sM | What were you able to accomplish in your residency?

KM ── Live painting with a crowd was a new experience for me and, it honestly gave me anxiety for the first couple of days, but after adapting to the situation, the people became a new source of inspiration for me. It’s been exhilarating to see people’s reactions to my work in real-time, to share the process of what I’m doing and have them enjoy seeing the transformation as the piece gets finished. It’s helped grant me a new perspective and freedom with my work! Dedicating this consistent time to creation and painting has shown me so much more of what I’m capable of and unlocked a greater vision for where I want to take my career as an artist.

sM | What inspiration do you get from artists around you?

KM ── I am constantly soaking in inspiration from artists around me. Some artists from the past — like van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas — but also contemporary artists that I find in some of my favourite galleries or on Instagram. I adore watching people’s processes and appreciating how different and unique our styles are. It’s beautiful how a dozen people can paint the same thing and you’ll get a dozen different expressions every time.

sM | How has the pandemic transformed your mission as an artist, and priorities as a creative?

KM ── The pandemic obviously forced change and a massive slow-down for most people, which in some ways dampened creativity and inspiration; however, it also allowed for a deeper awareness and stillness that opened the door for new ideas to come in. I actually used this time over the past couple of years to dive in and create more. It opened up a desire and commitment within me to take less unnecessary middle steps in my life and really begin creating at the level I want to be at now. Art cultivates connection, showcases beauty (which is subjective), discusses ideas, communicates meaning and reveals part of the human spirit in every brushstroke.