Meet Kim Justice of Paradox Artist Collective

 

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kim Justice. 

Hi Kim, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Art has always been a huge part of my life. As a relatively quiet and introverted person, I rely on many different forms of art to express myself, and always appreciate seeing others do the same. So, when I got the opportunity to work at an art museum while I was in college, I jumped at the chance. I spent 13 years there and worked my way up from café attendant to assistant manager and buyer for the museum shop. I was so grateful for the opportunity to be surrounded by art every day and be able to meet and work with some incredibly well-known artists. But my absolute favorite part was getting to seek out new, up-and-coming artists and crafters and do my best to showcase their work and help their art businesses thrive. The excitement on the faces of artists when we said we wanted to sell their work in an art museum store was always so much fun to see. As an artist myself, I know the feeling of being recognized for your talent and it was amazing to be able to give that encouragement to others. I absolutely loved so many facets of that job. So, when I left in October of 2021 due to some ongoing personnel issues, I didn’t know what to do. I didn’t want to quit my job. I loved what I did, and everything else I was seeing in the job market paled in comparison to it. So, then I thought, why not start my own version of a museum shop? I had already been selling my own artwork online and in local shops under the name Paradox Art & Design for years. A good majority of my friends were artists doing the same. So, why not start a store to promote the work of all of these talented people? I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. I had been running the museum shop with my friend and former manager, Cory Potter, for over a decade. I knew how to run a retail website. I knew how to find artists. It just made sense. Paradox Artist Collective (paradoxartistco.com) was born 4 months later in February of 2022 with 11 incredible artists. Now we’re coming up on our one-year anniversary with 17 artists on board and I’m sure there will be many more to come in the future! 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. As many small business owners will tell you, building something out of nothing is difficult and unpredictable. But I am extremely lucky and privileged to have a husband, family, and friends who have shown nothing but support and encouragement. Some months, sales are great. Others, I have spent more on advertising than I made in sales. Some craft shows are really successful, others are a bust, and you never really know which way it will go. As someone who loves consistency and predictability, it has been really hard to let go of control and trust the process. Sometimes plans and ideas don’t work out as I had hoped. I’ve spent a lot of days asking myself if I’m crazy for doing this instead of getting a job with a dependable paycheck. But I truly believe in the importance of making and sharing art, and that’s what I’m here to do. So, I’ll keep it going. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Paradox Artist Collective is an online store specializing in handmade art and products from independent artists and businesses all across the United States. We have a little bit of everything from one-of-a-kind home decor to art prints, handmade jewelry, and accessories to notecards and stickers. As a whole, we all tend to lean more toward the unusual with our art styles. Some pieces are dark and moody, some are quirky and adorable, some are bright and flamboyant, and some are just pretty dang hilarious. These artists are a delightful mix of weirdos and I wouldn’t have it any other way. 

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Check out our weird little world at paradoxartistco.com and use code VOYAGE for 10% off at checkout now through June 2023! We also set up at craft shows in the Flint, Ann Arbor, and Detroit areas from time to time, so be sure to follow us on Instagram @paradoxartistco and Facebook @Paradox Artist Collective to stay up to date on upcoming shows. 

Contact Info:

• Website: Paradoxartistco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/paradoxartistco
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paradoxartistco/