A Conversation with Artist Joy Kinna

Joy Kinna takes a beautiful approach to the work she creates and the life she lives…

After starting her lifelong dream of painting, she discovered that her work was resonating to those who encountered it. Her pieces evoke ethereal feelings — ones that inspire us to pay attention to the rhythm and movement of the world around us.

We were excited to catch up with Joy to learn more about her recent collaboration with McGee & Co., her process, and how she got started. Scroll through to read our conversation and explore her new collection with McGee & Co. on the site!

"I often find myself inspired by the things around me that carry beauty."

How did Joy Kinna come into fruition?

I had always dreamed of being a freelance artist but never dreamt of it exploding quite the way it has so far. As a child, I loved drawing and creating and all throughout school I loved my art classes. When I went to university to study art I was mostly focused on the medium of drawing, until I had to take an abstract painting course, which I was dreading! That dread quickly changed to a complete love for abstract painting. I couldn’t stop exploring and creating. I first started selling my work at university to family and friends, and once that faded it continued to grow into acquaintances, then total strangers, slowly building my clientele. I adored painting and didn’t want to stop exploring that medium. I wanted to sell my work, simply so I could create more. Eventually, I was selling enough to pay rent, get a studio, and then enough to quit my other job to be a full-time artist. I have just naturally continued to grow my business (mainly through Instagram) and sell my work privately through my website joykinna.com. It has been a gift to be able to do that and I am often reminded of my humble beginnings.

What feeling do you want your artwork to evoke in a home? 

I want my work to evoke a sense of peace, calm, and wonder. I want the viewer to be able to rest easy and enjoy the presence of my work while being interested in the technique and the visual components. I believe art has a huge impact on space. It is a conversation starter and can easily change the whole vibe of a room.

“I believe the spaces you are in can greatly affect your mind and creativity.”

How do you curate your surroundings to create an environment for tuning into your work?

Ah yes! I love this question. I believe the spaces you are in can greatly affect your mind and creativity. My studio is currently on a farm property with big fields just a few minutes from the city. It is a quiet and calm space where I am able to clear my head and focus on my art while I am there. I keep the studio as organized as an art studio can be. I utilize the natural light and white walls to help me stay focused and give me clarity as I paint. The minimal aesthetic of my studio space helps the work to be the focus. My home is bright and minimal, most walls have art on them and each item we bring in holds some sort of value to us whether is it for a specific function or aesthetic. I am a sucker for vintage and family heirlooms. I have many beautiful Scandinavian home pieces from my grandmother that I’ll continue to style and cherish in my home. The mix of colors, design, textures, and negative space all play a role in providing the type of calming rest I want in a space. I hope my work is used in such a way in spaces and is passed on through families as a timeless piece of art.

What are your thoughts about the importance of artwork in interior design?

As I mentioned, I believe art has such an integral impact on space and the people that dwell within it. Art is a conversation starter, and like any beautifully crafted object or piece of furniture, it evokes a feeling within a space. Art can be the thing that brings a room to life by accenting or complimenting the other textures, colors and pieces of furniture that reside in the space. I have had the privilege of working with many interior design firms to bring clients’ spaces to life. It’s always a pleasure to work with designers to create a cohesive palette that will bring life to a beautifully designed space.

Tell us more about the inspiration and process behind each piece in collaboration with McGee & Co.

My work is heavily inspired by three things: the process of making art, my natural surroundings (the coast of BC), and interior spaces. When working with McGee & Co these three things aligned perfectly in this collaboration. The paintings created were made with homes and work spaces in mind. I wanted to create work that felt organic, calming, peaceful, and overall work that brought some more interest into its visual space.

What does living beautifully mean to you?

Living beautifully is twofold. It is being present in the day-to-day, enjoying the beauty in every aspect of life, whether it is family, friendship, art, work, my surroundings, etc. It is also contributing to this beauty. Adding peace, adding creativity, adding art. Another aspect of this is recognizing that beauty impacts our lives daily. I often find myself inspired by the things around me that carry beauty. Making time and space to take in these things is essential.

What’s next for you — personally or professionally?

I am in the process of completing my Fall 2022 collection which I will be selling through my website – www.joykinna.com. I release work a few times a year, so it is always an exciting lead-up to launch. I cannot wait for my collectors (old and new) to get their hands on this new series!