Today we’d like to introduce you to Kiersten Williams.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Kiersten Nicole Williams, a multidisciplinary artist, muralist, and creative consultant born and raised in Memphis, TN. Creativity has always been a natural part of who I am — I was that kid who saw stories in colors, made sculptures out of scraps, and could find beauty in the smallest details. That passion was nurtured at Overton High School for the Visual and Performing Arts, and while I initially pursued a more traditional path, earning a degree in Business Management from the University of Memphis, I eventually chose to follow what had always been in my soul: art.
I sold three paintings at my first art show — and that was the spark. I’ve spent over 20 years building a creative life on my own terms. I’ve evolved, stretched, and found my voice through every canvas, mural, and project. In 2024, I was honored to receive the prestigious Emmett O’Ryan Award for Artistic Inspiration, presented by ArtsMemphis. It’s one of the largest visual arts awards in Tennessee and recognizes both artistic excellence and deep community impact. For me, it affirmed that choosing my own path — even when unconventional — leads to meaningful and beautiful places.
I’m also the mother of a brilliant and beautiful daughter, Namarah Kaye. She’s already an artist in her own right — wildly imaginative and full of wonder — and I’m guiding her not just as a parent, but as someone who knows how essential it is to nurture a creative spirit from an early age. Watching her grow her voice has been one of the most inspiring parts of my journey.
Beyond the canvas, my creativity shows up in many forms — as a DJ curating sound for spaces, a gardener transforming outdoor environments, and a mixologist crafting sensory experiences with herbs from my own garden. I am an artist — creator of beauty in all forms. I believe art isn’t just something we make — it’s something we live.
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is the power of choosing yourself — again and again. Even when it’s uncomfortable, even when others don’t fully understand your vision. Every opportunity I’ve created began with that choice: to trust my path, honor my voice, and let it lead the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely had its twists and turns. One of the biggest challenges was learning to stand firm in my identity as both an artist and a businesswoman. Early on, people either wanted me to “just be creative” or focus strictly on business — but I’ve always existed at the intersection of both. It took time to fully embrace that my artistic voice is valuable and that my creative work deserves to be treated with the same professionalism and respect as any other career.
Another ongoing challenge has been navigating the dual worlds of public art and gallery work. I’m deeply rooted in community spaces, but I also present work in more traditional fine art settings. Switching between the two requires a constant mental and logistical shift — different materials, different timelines, different expectations. Most of my public art is site-specific, so when it’s not, I have to find alternative spaces to create large-scale work. Studio space is limited, so more often than not, I paint in my garden — when the weather allows. That outdoor space has become a kind of sanctuary, but it also speaks to the improvisation required to keep creating without access to the same resources others might take for granted.
Being a muralist is also extremely labor-intensive. It’s physical work. I’m often climbing ladders, lifting heavy materials, assembling scaffolding, and painting with my whole body. People sometimes forget that creating large-scale public art is more than creative vision — it’s construction, endurance, and engineering. As a woman, I’ve had to constantly challenge assumptions that I can’t “handle” the work. Men are often surprised to see me show up, lead the project, and execute it from start to finish. I bring not only skill, but strength — and still, I have to prove myself in ways many men do not.
I also have to be mindful of my safety when working in unfamiliar or under-resourced spaces. That’s a reality many women in this field face — making sure we’re aware of our surroundings, especially when we’re working alone or in public.
Visibility and sustainability are real challenges too — especially in a world that often overlooks artists who center community. I’ve had to create my own opportunities, build trust, and sometimes fund my vision long before others recognized its value. But that journey has made me more resourceful, intentional, and resilient.
And of course, balancing motherhood with a creative career has shaped everything — it’s taught me to work in seasons, to be flexible, and to create even when conditions aren’t ideal. All of these experiences have sharpened my voice and deepened my commitment to making art that’s authentic, grounded, and alive in the world.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work is rooted in storytelling, beauty, and transformation. I’m a multidisciplinary artist who creates mixed-media paintings, murals, and site-specific installations that explore themes like femininity, motherhood, identity, memory, and the complexity of being. For me, art is both a personal practice and a public offering — it lives in the gallery and on the street, in intimate spaces and shared environments.
I often describe my work as Beautiful Chaos — a term I coined to reflect the harmony found within contrast. My artistic process involves layering — not just of material, but of meaning. I use collage, color, texture, photography, and pattern to create emotionally resonant works that invite viewers to feel, reflect, and connect. Color is one of my greatest tools — it helps shape mood, energy, and story.
After 20 years in this field, I’ve developed a creative voice that is both intuitive and precise. I create not just for aesthetics, but for impact. My murals live in hospitals, schools, barbershops, restaurants, parks, and community centers throughout Memphis and beyond. I’ve been honored to collaborate with neighborhoods like Alcy Ball, where my public art reflects not just my vision, but the soul of the community. These pieces aren’t just decoration — they’re cultural markers, memory-holders, and conversation starters.
I also design and lead art workshops centered around creativity, healing, and empowerment — from intergenerational mural projects to skill-building with youth and elders. Whether I’m working with teen girls, seniors, or small business owners, my goal is always to create spaces where people feel seen, celebrated, and reflected.
As I often say, “I am an artist — creator of beauty in all forms.” My creativity shows up in every part of my life: from landscaping and gardening to curating soundscapes as a DJ, or mixing cocktails infused with herbs from my own garden. Art is not just something I do — it’s the way I move through the world.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
Finding a mentor isn’t always about asking someone to guide you — sometimes it’s about aligning with an artist whose work and story truly resonate with your spirit. For me, that person was Lurlynn Franklin. Her work was bold, layered, deeply imaginative — and her presence helped ignite something in me. It wasn’t just her technique, but the way she owned her story, her voice, her vision. It made me realize I could do the same.
I believe mentorship shows up when you’re ready. As they say, when the student is ready, the teacher will appear. But it also takes humility and openness. Mentors don’t just tell you what you want to hear — they tell you the truth. Sometimes that truth is blunt. Sometimes it challenges your ego. But if you’re willing to be molded a bit, to be poured into, you’ll grow in ways you never imagined.
Lurlynn didn’t try to shape me into her — she reflected my power back to me. And that’s what the best mentors do: they remind you of who you are, and who you’ve always been becoming.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://knwilliams5.wixsite.com/kierstennwilliams
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kayenicole5/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kierstenw1
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@knwilliams5
