An Inspired Chat with Kylier Marshall of Surprise

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kylier Marshall . Check out our conversation below.

Kylier, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
I work full-time at an architecture firm as a designer and part-time at Desert and Pine Design, my small business. Finding time for myself can be tricky, but has become more and more important to me. Growing up, my family and I often went hiking, camping, and on hunting adventures. We were always out in nature and enjoyed finding new hiking trails. Hiking with friends or the occasional solo hike has continued to bring me so much joy. I love challenging myself, while appreciating God’s creation and the stillness of nature. I also enjoy going to swing/line dance lessons because music always makes me happier, and I have been able to meet some great people along the way. Learning new dances helps me to stay active. I love discovering new artists in the music industry through social media and going to concerts. Listening to fans sing along and the artists share personal stories at live shows is truly amazing!

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kylier Marshall, I’m the woman behind all the artwork for Desert and Pine Design. A little over six years ago, I was able to turn my passion for art into a small business. I graduated from Northern Arizona University with a degree in interior design and a minor in psychology. Having multiple jobs that I absolutely adore has been such a gift. I was born and raised in Arizona, and I love anything outdoors. Growing up, I used to watch my grandpa paint, my grandma quilt, and everyone around me build new things, so I wanted to do something similar, that I could call my own. Over the years, I have grown my small business into something I’m very proud of. I design custom wood burnings, flat-brim hats, baseball hats, and recently added leather luggage tags. Something that makes Desert and Pine Design unique is that everything is hand-drawn, and I never duplicate a design. Each piece is truly one of a kind. I always want to make sure to keep my personal touch with each piece made to order.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I used to be very shy. Over time, I’ve learned to recognize and embrace the qualities that make me the woman I am today. I think my whole family saw my potential before I could. The two people who stick out the most to me are my sweet grandparents. They encouraged me day after day and were my biggest fans. They knew from a very young age that I was special. My papa Joe would take the time to critique my artwork, but in such a loving way that kept pushing me, and I wanted to keep getting better. Their whole house was filled with his award-winning paintings, and they decided to hang up one of my paintings from when I was 9 years old. It was the first thing guests would see when they walked into the house. During college, I would go to their house and sit at the kitchen counter and work on a piece for hours. They’d take turns sitting next to me, telling stories, or just simply watching. They would compliment me on my heart, my attitude, my smile, and my love for the Lord and people around me. They were so encouraging and really helped shape me and my artwork. They believed in me before I even knew what was possible.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear of perfection or not being enough has really held me back in life. I would consider myself a people person. I tend to put the needs of others before my own. The art industry is a tough world — everything is up for interpretation. As an artist, I try to keep up with the trends while remaining true to my style, but this can be hard to navigate. We live in a world that is always looking for something bigger and better. There is a fear of not effectively marketing my work and drawing people in. These things have taught me some tough lessons when it comes to trying to be perfect.

I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I feel like they would say that friends, family, and Jesus are the most important to me. Without any of them, I would not be where I am today. They would also say how much I am invested in my business and how I pour my heart into all of my artwork.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: When do you feel most at peace?
I feel most at peace in nature, noticing the small details of the rocks, the clouds, flowers, and animals. I try to keep a positive perspective on life and find the Lord’s beauty in everyday life. Working on wood burnings and hats continues to bring me peace. Each piece takes countless hours and requires my full attention. I normally sit and listen to some soft country or worship music as I get lost in my work. The world slowly fades, and I find myself focusing on each line and how I am going to shade the next section. Eventually, the design just falls into place. It’s important to me to have a peaceful state of mind while working, I believe that is a direct reflection of my care that each design deserves.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @desert_and_pine_design

Image Credits
Photos taken by Anna Bloxham, Lesley Amber Photography and Victoria Mallett