Kara Marshall shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Kara, 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. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Lately, I’ve had a mix of laughable and proud moments! Every day, I balance running my art business while working full time. I started my art journey about ten years ago, and it’s incredible how one creative path keeps unfolding into another. The past couple of weeks have been a whirlwind with art exhibits, studio tours, award winning art pieces, volunteering, and even becoming a board member at a local gallery. It’s amusing because the more I let go and trust the process, the more things seem to fall into place. I’m proud that I’m keeping my head above water as deadlines shift and stack up. It’s chaotic in the best possible way.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m an artist, and the creator behind Karma Jean Art. When I first started creating art, I was hesitant to put myself out there. I decided to use a pseudonym much like an author would. My diving coach called me Karma, and my friends at University nicknamed me Kara Jean (even though Jean isn’t my middle name), so Karma Jean Art felt natural. Early on, it gave me something to stand behind when sharing my work felt too vulnerable. As I’ve grown more confident and self-aware, I’ve become comfortable attaching my real name to my art. Someday, I hope to open a gallery under the Karma Jean Art name to showcase not only my own work but other artists as well.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think the people who gave me my nicknames (Karma and Kara Jean) saw me clearly before I ever really saw myself (thanks Coach O’Brien and the DePaul crew at Clark’s). At the time, I didn’t understand why those names stuck, and as I started my art journey, it all began to make sense. They saw the real me, a mix of balance, energy, and heart, long before I did. That’s why Karma Jean Art feels so personal and meaningful. The name came from people who truly saw me, and now people can see me through my artwork that speaks volumes.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
After my fourth surgery, life grew painfully quiet. I was alone most days and off work for almost two years, with nowhere to turn but inward through prayer. I asked for guidance, for strength, for a sign that I could find meaning in the waiting. The next day, I sat at the dining room table searching for inspiration in a bag filled with pictures and torn papers. The first thing I pulled out was a die-cut butterfly my grandma, who I was very close with, had sent me in college. It read, “Think Spring, I love you.” In that moment, I knew I wasn’t alone.
I let that small sign guide my hand and my heart. In the stillness, faith and creativity became my lifeline, and I began to turn my pain into power by creating from a place of healing, gratitude, and grace. What began as a way to cope became a calling, and I haven’t stopped creating since.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, the public version is the real deal. What you see in my art and how I show up is who I truly am. It’s taken time, faith, and a lot of self-discovery to get here, and I no longer feel the need to hide. My art, my words, my presence are all reflections of the real me.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. Art is full of rejection, and I’ve learned to give my best anyway. I share my work because it’s part of who I am, not for praise. And I hope it sparks something in others and encourage them to pick up a brush, a pen, or a dream they’ve been holding back, to do what they were meant to do, even when no one is watching.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.karmajeanart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karmajeanart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/karmajeanart
- Other: Studio Location:
Ground Floor Artists
13343 W Foxfire Dr, Suite 3
Surprise, Arizona
