Meet Katie Jackson | Artist, Mother, and Wallpaper Designer

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

Hi Katie, how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
Work life balance is a funny thing… I don’t think it exists, at least not equally. I started my business before becoming a mom knowing that when I did become a mom I would need a very flexible job since I would be the primary care taker. I didn’t have any clue to the realities I would be in for as a parent and just how much time you have to devote to a child. So the balance isn’t an equal balance. Most of my day is dedicated to my son. I work during nap time or if he’ll allow me to get a couple of small tasks done while he explore my office. Otherwise, I’m at the mercy of my husband’s schedule or a few hours a week when my mom stops in to help. So my balance is 75% life and 25% work. Obviously, this changes based on who is home on the weekend or at what stage my son is at.

Instead of trying to ask if I’m getting my balance in I have 4 categories I have to get done each day in order to stay sane. Those are, Connection, Movement, Creativity, and Nature. I need adult human interaction, to touch nature and be outside, to move my body through a walk or workout, and to do something creative, not always painting but often that’s what it is. This has become my model for finding “balance” and I like it because there are no specifics to it. I get to define if I accomplished each other those things in a day and if I didn’t it becomes the priority for the next day.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I create gouache (water based paints) and soft pastel paintings that capture the magic of the everyday. My art is meant for the woman who does it all to slow down and remember that there is magic right here right now, she just has to spot it.

After burnout in 2020 and losing my job due to COVID I started doing more art. It actually started with a children’s book project my mom and I did (Leila’s Glasses, available on my website) which got me back into a regular practice. From there it’s been slow growth but the more people who learn about what I do and connect with my art or the message, the further Modern Magic spreads and continue to grow. I’m learning that community is the key to growth and that working with other businesses or groups of women has huge potential.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Convivio Cafe is my favorite place to take new people. Their food and drinks are amazing and they really encourage and help you learn the Spanish language. It’s female owned and supports immigrants and they continue to do amazing things. Plus the ambiance of the space is pure magic. Afterwards I would take someone to the RINO art district or Tennyson street to check out local small businesses and see the art our city has to offer. I’m always down for a yoga class at Ohana Yoga + Barre (or an ice bath if you’re into that sort of thing). Of course, if there’s time during the day I would stop at the Botanic Gardens for some connection with nature and to get inspired by all the flowers. For dinner I love Super Mega Bien and then getting an after dinner cocktail at the Ramble Hotel next door.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Oh man, there are a million people and resources that have gotten me here. Working and collaborating with other small business (usually female owned) has been the greatest thing I’ve done and the best support I get. Both Ohana Yoga and Barre and Elemental Bakery and Coffeehouse are huge supporters of my art and offer up their venues as ways for me to display my art and increase my livelihood. Off the top of my head, those two I can’t praise enough!

Website: https://shopmodernmagic.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/modernmagicdecor

Other: Substack: https://shopmodernmagic.substack.com/