Today we’d like to introduce you to Kira Brought.
Hi Kira, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hi! I’m Kira. I’m a former military brat that was born in New York and raised all along the east coast until my family decided to retire in Arkansas. I’m a University of Arkansas graduate with a Bachelors of Arts in Communication, and am a leader in logistics software development in my career. I started my journey with @badgirlclubart in 2019 after losing my big brother, Justin, to his battle to addiction. After his passing, people found out about his struggles and judged me and my family and labeled me a “bad girl”. So I decided to flip the script and create art empowering women no matter their backgrounds or life choices, while honoring my brother and educating others on addiction resources in partnership with Northwest Arkansas Harm Reduction. My work can be purchased at any of these Northwest Arkansas locations in addition to my Etsy/website – The Boho Boutique (Fayetteville, AR), Kaleidoscope Collective (Rogers, AR), Emma Bar and Tap (Springdale, AR), and The Odd Soul (Springdale, AR). Outside of work and art, you can catch me volunteering my heart out! I love giving back to my community by teaching art at the Northwest Arkansas Children’s shelter (proudly since 2018).
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I wouldn’t say its been smooth, I have had struggles along the way – but its good struggle in my opinion. As an artist, I had to grow thicker skin and understand my art isn’t for everyone! And thats okay! I have learned to accept the no’s but keep trying. I have had issues with judgement on the name I chose @badgirlclubart – which is kind of the purpose of me choosing that name – to break down the stigma. To those people I respond, you are part of the inspiration. And judgement from other artists in the community not putting me on the same level as them due to me not working on just art full time or my work not being up to their standards.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My work is bright, colorful, mostly pop culture references. I started by painting true bad girls, girls smoking or drinking, etc. But then it grew to painting everyone, because everyone is worth celebrating. I choose neon colors in my work to send the message that we are more than we are and more than we appear to be. Just like my brother was more than his choices, more than his illness. I am most proud of the conversation I have been able to open in my community to spread more education on harm reduction practices, and I think that work is also something that sets me apart!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The most important lesson I have learned is art doesn’t always fly off the shelf, sometimes it takes the right person showing up and loving it. I would rather have someone buy my art and be so excited to own it than someone who isn’t going to appreciate it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.badgirlclubart.com/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/badgirlclubart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/badgirlclubart
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-brought-b82892119
Image Credits
Elizabeth Salazar – Arkansas Photographer
instagram.com/elizabethsalazarphotography
