IN CONVERSATION WITH: JOY AND MASON KINNA
You recently moved from Vancouver to Victoria - how has the natural environment here inspired your creative process?
Being even closer to the coast and surrounded by ocean, the natural world brings daily inspiration into my work but also just life. A contentment with our surroundings and a constant ability to draw from inspiration.
Your studio was filled with artifacts, stones, and memorabilia. Explain the importance of filling your space with objects that inspire you.
Yes! I believe the things we surround ourselves with have the ability to inspire us but also act as reminders. Reminders of beauty, form, composition, texture, colour etc. all little bits of research. I often have items from the natural world in my studio to continue to draw my eye to the organic forms that inspire my work.
How do you maintain a work life balance as an artist?
As a creative in general I feel like there’s never really a perfect balance. Your work is so entangled in your life and experiences. Your mind is always drawing connections and making notes. That being said, the business side of my work has boundaries for sure. Evenings and weekends are sacred time, rest is key! (But also flexibility!! Taking week days off in slow seasons and working the odd weekend in busy seasons).
What’s your biggest challenge at the moment?
The balance between self representation and gallery representation. Finding the sweet spot.
What’s your go-to spot in town for coffee / lunch? Anything you’ve been wanting to try out but haven’t gotten around to yet?
Hey Happy is a classic. A few others - torch song, saint Cecelia (these are our spots because we can walk to them from the studio).
For lunch: dumpling drop, superbaba, rudi
How do you set the mood for creating in the studio ? Do you have a certain ritual / routine / playlist?
Music always. Something lit: incense, candle etc. a daily city walk or coffee break
It seems like a full family effort, what’s your favourite part about working with your husband and having your children along for the ride?
Absolutely. I never would have dreamed my art would or could expand the way it has, but it’s a gift and honestly a dream that I didn’t know I had. Having my kids around has shifted the way I view our family / education / success etc. Both of my kids are in hybrid school programs offering them home learning, outdoor learning and some really beautiful enriching experiences that is made possible by the flexibility of our lifestyle. My husband studied business and his skills have been helpful in managing so much of what happens so that I can focus on creating.
You mentioned taking some time off this summer - what does that look like as a full time artist?
Honestly you never truly “take time off” fully. As an artist when the right projects come along you don’t say no, but we do have designated time though the summer to allow work to pile up and we work hard pre / post vacation time to allow for it. But my time off looks like beach hopping, summer markets, ocean swims, playing around with simple reno projects and my film camera.
Vancouver Island, Canada
May 2025
Canon F1, Kodak Portra 400