This interview speaks volumes about the fight a creative feels about their passion for their craft and the reality of life. But we felt so inspired speaking to Kyra about her determination to find herself again with her creativity. Something I think every new mum feels at some stage, whether creative or not.
Kyra is a super talented illustrator and has recently started Tones by Kyra , she is one of the many creatives in small business who are giving it a go, something we love supporting.
Getting to know Kyra was so lovely, she is such a down to earth, super hard working mum and we hope you stop and take the time to check out her work.
Kyra is wearing our Odette dress in white throughout this piece.
Tell us a bit about you? Where are you from? Who’s in your family?
My names Kyra, I’m a Sydney based part time artist who is beyond blessed to have 2 beautiful children, Blair who is 4 and full of life which is my partners gorgeous daughter from a previous relationship and our son Tate who is 9 months old and forever smiling. My partner Rhys to whom I’m forever grateful for and our 3 dogs who I consider kids too {haha} Phillip the Dachshund, Winston the Schnoxie (Dachshund/Schnauzer) and Frank the Pug.
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What is your background and how did you get to where you are today?
Its funny, I actually have a Cert 3 in Music industry which is what I studied out of High School, I think I thought I was going to be a singer {haha} but then took a turn and went into a family photography studio which then led to sales which is my role now.
After having my son last year though I kind of pulled my finger out and decided it was about time I did something I really enjoyed which then started Tones by Kyra. It was a gamble (still is) but I’m loving it!
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Tell us about your journey, how did you get into illustrating? Have you always loved drawing/creating?
I’ve always been drawn to anything to do with creativity! I loved all the art subjects in school, I was hugely into photography and my first job out of school was working in a family photography studio, which was great but eventually I went a different way. It wasn’t actually until I bought my first dog Phillip back in 2018 that I started drawing again out of school (almost 10 years) so he was definitely my inspiration to start up pet portraits. I’ve had a lot of trial and error to get to where I am now and even so I’m constantly trying to better my style!
Drawing is a huge outlet for me. There are definitely times I doubt myself and my skill but I’m getting better at reminding myself where I started to where I am now and what I’ve been able to accomplish in a short amount of time so it’s a really good feeling! I have a few exciting projects in the works which I’m so excited to see in action so I feel like this year is going to be big.
What is do you find the hardest part about motherhood/ motherhood in business?
Not feeling like I’m spending enough time with my little ones, I feel like I’m going to miss important milestones and I find myself getting upset regularly. It was such a blow when I had to go back to my 9-5 office job. Although it’s a great company and I have the flexibility to work from home 2 days a week, having to put my little guy in day-care for the other 3 was hard. I do my drawings when he goes to sleep at night which makes it hard to juggle having enough time with my partner and getting in enough drawing for content, it just makes it hard as with the cost of living now we have to work to be able to afford anything and I always want to be able to provide for our kids. Its such a crazy time.
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Where do you seek inspiration?
Instagram! I have a few favourite artists who I am in awe of who are very different style wise to my work but it keeps me going!
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What do you do when you have a creative block?
Reset. If I’m having some trouble creatively then ill usually end up doing a big clean. Whether that be my art space or the house is dependant on how I’m feeling {haha}. Also playing with the kids and just focusing on them for a day is a good reset!
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If you could offer new mamas one piece of advice it would be...?
YOU’VE GOT THIS! Honestly enjoy and cherish every moment and don’t be so hard yourself.
"Also make sure you get photos with your little one, too often I find that mums loose out on the cute family photos because they are the ones taking them, so instead buy a cheap tripod, put your phone on timer and snap some cute pictures, If you want an easy backdrop use a white sheet and hang it behind you! Trust me you’ll thank yourself later!"
What are your plans for Tones by Kyra and where do you hope to be in 12 months time?
I would love nothing more than to turn this into full time work, to be able to have a good work/life balance and to just really enjoy what I do, I’m hoping to get there eventually but would mean I would need around 15 commissions a week to be able to really consider moving it to full time, it sounds like such a small number but with my drawings its not usually something people come back for time and time again, it’s more of a one off purchase, but hey a girl can dream!
In 12 months I’m just really hoping to be more established, I have a few exciting things in the works which may open a couple of doors and am constantly contacting new people for collab opportunities, so fingers crossed 2023 is a good one.
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What are four things you can’t live without?
1. My family, goes without saying really.
2. My dogs, especially Phillip. He’s gotten me through some hard times and I honestly don’t know what I would do without him.
3. My phone, not just for the social media/staying connected part but for my camera, I’m constantly taking photos and taking inspiration from photos, I think I have about 40,000 images on my phone.
4. And wine, I love a hard earnt wine at the end of the day! :P
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What do you want your kids to learn about the world?
This ones hard! I’ve been stuck on this for too long. I have so many things I want for our kids but honestly don’t know how to put it into words!
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What’s on your manifest board?
Dogs hahaha literally, I have magazines, books, images just everything and it’s all dogs. I’m forever inspired by the beautiful creatures they are! I wish I could draw every dog I have an image of but I feel like my hands would fall off.
Follow along with Kyra and her beautiful business at @tonesbykyra
Or to shop a piece of Kyras illustrations visit her website.
Shop the Odette worn above here.