creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
Karina Myers
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Hello! I'm Karina; quiet, romantic, thoughtful, sentimental, very dramatic, but mostly on the inside, a dreamer, introverted, idealistic, empathetic, a bit moody, creative, a lover of beauty, an artistic soul. I’m 21-years-old, the second of 11 kids who are some of my best friends, and I live at home with my family in beautiful Northern Colorado. Flowers, watercolors, chocolate, cello music, and wide-open spaces are a few of my favorite things. One of the things I’m most passionate about is making other people feel seen, loved, and valuable. I also have a deep burden for the wounds and brokenness in all of us to find healing in Christ. I love people and I love Jesus, but the core of who I am, the part that matters most, is that I am beloved by Him. This is my identity, and it has nothing to do with me or what I do, and everything to do with Jesus, and who He is. My hope and prayer for each one of you reading this is that you will know that kind of love for yourself!
Instagram: @thosewhodreamco ; @puregrace_lettering
Facebook: @thosewhodreamco
Website: etsy.com/shop/thosewhodreamco
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @thosewhodreamco ; @puregrace_lettering
Facebook: @thosewhodreamco
Website: etsy.com/shop/thosewhodreamco
Email: [email protected]
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a very creative family, and took my first art class when I was about seven. I think that class was a big part of what sparked my interest in fine art, and gave me some practical skills and knowledge. Creating art always seemed like a natural part of life to me, but I think I had some idea that I had talent for it even then. I remember signing my age to some of my drawings because I thought they were pretty impressive for a seven-year-old! My family and friends have always been incredibly encouraging and supportive of my art, and it was through them that I finally realized that I truly do have a gift!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always wanted to! I used to set up a little “shop” in the basement or my bedroom and sell handmade cards, bookmarks, and all kinds of other little trinkets to my family for a few cents each. My sisters and I also grew up selling handmade items at home school craft fairs, garage sales, and fundraisers. When I was about 17, I set up an Instagram page to sell my art and raise money for a mission trip to Guatemala. I also did a few commissioned pieces for family members around this time. Opening an Etsy shop and selling my handiwork as a business has been the fulfillment of a long-held dream!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
One of the biggest challenges is dealing with my own self doubt and insecurity when sharing what I do. My art feels like such a part of me, that it can feel like a personal attack if someone doesn’t understand or value what I make. I’ve struggled with wondering if my art has meaning and value regardless of how impressive it is or if it makes money, and while I have come to believe that it absolutely does, I still get insecure and question myself! Another challenge is that when I tell people that I have an Etsy shop and I sell art, one of the next questions is almost always, “Is that going well; do you make a lot of sales?” It’s a perfectly natural question to ask, but it sometimes leaves me feeling like a bit of a failure if I haven’t been selling a lot, and because of this I often feel like I’m on the defense when explaining what I do.
I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember. I grew up in a very creative family, and took my first art class when I was about seven. I think that class was a big part of what sparked my interest in fine art, and gave me some practical skills and knowledge. Creating art always seemed like a natural part of life to me, but I think I had some idea that I had talent for it even then. I remember signing my age to some of my drawings because I thought they were pretty impressive for a seven-year-old! My family and friends have always been incredibly encouraging and supportive of my art, and it was through them that I finally realized that I truly do have a gift!
Did you ever think you’d be selling your art, or teaching art?
I always wanted to! I used to set up a little “shop” in the basement or my bedroom and sell handmade cards, bookmarks, and all kinds of other little trinkets to my family for a few cents each. My sisters and I also grew up selling handmade items at home school craft fairs, garage sales, and fundraisers. When I was about 17, I set up an Instagram page to sell my art and raise money for a mission trip to Guatemala. I also did a few commissioned pieces for family members around this time. Opening an Etsy shop and selling my handiwork as a business has been the fulfillment of a long-held dream!
What are some of the biggest challenges you have in explaining what you do to others who don't find themselves in a creative background or field? Like family/friends/strangers?
One of the biggest challenges is dealing with my own self doubt and insecurity when sharing what I do. My art feels like such a part of me, that it can feel like a personal attack if someone doesn’t understand or value what I make. I’ve struggled with wondering if my art has meaning and value regardless of how impressive it is or if it makes money, and while I have come to believe that it absolutely does, I still get insecure and question myself! Another challenge is that when I tell people that I have an Etsy shop and I sell art, one of the next questions is almost always, “Is that going well; do you make a lot of sales?” It’s a perfectly natural question to ask, but it sometimes leaves me feeling like a bit of a failure if I haven’t been selling a lot, and because of this I often feel like I’m on the defense when explaining what I do.
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
The Lord teaches me so much through creating art. There’s a quote by Francis Shaeffer that says, “Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God.” When we look at creation, it is obvious that God took great delight in making beautiful things, and adding so many tiny details and intricate patterns that we will never discover them all! I think that when we create just for the sheer joy of it, it is a reflection of the Creator, and an expression of a part of Himself that He has placed within us. I think that’s an incredible and beautiful thing.
One specific thing the Lord continually shows me through art is to trust the process. With almost every piece of art I create, there’s a point in the middle where it just looks terrible, and I start to wonder if I can actually carry out my vision and make it into something beautiful, but if I keep working, I always do! It usually looks a little different than I imagined, and it sometimes involves a lot of erasing or ripping out stitches, but it becomes beautiful in the end. As I am creating, the Lord has reminded me many times that I am also a work in progress. When things in my life look really messy, it’s because I’m in the middle of the process, and He’s not finished with me yet. Though my life often looks different than what I plan or expect, it will be beautiful. “He makes everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I have so many creative hobbies I can’t list them all here, though some (crocheting for instance) have gone unused for long periods of time. Besides drawing, painting, and hand-lettering, I do some jewelry making, photography, embroidery, sewing, and dance, to name a few! Dance is definitely a different form of art than the rest, because it is created through movement, rather than physical materials. For me, dance is also a way to express my emotions, and worship the Lord!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I’ve noticed that it’s so easy for me to get caught up in the pressure to create art as a product. Recently, I’ve felt God calling me to refocus on creating art that flows out of what He is speaking to me and the joy of creative experimentation. While I will definitely continue to sell art, I don’t want that to be the main focus! I want to create because I love it, and to encourage others!
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
Though I feel like I still have a lot of growing to do in this area, I believe it’s through being faithful with what I have, and trusting God to bless my efforts. A quote that I like says, “Pray like it’s all up to God and work like it’s all up to you.” It is God who gives me every opportunity and blesses the work of my hands, but I must do my part to steward the creative gift He’s given me by continuing to use it and improve my skills. Going forward, I do plan to continue selling art in my Etsy shop, and I have lots of exciting ideas for possible new products. I also have a few custom projects for friends that are different from anything I’ve done before. I’d love to get my own website set up at some point but I haven’t quite figured that out. Aside from that, I’m just going to keep creating and see where God takes me!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I know the business side of things is the hardest for most creatives, and it’s no different for me! The biggest piece of advice I can give is just be willing to learn. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and use a different part of your brain than normal. Start researching, observing others who are successful in the creative business world, and trying new things to see what works! If you use Etsy, follow them on Instagram, as they sometimes do live videos to critique listings and give tips on how to make them better. I’ve found these to be really helpful!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Don’t compare your creative journey to others’. While it’s amazing to be able to watch and learn from other artists and be inspired by them, it’s so important to remember that your style, voice, and calling as an artist are unique, and that is a wonderful thing! Seek God’s heart for your creative gift and ask Him to give you a vision for how He wants you to use it to glorify Him and bless the world.
The Lord teaches me so much through creating art. There’s a quote by Francis Shaeffer that says, “Art is a reflection of God’s creativity, an evidence that we are made in the image of God.” When we look at creation, it is obvious that God took great delight in making beautiful things, and adding so many tiny details and intricate patterns that we will never discover them all! I think that when we create just for the sheer joy of it, it is a reflection of the Creator, and an expression of a part of Himself that He has placed within us. I think that’s an incredible and beautiful thing.
One specific thing the Lord continually shows me through art is to trust the process. With almost every piece of art I create, there’s a point in the middle where it just looks terrible, and I start to wonder if I can actually carry out my vision and make it into something beautiful, but if I keep working, I always do! It usually looks a little different than I imagined, and it sometimes involves a lot of erasing or ripping out stitches, but it becomes beautiful in the end. As I am creating, the Lord has reminded me many times that I am also a work in progress. When things in my life look really messy, it’s because I’m in the middle of the process, and He’s not finished with me yet. Though my life often looks different than what I plan or expect, it will be beautiful. “He makes everything beautiful in its time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
Is there more than one creative outlet for you? Do they all come together or totally separate?
I have so many creative hobbies I can’t list them all here, though some (crocheting for instance) have gone unused for long periods of time. Besides drawing, painting, and hand-lettering, I do some jewelry making, photography, embroidery, sewing, and dance, to name a few! Dance is definitely a different form of art than the rest, because it is created through movement, rather than physical materials. For me, dance is also a way to express my emotions, and worship the Lord!
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
I’ve noticed that it’s so easy for me to get caught up in the pressure to create art as a product. Recently, I’ve felt God calling me to refocus on creating art that flows out of what He is speaking to me and the joy of creative experimentation. While I will definitely continue to sell art, I don’t want that to be the main focus! I want to create because I love it, and to encourage others!
How did you become productive and abundant in your artwork/and where do you see it going from here?
Though I feel like I still have a lot of growing to do in this area, I believe it’s through being faithful with what I have, and trusting God to bless my efforts. A quote that I like says, “Pray like it’s all up to God and work like it’s all up to you.” It is God who gives me every opportunity and blesses the work of my hands, but I must do my part to steward the creative gift He’s given me by continuing to use it and improve my skills. Going forward, I do plan to continue selling art in my Etsy shop, and I have lots of exciting ideas for possible new products. I also have a few custom projects for friends that are different from anything I’ve done before. I’d love to get my own website set up at some point but I haven’t quite figured that out. Aside from that, I’m just going to keep creating and see where God takes me!
Some practical steps you'd encourage other creatives to take to become productive and learn business skills etc.?
I know the business side of things is the hardest for most creatives, and it’s no different for me! The biggest piece of advice I can give is just be willing to learn. Be willing to get out of your comfort zone and use a different part of your brain than normal. Start researching, observing others who are successful in the creative business world, and trying new things to see what works! If you use Etsy, follow them on Instagram, as they sometimes do live videos to critique listings and give tips on how to make them better. I’ve found these to be really helpful!
Any encouraging words, words of wisdom from what you've learned to help other creatives on their journey to being abundant and thriving artists/creatives/makers?
Don’t compare your creative journey to others’. While it’s amazing to be able to watch and learn from other artists and be inspired by them, it’s so important to remember that your style, voice, and calling as an artist are unique, and that is a wonderful thing! Seek God’s heart for your creative gift and ask Him to give you a vision for how He wants you to use it to glorify Him and bless the world.