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

Hi Karen, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Although society often sends the message, both directly and subtly, that artists and creatives lack value, the truth is that the world urgently needs us to rise above this toxic narrative. A better world simply isn’t possible without artists. We are entrusted with the task of helping others feel deeply, envision new possibilities, see the broader perspective, and brave the messy, unpredictable work of making those visions a reality!

To be an artist, to work creatively, is nothing short of revolutionary. It demands the courage to defy norms, to live differently, to challenge accepted values, and to bare your soul with each new creation. I serve this purpose through the stories I illustrate, the paintings I bring to life, and the artists and creatives I empower through coaching and classes.

My work isn’t just for those who identify as artists, though. I help anyone activate their creativity to achieve meaningful goals. The more people realize their innate creativity, the more empowered they become to shape purposeful lives. They can be better partners, parents, colleagues, and leaders. They can respond to their true callings, creating positive ripples in every community they touch!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am a multi-passionate creative. I’ve grown to accept that what I do will never fit perfectly into a box 🙂

Foundational to all my work in the world is my art-making. I am a professional artist who creates paintings and illustrates books through my company, Studio Light Illustration. I am also a teacher and creative coach who helps people make a bigger impact with their work by activating their creativity around their challenges with my coaching company, HowDoodle.

I have a particular passion for working with creatives and creative businesses in my coaching work. Combining my experience working as a professional artist and over two decades in education including executive function skill-building, I have learned a lot about the creative brain – what works for it and what doesn’t. Many of my clients are neurodiverse creatives or businesses who are learning to embrace a neurodiverse workforce. This is so exciting because once people understand how to work with these differences, they realize there is so much to gain!

In my illustration work, I am passionate about working with self-publishing authors. This is because we can be in a co-creative process together! My coaching comes into play here as I include vision sessions and creative marketing sessions in my illustration packages. Self-publishing means that the author gets to retain creative rights and the sky is the limit!

Through my painting, I want the viewer to have mystical experiences. Oftentimes they are inspired by creatures that cross my path in waking life and in dreams. I love to explore the messages they have to share through layered color and mixed media that comes off the canvas in various ways. I hope they can be a source of contemplation and inspiration with deep meaning and playful lines!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m am lucky enough to live in one of my favorite spots in Cincinnati. When out-of-town guests visit, I take them on a long walk through my neighborhood. First we head across the street to Eden Park, taking in the view of the Ohio river and enjoying the energy of all the people who love to hang out there. Then, we mosey down the street to the Krohn Conservatory. I especially love it during the butterfly and holiday shows!

Continuing our walk, we pass by other parts of the park where people are rock climbing, playing basketball, and running around beautiful Mirror Lake where one of the city’s water basins used to be. Next, we go further up the hill and walk into the Cincinnati Art Museum which is free for everyone every day! I enjoy it at any time, but it is especially fun to attend one of their Art After Dark parties which happen every month. We can continue on to enjoy a variety of breweries, coffee shops, and yummy restaurants nearby.

Moving beyond my neighborhood, I love to take people on local hikes at places like French Park and Ault Park. If they like to dance, I would take them to the Thursday night swing dance at Exhibition Hall in Northside. Clifton Gaslight and Over-the-Rhine have endless food and drink options and are amazing walkable neighborhoods.

I would not be a good host if I did not offer to take them to several Cincinnati staples: Skyline Chili and Graeter’s Ice Cream!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
When I was a senior in high school (26 years ago) a friend gave me Inspiration Sandwich by SARK. This artist, writer, and wild, soulful woman has been an inspiration ever since, accompanying me through all her subsequent books and more! SARK is authentic through-and-through. Her playful spirit coupled with her real, vulnerable conversation about challenging, meaningful things helped me to explore my inner depths and I aspire to do the same in my work. Not to mention, she introduced me to other amazing artists and poets like Rumi and Walt Whitman. Every time I read one of her books, I journey into myself and come away lit up with ideas.

Website: https://linktr.ee/karenlight

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@howdoodle

Other: https://doodlediary.substack.com/

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