a shape, word, or color palette will give me that spark and the rest usually flows naturally.
The challenges that I face the most with creativity is perfectionism and self-criticism. I’m pretty sure all of my sketch books from my childhood – and there were a lot of them – were filled with unfinished drawings and ideas. I started so many clay projects, and abandoned every single one of them. Interestingly, I actually failed art class my last year of middle school because I very rarely finished anything they required or assigned me. I used to get so frustrated that I couldn’t get every line or gradient shading perfect.
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?
Hi, my name is Kris and I’m an Artist and mental health activist, and I own Mymentalpalette.com. Over the last two years I’ve really been focused on improving my mental health, and art has been a pivotal part of that. I have been in therapy for most of my life, and though I was a young artist, I hated the idea of art therapy. Ironically, art has become my voice, allowing me to express my emotions and thoughts in ways that words cannot describe. When I am struggling and unable to connect with people, I can connect with art. I think a lot of people could benefit from art therapy if they gave it a couple chances. It won’t take away the hurt or struggle, but it may allow you to express yourself and channel that hurt in a healthy way. Plus, you may even find a new hobby.
As for what I’m focused on: Right now, I’m working on just building connections with vendors, newspapers/radios, other artist and members of the community, though I have many ideas that I want to incorporate, I just don’t think it’s the time right now. My goal when I started Mymentalpalette was to spread awareness of mental health, resources, general information, statistics, and the benefits art and creativity has on the mind. “My Mental Palette” basically meant to me, my palette in art, but also, my palette of mental health. Being an artist I also strive to have my art in peoples homes, and maybe I’m shooting for the stars, but I really want to get my stuff out there. I struggled for a long time to even finish an art piece, and now that I feel like I’ve found my style and my purpose, I want to share that with as many people as I can.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Try to not beat yourself up, if the end goal is not how you planned. If you really dislike what you’ve created, learn from it and try something different. That medium or style just may not be for you; that doesn’t mean you are a bad artist. I think it is really important to have the ability to let your creativity flow. I rarely design something in my head and make that design happen – or maybe I just have a poor imagination and ability to transfer it to paper – because I really try to not hold myself to any restraints or “rules.” I wanted to design tattoos, but I was always criticizing my lines and proportions which led me frustrated because I had this idea in my head and I couldn’t get it out how I was seeing it. My art style is completely different now, and I think I feel so content with my pieces because I’m not going in with any expectations. That is my personal ideal, though there are many, many amazing artists out there who have the ability to envision something and sketch/paint it out – I am just not one of them.
My best advice… Get connected, stay compassionate, and lift up other artist; we are not competition we are a community.
Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?
I would really appreciate any opportunity to have my art displayed, in a temporary or long term location; and I have never collaborated with an artist, though I think it would be a lot of fun! If you have an idea and think we could partner together in some way, feel free to contact me. The best way to get ahold of me would be Email (mymentalpalette@gmail.com), or Instagram (@mymentalpalette). I’m a shy and awkward lil bean in person, just a heads up. 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Mymentalpalette.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymentalpalette/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymentalpalette
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