Artists! You Can Restart Your Art Journey Anytime | ATH Podcast | S5E21
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This episode of the Arts to Hearts Project features a warm and easy conversation between artist Kim Hamburg and host Charuka Arora. They talk about art, being a mother, and staying steady in your work. Kim opens up about trying new things in her studio, taking pride in good craft, how she thinks about pricing and selling her pieces, and why getting older has actually helped her feel more sure of herself. She also talks about starting fresh at any age.
They chat about finding a sense of freedom through making things, how creating can help you process life, and the simple joy that comes from putting time into something you enjoy. Kim also shares the challenges of learning new tech and business tools, juggling home and work, and letting go of guilt. They touch on how women often juggle many things at once, staying aware of everyday safety concerns, and the need for a more open and fair art world. They even talk about moving past old systems that limit women and stepping into a new phase with more confidence.
Charuka cheers Kim on and suggests she think about hiring an assistant to help her grow. The whole conversation feels encouraging and would be helpful for anyone who wants to understand what life is like for someone who creates and keeps going, even when it’s hard.
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Kim Hamburg never imagined she would one day call herself an artist. Growing up, she carried the memory of her father telling her she would be better off working as a waitress. She became a first generation college graduate, went into teaching, studied biology and early childhood education, and raised her children. For many years she never took an art class or thought she needed to. But life has a way of opening new doors when you least expect it.
A Kitchen That Became a Studio
Kim’s creative life began in a very simple place. Her kitchen is also her studio, a space where she cooks for her family and also makes collages. It is where she can be a mother and a creator at the same time. She often says that everything she feels and goes through ends up on the paper in front of her.
Her journey into collage started during the COVID lockdown. Her whole family was at home. There was worry, stress, and the sense of being closed in. Collage became her way to sort through her thoughts and steady herself. What began as a way to cope soon turned into a daily practice. Kim now makes something every day. She does not wait for perfect supplies and uses anything she can find. Most of her materials have already been used by someone else, which she enjoys working with.
I’m learning technology I have I’m sitting here with a mac laptop I have learned the Mac computer. who would know that I would have a laptop I’m learning photoshop I’m learning to edit my own photos I tried so hard to learn to do it and it’s just I keep getting more and more.
Finding Her Voice and Giving Herself Permission
In her conversation with Charuka on the Arts to Hearts Project podcast, Kim explained that she began making art only two years ago. Before that she mostly did crafts and taught biology. She said the biggest thing she had to overcome was learning to give herself permission to start.
She faced imposter syndrome. She wondered why people were following her and questioned whether she deserved any attention. She also struggled with mother guilt. When she began spending more time making collages, she even asked her children if it was alright. They encouraged her, and once she let go of the guilt she felt, she began to enjoy her work more fully.
Kim now creates constantly. She has many ideas and often wants to make several reels in a day. She laughs about how she feels like she is making up for lost time, but she also knows this steady flow keeps her excited and active.
Because when I first started, I thought, “Oh, I’m not good. You know, um, how can I be getting followers, and because who am I?
Stepping Into Social Media and Learning New Skills
When the topic of Instagram came up, Kim admitted that she was scared at first. She had never posted online before. For her first year she used the name Susan Bear, along with a teddy bear image, to avoid showing her real identity. This was partly to protect her foster children and partly because she simply felt unsure about exposing herself online.
She only switched to her real name after her daughter turned eighteen. Even now she still feels nervous on social media. She joined Facebook only because she needed it for a class she taught in the Collage Master Summit.
Along the way Kim has learned technology she once avoided. She now edits photos, uses Photoshop, and prepares files for magazines. Her daughter, who studies museum exhibition and design, often helps her. Kim finds it surprising that she is now seen as an influencer and receives supplies from brands in exchange for creating videos.
I think the thing that has changed most about me is um I stopped caring about um you know like I used to be just a very Helicopter Mom You know. Okay, kids, do you have your lunch? Do you have your socks, you know?
A New Chapter in Motherhood and Life
When Charuka asked how she has changed, Kim shared that she has let go of her old need to manage every detail for her children. She offered an example from her daughter’s recent birthday. In the past she would have sent cakes and balloons. This year she simply sent some money and let her daughter celebrate however she wanted. Her kids accept this shift because they see how much joy she finds in her work and how well she is growing.
Kim knows she would still be making something every day even if her journey looked different. She enjoys the process and feels grateful that she allowed herself to start.
It’s like I feel like I’m catching up, you know?
Kim Hamburg’s story shows that beginning again is possible at any age. You can carry many roles at once. You can learn new skills even when they seem intimidating. You can start something that feels uncertain and watch it grow into something meaningful. Her journey is a simple reminder that giving yourself permission can open the door to a life you never expected.
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