Korie Pickett Talks Creativity, Community & The Power of Healing

Korie Pickett, AKA KP, AKA The Hustle Queen came alive in her 25th year of living. After a lifelong passion for photography, she created KPFEELFOTOS with the vision and intention of capturing fotos full of feeling. 

KPFEELFOTOS started as a photo project on the streets of Broadripple, IN where Korie took photos of strangers and then asked them how the experience of having their photos taken felt for them. Taking fotos of strangers evolved into taking fotos of her loved ones. Fotos of loved ones evolved into new friendships and events full of music and passion. KP then used her marketing and business education to help other artists like herself expand their careers. 

KP prides herself on being a facilitator of growth and promoter of passion, and she has continued to grow her creative businesses, including QUEEN SPIRIT MAGAZINE, born from healing, and QUEEN KP ORIGINALS, unique jewelry to be worn with emotion.

In 2020 KP received the "Artist of the Year" award from Nickel Plate Arts in Noblesville, IN for her constant commitment to living a creative life. She was also able to found and establish Queen Spirit, INC.; a nonprofit entity that is committed to creative movements that save lives by creating avenues for creatives of all mediums to live more sustainable lives through their artistry.

We sat down virtually with KP at the end of the hellish year that was 2020 to learn more about her work and creative processes as an artist. Read our interview below to gain some insight and inspiration for 2021.

How are you feeling right now?

Weirdly and wildly excited. I just came out of a depressive state and I’m feeling the high of joy and thanksgiving after a low.

Your platform is built on the statement, “creative movements save lives.” Can you tell us what that statement means to you?

Creativity has consistently saved my life, whether it be from helping me through the biggest griefs or my life, celebrating my victories, or helping me through my depression. Every time I meet or talk with another creative person, that is typically their experience as well. Art is my therapy, so I have committed to honoring all that creativity, or creative moments can do for me and my well being. I once wrote on one of those “before you die” boards that I wanted to “start a creative moment that saved at least one person’s life.” I didn’t realize that one person would be myself.

What do you want everyone to know about Queen Spirit Magazine?

Queen Spirit Magazine is by creatives for creatives. It’s a quarterly print publication full of magic from paintings to affirmations to journal prompts to music...basically, every creative medium rolled into a zine. It’s a space for creatives to be published and see their work in a tangible way. Most issues also focus on healing in some way. The latest issue is themed “What Got Us Through,” so it focuses on a lot of how to move through the hard realities of life as well as how creativity sustains us.

What do you want everyone to know about Queen KP Originals?

I started making jewelry because I was angry and boxing didn’t work for me. Hammering out my emotions was apparently what I needed. Art therapy won me over again! I often say “wear it how you feel it” with jewelry or fashion. So, a lot of the pieces I make or am commissioned to make, are affirmations or reminders for people to wear and see on the regular. I often stamp out whatever I need to speak over myself. I also started working with silverware because I am a Spoonie (someone who suffers from chronic pain or illness), so it fits with my lifestyle as well as being fashionable. Some days I can barely walk, so being able to have the strength to bend metal shows me that I’m still capable.

What is your favorite artistic medium to work in?

This is a hard question for me because it really depends on my present needs. Today, words are my favorite artistic medium. I love writing and reading and getting lost in the world of words while finding meaning in my feelings and the world around me.

How do you get yourself in the headspace to create?

I have stopped trying to get myself into the headspace to create. I used to force it so much, and I would end up hating whatever I made. Now, I understand that if I take care of my vessel, the creativity will flow through me how it needs. Basically, I just gotta get out of my own way.

At the beginning of your documentary Queen KP, there is a quote from Paul Robeson, “Artists are the gatekeepers of truth.” What does that quote mean to you?

Artists have been a huge factor in the way culture shifts and the way the world perceives people, places, and things. As artists, we have the power to create something from nothing. We are able to reach people in their emotions—in the places of themselves that actually make a difference. Creators are often truth seekers, and in seeking we are able to tell the stories that need to be told.

What is the significance of community in your life?

Community is everything to me. I often say that I have been adopted by many. It has truly taken a village to raise me, and I am still being raised. I wouldn’t be anywhere without the love and support of my community.

What and/or who inspires you?

Everything. I see meaning in all things from the way a flower grows alone to the way my partner laughs at his own jokes. I’ve come to learn that whenever I am in a moment, it is for me, so I need to enjoy it to the fullest in order to take away from it and create new moments.

What is a mantra you have for yourself?

“Have the day that you deserve.” I said this daily in the beginning stages of my healing. I would always step into each day welcoming whatever was supposed to happen or whatever I was supposed to receive.

What is the biggest lesson you learned in 2020?

ANYTHING is possible and some hardships are actually blessings.

What are your top three book recommendations?

OOOF. Only THREE?! Octavia Butler’s Parable sequel (I’m counting that as one), The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery, and A Garden of Black Joy: Global Poetry from the Edges of Liberation of Living. Now that I’m thinking of all of these they are really a great triple threat. You’ve got your sci-fi, your adventure with life lessons and poetry. I’m proud of myself right now.

What are your top five small business recommendations?

First up: coffee. Support local coffee businesses over corporations all day every day. I could give you a list, but I’d rather just do a disclaimer and encourage people to shop small for their caffeinated treats.

Tattoos by Terin aka @imfromindiana. I’m biased, but he’s a pretty brilliant tattoo artist. Also, Critter Swamp in Hillsborough, NC. (Shameless plug for my partner’s business).

Soul Sister Apothecary: I use their Comfrey every single day. They are also just incredible humans.

Books! Shop small for books, too. I have been to SO many independent bookstores, so I’m not gonna make a list here either, but shop small in this world too!

Aaaaand . . . Miss Jessies. They are way bigger than they used to be, but they keep my hair RIGHT.

Do you have any advice for creative visionaries like you?

Just keep going. There are so many moments where it feels like everything is falling apart, but really that’s when you’re building your strength and resiliency in order for everything to fall together.

If you’d like to support the next issue of Queen Spirit Magazine, Venmo Korie at @queenspiritinc.