Following Her Intuition: How Kim Sales’ Corporate Exit Led to a Rediscovery of Her Creative Superpowers

Rediscovering a forgotten joy led to a new path filled with painting, teaching, and joy.

From the outside, Kim Sales was living the dream, climbing the corporate ladder. On the inside, however, she felt stuck and unfulfilled. Then, a chance burst of inspiration set her on a journey to becoming an “intuitive painter,” a meditative approach to art focused on trusting your inner voice. As Kim rediscovered her love of painting and creative expression, she parlayed that joy into a gallery and teaching business, Lantern Light Studio. Offering fun, casual, and judgment-free courses open to artists of all skill levels, Kim has dedicated herself to helping others reignite their creative spark all while producing her own striking body of work.

How and when did you figure out that art was your passion? 

Art has always been my passion and my life preserver. I started creating because I loved the way it made me feel – light and full of joy. In first grade, my teacher told me I was different and viewed things differently than the other children – I was dyslexic. I was going to have to work harder than everybody else in order to learn, communicate, and thrive. However, I could always escape thought art and creativity because the brain that made reading and writing difficult also gave me the gift to think and problem-solve very quickly. This is when I knew that art was my super power, and it became my life preserver. Dyslexia didn’t form me – I formed it, using it to supercharge my creativity not only on the canvas, but also in how I approach everything in life.

THE HAND IS THE OLDEST FORM OF MARK-MAKING ON THE PLANET. HAND DRAWINGS AND CARVINGS ARE FOUND ON CAVE WALLS DATING BACK THOUSANDS OF YEARS. PEOPLE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO MAKE THEIR MARK AND LEAVE BEHIND THE IMAGE OF HOW THEY UNIQUELY TOUCHED THE WORLD. 
 

Can you tell us a little bit about intuitive painting?

Intuitive painting is following the breadcrumbs of your soul using intention and listening to what lights you up inside. It’s all about the process and the journey, not the end product. I use painting to connect to a flow state or, to put it in another way, a meditative state. When you are in the flow of painting, you are fully present in the moment and not thinking about anything else. Flow is that feeling you get when you lose all track of time and your brain releases chemicals that lower your stress levels. 

Following the intuitive process has freed me to create paintings I never dreamed of creating before. I stopped listening to all the other schools of thought on what an artist is or should be and I started listening to myself and why I love to create in the first place. I have even used glitter in a few paintings! “Real” artists don’t use glitter, but this one does!

What prompted you to make the leap from your corporate job to starting Lantern Light Studios?

I have a BFA from MCAD and worked professionally for advertising, publishing, and retail companies in various creative positions for over three decades. I loved it for the most part, but as I climbed the ladder, it became more about reports, ROI, and spreadsheets, and less about why I connected to art and creativity in the first place. I missed that feeling of joy. 

I was in my office overlooking downtown Minneapolis, staring at the skyline from a cubicle, stressed out, and it hit me – this is so far from where I set out to be. Where had my super power gone?

Years ago, I stopped painting and drawing but, as I was sitting there, I heard it – the small voice inside that whispered: “Start painting, just try it again. What do you have to lose?”

When I picked up the paintbrush and started to create again, it fed my soul and actually made me better at my day job. When I was laid off last year, I looked at it as a gift. I researched and took classes that spoke to me on how to marry my art with a new life path of creating art and sharing creativity. Now, I use the coaching and mentoring skills I learned in my corporate life and marry them with the Creatively Fit Coaching program to teach art as a meditation tool to relieve stress and improve well-being.

Intuitive painting is a practice and a process, not a product-driven journey. For the classes I have created, no painting experience or talent is required – the journey is more about shedding your own limiting beliefs and opening the door to curiosity and willingness to try something new. Saying YES to creativity and its joyful effects will surprise and delight you. It allows you to remember that inner child who didn’t need permission to create, they simply did it.

What do you see in the future for your art?

Currently I am working on a series on animal totems or spirit animals as described by various cultures. The energy and symbology these creatures have to teach is more important now than ever. I paint the animals and create intuitive painting courses based on each animal’s unique gifts. For example, Elephant Energy is a course that familiarizes you with the process of intuitive painting. Elephants embody the divine feminine as the matriarchal leaders for their herds, displaying the compassion and strength of their community – we need more of that!

ELEPHANTS ARE THE ULTIMATE SYMBOLS OF STRENGTH AND ENDURANCE. THE MATRIARCH WILL LEAD HER HERD THROUGH JUNGLE AND DESERT TOWARD WATER AND FOOD SOURCES. SHE REMEMBERS EVERYTHING PASSED DOWN THROUGH THE HERD AND ELDERS, WHICH SERVES THE HERD AND ALLOWS HER TO RECALL MEMORIES OF FRIEND OR FOE. ELEPHANTS SHOW COMPASSION AND BOTH HONOR AND MOURN THEIR DEAD.

We are all creators, and the best way to create anything is with intention. Say YES to yourself! Start your side hustle! Give yourself permission to paint, bake, run, dance--whatever that thing is that brings you the most joy. I worked corporate and painted for years before I started Lantern Light Studio, and now I look back and realize the only thing holding me back was my own limiting beliefs. Creativity takes courage. Look at your vision through the lens of love, not fear.

I didn’t put my art out there for years because of fear, and as a result, I put anything and everything before my painting--laundry, cleaning the house, you name it.

House dust can wait, but your self-care and soul can’t! Take small steps and be kind to yourself. Start with 5 minutes and a doodle during your coffee break. By simply showing up and focusing on what brings you joy, you are speaking your authentic truth. Stop worrying about what everyone else thinks or are doing. This is your journey--you make the rules!

Many are seeking inspiration in these challenging times. Can you suggest some resources for tapping into creativity and authenticity regardless of the type of work someone is doing day-to-day?

There are multiple Ted talks and studies on the link between creativity and authenticity. Here are a few of my favorites.

David Kelley’s Ted Talk on confidence

Elizabeth Gilberts Ted Talk on feeling overwhelmed.

Elizabeth Gilbert’s Ted Talk on Creative Genius