creative highlight
MEMBER from our community
KATE MCKEE
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My name is Kate McKee and I’m a Christadelphian hand lettering artist that creates original Bible verse art. I’ve been learning brush calligraphy and hand lettering since 2017 and have continued to learn with watercolors and grow my composition skills. The mission of Kate McKee Calligraphy is to fill homes and lives with truth from God’s word and spread the good news of the gospel in a beautiful way. Originally from New Zealand and then Australia, I now live in the US in Virginia and hope to reach out to all those that are willing to hear. Currently I offer high quality prints of my original fine artwork for you to display in your home or gift to a friend. The goal being to spread God's word and the greatest hope into your homes, offices, or workspaces with my art, and encourage fellow believers on all my social media platforms. God offers hope and his name is Jesus Christ!
Etsy Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateMcKeeCalligraphy
Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest: @KateMckeeCalligraphy
Email: [email protected]
Etsy Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KateMcKeeCalligraphy
Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest: @KateMckeeCalligraphy
Email: [email protected]
Can you tell us about your introduction to art? How did you know you had a creative gift?
I never really did think I was creative, just that I liked creative things. As a kid I liked sewing, designing houses for my barbies and playing around with fun letters and note taking when I got older. It wasn’t until a tricky point in my life, that a therapist suggested I pick up a hobby and focus on my growth, that I decided to take it seriously and learn how to letter. It’s been years since then and I am still grateful – learning this skill has given me so many ways to demonstrate my creativity!
Did you ever think you'd be selling your art or teaching art?
Absolutely not! For starters, that was never my goal. Secondly, I really started for such a personal reason with no expectations. I had no idea that learning a new skill could change my life.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
So many! I love lettering and calligraphy with brush pens, but I also adore sketching letters and compositions with a trusty pencil and eraser. Painting is a little harder for me because I have less time for that and I feel like I have less control with a brush, but it probably is the most rewarding aspect!
I never really did think I was creative, just that I liked creative things. As a kid I liked sewing, designing houses for my barbies and playing around with fun letters and note taking when I got older. It wasn’t until a tricky point in my life, that a therapist suggested I pick up a hobby and focus on my growth, that I decided to take it seriously and learn how to letter. It’s been years since then and I am still grateful – learning this skill has given me so many ways to demonstrate my creativity!
Did you ever think you'd be selling your art or teaching art?
Absolutely not! For starters, that was never my goal. Secondly, I really started for such a personal reason with no expectations. I had no idea that learning a new skill could change my life.
What are your favorite ways to express your creativity?
So many! I love lettering and calligraphy with brush pens, but I also adore sketching letters and compositions with a trusty pencil and eraser. Painting is a little harder for me because I have less time for that and I feel like I have less control with a brush, but it probably is the most rewarding aspect!
How do you encounter the Lord in your creativity?
My faith is an integral part of my creativity. I believe that the capacity that we have to learn and grow skills and talents require that we use them to give Him glory. Every piece I create is intended to do that. Not only that, but to shed light and understanding on different parts of His word. A LOT of my time is focused on more than just sharing a pretty quote – but hopefully to meditate and study and share truth.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
Two things - the first is to nurture and encourage those that are already in the faith. Social media is such an overwhelming place and for those that are there on this platform already, I really want to bring God into their feeds as much as possible – that’s incredibly important to me. Secondly, and my main reason I push forwards with sharing online, is that there are absolutely people out there that don’t yet know God or have a hope. I am determined to be present and show up for this purpose.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
Oh absolutely. I love so many pens, pencils, paints, rulers, papers, pencil cases, gadgets! They’re not all necessary, but all very fun and useful. I have to hold myself back like you wouldn’t believe!
Do you have a team of people that help you or you're just going step by step?
Absolutely! Obviously I have all the material I would ever need in God’s word. To be able to spread this truth and hope is a huge blessing – I can’t think of anything else I would rather share. On top of that I have the best cheerleader in my husband who helps keep me going when I feel like no one is interested in what I am creating/sharing. He’s been a part of many a photo shoot, composition feedback and a general bouncing board. I’m also lucky enough to have a really supportive family and group of friends – they’re a huge part of giving me the courage to share and get out there.
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?
There is SO MUCH material out there to teach new skills. I’ve learnt from books, YouTube, Skillshare – it’s all out there just waiting for you to start and learn and grow. Don’t get discouraged when it takes a while for you to get a handle on things – the journey is the best part and it’s so fun to look back on your growth and be glad that you didn’t give up when your art didn’t look how you wanted it too.
My faith is an integral part of my creativity. I believe that the capacity that we have to learn and grow skills and talents require that we use them to give Him glory. Every piece I create is intended to do that. Not only that, but to shed light and understanding on different parts of His word. A LOT of my time is focused on more than just sharing a pretty quote – but hopefully to meditate and study and share truth.
What do you feel God is calling you to in this season with your creativeness?
Two things - the first is to nurture and encourage those that are already in the faith. Social media is such an overwhelming place and for those that are there on this platform already, I really want to bring God into their feeds as much as possible – that’s incredibly important to me. Secondly, and my main reason I push forwards with sharing online, is that there are absolutely people out there that don’t yet know God or have a hope. I am determined to be present and show up for this purpose.
Is it costly to be a creative/artist?
Oh absolutely. I love so many pens, pencils, paints, rulers, papers, pencil cases, gadgets! They’re not all necessary, but all very fun and useful. I have to hold myself back like you wouldn’t believe!
Do you have a team of people that help you or you're just going step by step?
Absolutely! Obviously I have all the material I would ever need in God’s word. To be able to spread this truth and hope is a huge blessing – I can’t think of anything else I would rather share. On top of that I have the best cheerleader in my husband who helps keep me going when I feel like no one is interested in what I am creating/sharing. He’s been a part of many a photo shoot, composition feedback and a general bouncing board. I’m also lucky enough to have a really supportive family and group of friends – they’re a huge part of giving me the courage to share and get out there.
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?
There is SO MUCH material out there to teach new skills. I’ve learnt from books, YouTube, Skillshare – it’s all out there just waiting for you to start and learn and grow. Don’t get discouraged when it takes a while for you to get a handle on things – the journey is the best part and it’s so fun to look back on your growth and be glad that you didn’t give up when your art didn’t look how you wanted it too.