Meet Kyle Hollingsworth

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kyle Hollingsworth and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kyle, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I chose a creative career because art literally saved my life. I came from an abusive, dangerous family life where survival was key, art kept me sane, and by the time I was ready to go to any kind of college, art school made the most sense. I had been drawing and painting since a very early age, and at that time, it was one of the few things that brought me peace and joy.

Having been gifted in art since childhood, and having no other true areas of interest, I took the leap and got my degree in visual communications. It’s been a wild, wonderful, and varied journey, with jobs and projects spanning across many mediums and creative platforms.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a creative down to my bones. I have been drawing, painting + making all kinds of art since childhood, and currently work as a professional fine artist, illustrator, and designer. I also host two podcasts, have a healing practice, and lead retreats for women to discover and celebrate their creativity, light, and unique courage.

I had to overcome a staggering amount of trauma and loss to find the strength to heal and create a life for myself, and I feel proud of how far I have come. What’s helped me heal? A great deal of work – all so worth it – to uncover the limiting beliefs I held about my life and myself, and to work with a variety of therapist, shamans, doctors, and healers over the past 12 years. I use art, talk therapy, plant medicine, prayer, and an array of healing modalities to know myself and my own heart better, and to honor my inner child. She’s the one who got me painting, after all. 🙂 It’s an ongoing journey, and I am committed to my healing as much as I am to my art.

The biggest lessons I have learned: That it’s actually great to be a polymath, and to explore + create from multiple platforms. I’ve learned to trust myself, to follow my own intuition, and to do the thing before I am ready, and if it’s scary, do it afraid. Life is a gift and I want to live it fully. I’ve learned that I am enough, I can trust my own gifts, and that I am worthy of love, professional success, and personal growth.

I want the world to know that I am a creative, courageous, stand for the full self-expression and healing of myself and others, and want to live as a lighthouse for anyone needing inspiration to heal and live a life they want, no matter what life brings.

Launched in February of 2024, I host my own podcast, COURAGEOUS AF (on Apple and Spotify), where I share my own story of survival, of healing and of creating a courageous life. I interview others about their stories and guidance, and I also lead retreats where I support women in discovering, uncovering and celebrating their creativity, light, and unique gifts.

My life is a balance of all my endeavors: my fine art, illustration, design work, retreats, writing, public speaking, mediumship, sound healing, reiki, and anything else I feel called to create.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The beach, great sushi, Olympic Day spa, a concert at the Hollywood Bowl, and dinner at any one of the hundreds of amazing restaurants in LA. Yay!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My husband, Toby. It’s through the ten-year span of our relationship that I have found the safety in which to heal, to discover my own worth, and to become a lighthouse for others. He is my rock, my sounding board, my editor, my love.

I’m also incredibly grateful to Kathy Eldon of Creative Visions Foundation and Barb Groth of the Nomadic School of Wonder – both women have been my champions, my clients, my friends, and two of my biggest sources of wisdom and encouragement.

I’ve been fortunate in my life, and while it’s been challenging and I’ve put in the work, I am incredibly grateful for the people who gave me a chance when I most needed one: Cyndee McCarthy, Joe Orr, Harley Rinzler, and many others.

Website: www.kyle-creative.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/kylecreative

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyhollingsworth/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mkyle.hollingsworth/

Other: https://www.linktr.ee/M_Kyle_Hollingsworth

Image Credits
Isabelle Najera