Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mary Kathryn Medlock . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Mary Kathryn , so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
The topic of “self love” is the central theme in all of my Street Art… and is absolutely the key to confidence and self-esteem. Learning to accept myself and root into healthy self-love was a subject I dedicated alot of time to, mostly because I was longing to change some of my life patterns of self-doubt, sabotage, feelings of unworthiness, and just general poor choices based on my lack of respect for myself, which unfortunately really seems to be part of the human condition of experiencing this life.
In response to my desire to create a life more aligned to my hearts wishes, I poured myself into pretty much every new age avenue of learning to love myself, hiring life coaches, intense mediation retreats, life coaches. taking ayahuasca ceremonies in the jungles of Costa Rica. The journey of all that self-discovery was incredible… do I recommend those specific avenues to choose for learning to love yourself?? lol..everyone has their own path to walk, but those were the methods that took me further into a deep relationship with healthy, unconditional self-acceptance for who I am, which helps tremendously in having confidence to put myself out there in world as an Artist, relying on validating myself, putting my creativity before concerns of what others think, and just generally going for the things I want in this life from a place of knowing that I am deserving of it.
I hope any time someone sees my “love yourself” street art they can take away their own personal message of what that means to them and how they can achieve love and respect for themselves.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a former fashion retail professional turned Artist, working out of a studio based in Bushwick, Brooklyn.
I focus on creating in multiple disciplines with my favorites being screen print, encaustic wax, digital designs, and textile designs.
I use different methods because I love the process part of creating. The process has a very emotional feel to me and sometimes can be as important to me as the finished product. I do alot of experimenting, and I don’t mind when the technique is quite physical and ruins my manicure or feels like a day at the gym..lol. The more I get into it heart, body and soul the better.
I sell prints, paintings, and textiles for home. My art is most recognized by my vibrant color palettes (especially pink) themes of self-love, flowers and plants, and my own portrait in different feminine iconic archetypes.
My name is Mary Kathryn Medlock, my friends call me “MK” and all of my art can be seen signed, LOVEMKM in my signature hot pink logo… and no matter what medium I’m working in, it’s all a part of the LOVEKMKM collection.
I have had three solo shows as well as multiple group art shows throughout Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn. My print work has been purchased by NBC Universal for use in a television set design, and my “love yourself’ street art paste ups can be spotted all over the world.
Coming up in Spring 2024 I’ll be installing a new large scale digital design, at the Washington Walls mural project, in Prospect Heights Brooklyn.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Trust, Courage and Resilience. This thing called life gives us so many chances to become resilient, to turn lemons to lemonade… looking at the glass half full is a form of creation in its own right, practice bouncing back with positivity. It takes courage to walk your own path your own way, but your way is worth it, trust you have what it takes to reach your goals. Self-Acceptance is the absolute key. I often describe learning to love yourself in this way, Just imagine all the positive things you say about others, all the love and respect and adoration you pour into someone you have a crush on, a celebrity or athlete, a mentor you respect, give that love you give to others to yourself. What you respect in them, you can respect and acknowledge in yourself, that’s such a great start to a positive self love practice that will take you very far in creating the life you want.
What is the number one obstacle or challenge you are currently facing and what are you doing to try to resolve or overcome this challenge?
I’ve been struggling with creative inspiration lately.. this is a totally normal part of being an artist, so I don’t give myself a hard time about it, I just focus on getting to my studio, and creating something. I am so lucky to have over the years collected so many paints and brushes and tools to create with and I do love playing with them without any thought and pressure of what’s going to come from it.. and I’m sure one day soon inspiration is going to strike!
Contact Info:
- Website: lovemkm.com
- Instagram: lovemkm
- Facebook: lovemkm
- Linkedin: Mary Kathryn Medlock
- Youtube: Mary Kathryn Medlock
