Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Carr.
Hi Kayla, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I consider myself a modern-day renaissance woman. I love to design, draw, paint, sculpt, write poetry, play guitar, and play a little piano as well. I have been doing art since I was in diapers but I got serious about it in high school following a mental health crisis. I was one of the kids whose parents told them art is just a hobby, but I worked relentlessly to prove to them and more importantly to myself that God’s plan for my life was rooted in the arts. I went to college at Georgia State University and got a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. This taught me the importance of honoring the process of creating rather than just the creation itself. After participating in over 100 art shows in the Atlanta area, I was inspired to curate my own. I started a spiritual movement called Taste & See and branded my art show around it. It was inspired by the Bible verse Psalms 34:8 because I believe God is the source of my creativity and I want people to taste & see God’s goodness and love in everything I create, especially considering He is the original creator. I now own a full-blown creative agency called Studio 34:8 under which I do my art professionally and provide a variety of design services to my clients. Art is what keeps me well mentally, emotionally, and spiritually while also allowing me to walk in my purpose of serving, healing, and communicating God’s love to others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has not been smooth by any means. I have struggled with and overcame many mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, PTSD, and even a few suicide attempts. I also battled with addiction for almost a decade. I am now in recovery and have been able to use my experiences to help others who have gone through similar experiences. It has also allowed me to advocate for the importance of mental health treatment and challenge some of the stigmas that exist around therapy and around addiction, particularly amongst BIPOC communities.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Studio 34:8 is a black-owned, female lead creative agency founded by myself. We are dedicated to providing meaningful design services that empower people to step into their calling through creativity and visual solutions. Our vision is to enrich a community of purpose-driven businesses that excel in visual communication and spread joy through artistic services. We believe in breaking barriers, finding purpose, inspiring beauty, creating solutions, adding value, and serving others. Our tagline is “Taste the Possibility, See the vision,” because I started this brand as an extension of my original company called Taste & See. It is based off of my favorite Bible verse Psalms 34:8 which says, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.” This has been relevant to my life because I’ve always seen God as an artist, and we are made in His image; meaning He is the source and the center of our creativity. My spirituality has been a refuge for me so I wanted to share that feeling with the world through art and design. The services we provide are branding, advertising, print design, publication design, fashion & merchandise design, packaging design, social media design, visual art, and illustration. We have worked with a variety of clients such as musicians, nonprofits, authors, clothing brands, teachers, therapists, social activists, preachers, and entrepreneurs. We love working with hardworking, open-minded individuals. Our clients are dreamers that go against the grain and see with more than just their eyes.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
The thing I love the most about our city is the sense of community and the abundance of creativity. Creatives genuinely respect each other here and are very supportive of one another, The culture is rich and the people are warm. The thing I like the least about our city is the traffic, severely overpriced housing, and the lack of parking. The scene can feel oversaturated at times, but what’s for you is for you so I believe there is enough room for everyone. The good outweighs the bad.
Contact Info:
- Website: studio348.org
- Instagram: instagram.com/kay_carr/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/kayla.carr29
- Other: kaylacarr.me (personal website) instagram.com/studio34.8/ is the studio 34:8 Instagram (new)
Image Credits
Danielle Gordon
