Inspiration: Joy Kinna
I am thrilled to introduce you to one of my favorite abstract expressionist artists, Joy Kinna.
I love Joy's work because it's so striking and yet so refreshingly simple. I feel like I'm taking a deep breath of crisp mountain air every time one of her paintings crosses my Instagram feed.
Joy's paintings often incorporate several washes of thinned color layered beneath more opaque and bold brushstrokes. Blues (especially navy) and muted pinks and mauves fill her work.
I can easily see where Joy's inspiration comes from. Take a quick scroll down her Instagram feed, and photos of British Columbia's stark coast and majestic mountain ranges punctuate her abstracts. One of my favorites she made during her visit to Norway this summer.
Learn more about Joy's creative process and inspiration below!
Q&A with Abstract Expressionist Artist Joy Kinna
Tell me about your work. What is your process, and what inspires you?
My work is primarily process driven. I allow the canvas to come alive through a loose process of creating. I rely on intuition, emotion, past failure and successes to guide my mark making. I am greatly inspired by colour, movement and my daily life.
How did you get to where you are now? Briefly tell us about your journey
I have always been in love with creating art and exploring colour since I was a young child. It wasn’t until I was graduating high school when I actually began dreaming of being an artist as my career. After this, I decided to get a fine arts degree. This has been one of the most challenging but most rewarding things. I am still in the beginning phase of creating my business and learning the ropes of freelance, but I love every moment of it.
What are the best and hardest parts about being an artist?
The hardest part is feeling like I don’t know where to begin when creating a business out of my work. That being said, being able to do what I love for my income is incredible.
What’s the best advice you ever received?
Create what you feel like you need to create, not just what someone is going to purchase.
Who are your biggest influences?
I am influenced by Agnes Martin, Cy Twombly, Mark Rothko, and Helen Frankenthaler. As far as contemporary artists, I am a huge fan of Heather Day, Maja Długołecki, and Jenny Brosinski.
Do you have any advice for aspiring artists or other entrepreneurs?
Keep going! There will always be people who will tell you what you are doing is crazy and it will never go anywhere, but there are so many people who have gone before us and have killed it. Keep believing in yourself and keep following your calling to create. Our world needs artists.
See more of Joy Kinna's paintings on her website and Instagram.