Meet McKayla Carter | Artist and Instructor

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

Hi McKayla, why did you pursue a creative career?
I pursued a artistic career because I truly couldn’t see me doing anything else in this world. Since I can remember, I knew I would never be happy doing something else. It’s not easy, and it’s not a perfect path for everyone, but it’s worth all the struggle and frustrations.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I strive as an artist to not only invite you to experience an uncomfortable image I created with accuracy and intensified colors but to see something deeper. Something you haven’t seen before. Allowing you to ultimately find the beauty within. Because I believe as a society we continue to seek out the things that only make us happy, but with the world, we live in and the trials and terrors that surround us, why not look at these situations and find the positives. The beauty that can set us apart as humans and encourage us to turn a negative into a positive, whether it be figurative or literal. Join me as I explore that within art and life.

I have been doing art since I could pick up a pencil. I began taking classes when 10 and have never stopped. However after my years in college I began to find my own unique artistic style and it has continued to grow and morph shape as I continue teaching my vast knowledge and learning as well.

It hasn’t always been easy, when I was a child my family supported my talents, but as I got older it’s been harder to find true support within my loved ones. If it weren’t for my husband Quinn and his never wavering believe in me, I’m not sure I would have been able to continue down this path. One main challenge I have had as a professional artist is being able to overcome my fear of letting the world see my work. Each piece I create is like a journal entry. It acts as a window into a time frame of my life and I can recall many of the things that were happening while painting it. It’s scary letting the world see my windows and being brave enough to be okay if the world doesn’t like them. To overcome it I simply had to keep exposing my work, each time gets easier.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are so many things I would want to do if I had a friend visit me! First it would obviously be an opportunity to head to the Ogden canyon. We’d head to lunch at the shoot star saloon in Huntsville. It’s the oldest saloon on the west coast of the United States. We’d have a delicious burger, shoot some pool, and say hello to the saloon cat that lives in the back courtyard. Then we’d head to Pineview reservoir and kayak around tug boating my two dogs until we are exhausted from the summer fun. Restaurant locations I’d insist on taking them would be, Roosters, Sushi Pro for the super fun revolving sushi bar. Warren’s on 25th and pig in a jelly jar of course. We’d have to go to brunch at Slackwater, then tacos at whimsy and fritz. And if they like a good beer we’d head to UTOG brewing and hopefully catch a baseball game from the back patio!

Locations we’d visit would start with the Monarch on 25th. We’d admire some art and enjoy seeing different creatives sharing an authentic studio experience. Then we’d head to the Union Station in ogden and stroll down the historic 25th street. We’d end the week with a tubbing adventure in Morgan Utah courtesy of barefoot tubing, and some delicious dinner at Taggarts where we can watch a family of peacocks just hanging out.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I am apart of a couching group called The Makers Huddle. Audrey Crhristensen is the coach and founder of this group. The Makers Huddle is designed for creative business owners of all different levels. There are artists like myself, influences, candle makers, and so many more. It’s been such a support of my journey and my aspirations and dreams for my path, I am very positive if it wasn’t for the support and all the creative brainstorm sessions, I do not believe I would have excelled as rapidly as I have this year.

x

Website: Macs-arts.com

Instagram: @Macsarts

Youtube: McKayla Carter