JOY KINNA | PART II

Catching up with Joy feels like reconnecting with an old friend who has exciting new stories to share. When we last spoke in 2021, she was based in Vancouver and navigating life with two young daughters. Fast forward a few years, and her world looks wonderfully different - she and her family have relocated to Vancouver Island, where they’re embracing a slower pace of life by the beach.

Between settling into new studio spaces, finding inspiration in island living, and balancing motherhood with her thriving art practice, Joy’s journey is a beautiful testament to resilience, creativity, and the power of community. We’re thrilled to share this glimpse into her life’s new chapter.

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It's nice to catch up, your life looks a lot different than it did last time we interviewed you... Tell us a bit about yourself and your family and how life has changed for you since relocating to Vancouver Island?

Yes! It's pretty wild what a few years can do. My family and I just moved to Vancouver Island and are so happy here. My husband and I are raising our two daughters close to the beach and they are enjoying forest school here. We are slowly getting my studio locations sorted and production back in action. It's everything we hoped for.

What are the challenges and joys you have found since moving to a smaller community on the island?

Often when you make a big jump (in the right direction) it feels like life can push back at you. Although we had so much peace moving and everything fell into place with the home we bought, our new studio spaces etc, the early weeks were really hard. It felt like we had hit a string of bad luck and when it rains it pours!!

Thankfully it was in the summer months and we coped by holding off renos, doing our bare minimum to survive some days and spending down time recouping at the beach. In lighter news, we are so enjoying the community here. We have been welcomed warmly and have made so many beautiful connections so far. This has been one thing we have so appreciated about the island is the love for community and people genuinely want to help and support each other. Small town vibes for sure.



How has your move influenced your creative process or the themes in your art?

Oooof. Different seasons influence my work more than I realize sometimes. I definitely took a larger break from painting than usual this summer. My capacity was really taken up with the move and some pressing projects. I didn't have a lot of time for free play and creativity in the studio, which I really missed. That being said, when I was able to jump back in the fall, I feel like my work just exploded and I was painting more free than I had in a long time. I find my studio spaces influence my work in big ways. It takes time to settle into a new space and groove.

What was the process like to find your new showroom? Why did you pick this space in the end/was there a special reason behind this choice?

I had been looking at spaces for a few months and nothing clicked. For the showroom I wanted concrete floors and white walls. I connected with The Found Studio years ago through our online community and she happened to be looking for a space at the same time. Someone approached her with a 4400 sq ft space and now we share it. This space has turned into a beautiful showroom for my art and her reimagined vintage. We have hosted some events, rentals and so on. I recently found my painting studio downtown in a loft. I am thrilled with both spaces.



Have your new surroundings on the island inspired any new projects or directions for your work?

Yes!!! The lifestyle on the island is really refreshing and I think it’s allowing me to reset my nervous system after a few wild years. Taking it back to the basics. Getting in nature. Healing the inside out and soaking in inspiration. It is bursting in many facets of life here.

With your kids a bit older now, has their relationship or their involvement in your art changed? 

My youngest is now three and I feel like I am just coming out of the haze that motherhood has been in the early years. The early years are so sweet and beautiful but it's honestly really special moving into a new phase with the girls and our lives together. They come to the studio and spend time painting, playing and doing their own thing. Because my husband works with me at the studio full time and my daughters are in part time forest school and part time home learning, my career and art practice is very much a part of our family and daily life. 

What are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about creativity and resilience over the past three years? 

Rest + boundaries. If you don't take breaks in your career, work, life etc. rest will find you. It's such a hard balance as a mother and entrepreneur but prioritizing rest and care for yourself in small ways is key. Boundaries is a hard one and something I still struggle to find the balance with. As a recovering people pleaser I am finding the value and importance in really setting the boundaries of life around you. Whether it's in relationship to work, social life, connections that aren't life giving etc. 

We’re honoured that you’ve worn our pieces these past couple of years. Which is your current favourite hj piece?

I'm always a fan of hj and genuinely get so excited to see what magic Laïla comes up with each release. I am really enjoying the Doll blouse. It feels like the perfect piece when you want to go for a simple yet elevated outfit. The knitwear is also very special - I have been eyeing the Groove sweater and have been enjoying my striped sweater from last season all year round.

It’s a new year, which means new destination plans for some – what are your dream travel plans for this year?

Yes! I think we have a few work things lined up this year, maybe LA, NYC again? I'm considering another Europe trip but honestly after a few busy years of travel we might be taking a slower year in the travel department. (You never know). We end up travelling for work a decent amount but this might be the year we just vacation instead. 

What are you most excited about in this next chapter of your life and career?

Getting grounded and settled again. I truly think it will take a few years to really get settled in a new city and space to the fullest. The last few years it has felt like life has been racing by. The business of raising kids, my business evolving and growing.

I am really looking forward to savouring the year ahead. We won't be moving and all the growing pains are dying down. I am really looking forward to recouping, resting, and having a bit more of a low key year. (Sounds boring but it feels needed!)

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Joy wears our Doll Blouse with our Prairie Skirt

You can explore her work on her website and follow her Instagram accounts here and here.