Meet Kari Schaff | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kari Schaff and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kari, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I was always afraid of putting myself out there, being judged, not being good enough, failing. As I have gotten older, and dare I say wiser, I realized failure is not necessarily a bad thing. Its how we grow and learn. I have also learned that other peoples opinions don’t define who I am or justify my art. Putting my art out there was scary for me but how would I truly know until I took that step. So I jumped in and entered my first Art Fair in 2021 followed by opening up my Etsy shop a few months later.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I have always had the creative bug, drawing one thing or another from an early age on. But I lacked focus, not sure what I wanted to do professionally. I attended The Savannah College of Art and Design and Graduated From The Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. I tried my hand at many different things, computer art, graphic art, painting and ending with an Illustration degree. It wasn’t an easy road, I changed majors and schools, and had a health scare that gave me 3 months to 2 years to live. It was a brain tumor in the stem of my brain. The surgery was successful but it left me with a numb right hand and foot. I happen to be right handed so I had a lot of physical therapy to relearn how to hold things, write, let alone draw and paint. Needless to say, it took me 12 years to graduate. And then I had my three beautiful Children. I immersed myself into family life, and volunteering. Not doing much at all with my art. Now that my kids are older and venturing out into their own lives have I started to pick up the paint brush again. When Covid hit and we all found ourselves quarantined I found a need to make my family, and myself smile so I stated painting Animal Selfies. 12 x 12 paintings of animals with silly grins and facial expressions. I ended up with a lot of these paintings and not sure what to do with them all. I decided to try and sell them, and with the encouragement and support of my family applied for my first art fair. I have now expanded beyond animals and have included landscapes and flowers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love Colorado, its beauty and endless outdoor activities. I enjoy all the wonderful hiking trails. Garden of the Gods, Pikes Peak, Red Rocks, and Rocky Mountain National Park just to name a few. I love taking a drive up to Breckenridge, Winter Park, Estes Park, Steamboat Springs for hiking, skiing, hot springs and rafting. You really need more than a week to enjoy everything that Colorado has to offer.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My family. My husband and three kids have been a huge support to me. Very encouraging, helpful, supportive and steadfast belief that I have talent. Also my sister and Mother-in-Law for for believing in me and their encouragement to get out there.

Website: kfoxcre8zart.etsy.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kfox.cre8z/

Image Credits
Griffin Schaff