The Grounded Girl Interview Series Welcomes Kourtney Cannon- Live Painter

We are so excited to introduce our Grounded Girl for the month of April for Groundedco.

We look forward to sharing with you these amazing women in our community that are empowering and inspiring others.

I introduce to you Kourtney Cannon, a local artist-painter of the Palm beaches, FL that does local live paintings and water illustrations. She is an artist inspired by all the nature, architecture, and life.

 

 

Hi! I’m KOURTNEY!

Groundedco: Tell us a little bit about yourself and your business?

Kourtney: Hi! I’m Kourtney Cannon and a creative at heart. I am married to Ryan, and we have 2 little girls, a third baby on the way! Our faith sits at the center of our hearts and all flows from it! Currently it is Live Event painting season, but you can find me painting in studio or taking photos of inspiration around town!

 

 

Groundedco: What inspired you to become an artist-painter? How did this journey unfold for you? What’s next?

Kourtney:  I have been creative my whole life but started taking painting to the next level about 5 years ago! My daughter Rhylee had some health complications and Art became a meditative way of healing! Slowly God opened doors in the painting world and my focus is commission painting and live event painting. What’s next, well I’m just waiting for that door to open! Keeping myself open is key!

 

 

Groundedco: Who has been your greatest inspiration and why?

Kourtney: Some of my great inspirations are entrepreneurs who juggle the full load of work life balance! Okay whether it be my husband Ryan or some of the amazing Moms who juggle careers and parenting, sometimes there’s not even a separation! One of my favorite artists inspires me always to use my kiddos in the painting process, you will find the girls hands painting on almost all my work!

 

Groundedco: What is your favorite way to stay active?

Kourtney: We love taking walks with our kiddos, being outside in nature, especially at the beach or by the water. I love boating and water sports! They make me feel the most like me!

 

 

Groundedco: How do you make sure you have time to create? Do you have a set time or build it into your calendar?

Kourtney: This is always a balancing act as my kiddos take priority, but I’m thankful painting can include them! I do have a set number of hours to focus each week on the studio and schedule live events on weekends, but mostly we wake up and can’t wait to get messy in the studio all together!

 

 

Groundedco: What is one or some of the biggest challenges you have had and how have you overcome them?

Kourtney: Biggest challenge is making sure I always stay open to change! Sometimes the expectations of social media or “art rules” from educators can keep you from creating, and you feel like you must stay in a bubble of one type of work! Staying true to learning and doing exercises that help you create individuality in your work are ways I overcome the feeling of being stale or breaking through a creative wall.

 

Groundedco: Why Do You Make This Type of Art? Does your art represent something about you?

Kourtney: I’ve always loved color, lots of it, I love texture, I love abstracts! People say they can do an abstract, but they are my toughest works! They challenge me! I can paint from a photo, but to release and just paint from feel is another level! I’m inspired by the colors all around me! Love Caribbean folk art and really try to connect with the south Florida landscapes. All my work is all my life around me! Inspired one day by sandpipers running along the beach and the next just a bright color palette of abstracts from a landscape photo I matched… the next day I might be painting at a wedding capturing a beautiful moment right after the couple says, “I do”, all of it brings so much joy! My kiddos keep me inspired to not paint perfectly and be creative in my color options!

 

 

Groundedco: If you could pick any place in the world to be and stay grounded, where would it be and why?

Kourtney: Somewhere near the breeze and water, the stillness of a field of weeping willows or the softness of sand between your toes at the beach, maybe even a stroll along an old little key west street taking in all the colors of the cottages. I love the sounds of birds and smell of the ocean, but in the same I love a good hike through the mountains and snapping photos of color changing trees. I wouldn’t say there’s an exact spot, but anywhere quiet where nature can take control!

 

 

Groundedco: As an artist what tips do you have for someone looking to get into painting in the beginning stages?

Kourtney: My advice is to just start! One brush stroke or photo or clay molding at a time. Ask for help and advice! Some creatives are closed off and afraid to tell or show their strokes, not me! I wish I everyone could feel the joy I get from creating. Thanking God for this journey every day!