We had the good fortune of connecting with Katy Lee West and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katy Lee, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Is there any other way to live? From birth, you are usually categorized as a right brain or left brain person. Sure there are a few exceptions to this classification but if you are a creative brain person it can be difficult to work in a standard setting. Conforming to the norms of the standard American “office” never appealed to me.

Throughout my career I’ve found my authentic voice can be best expressed through my writing. So when it came to finding a job it was only natural to want to create with my words. Storytelling became my muse both on Instagram, blogs and the blank pages that I fill.

It’s been my long-term goal to write and publish a book. So even though the road to publishing may be long and rough I’m willing to keep plugging away to reach my dream.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Social media has been around for less than 20 years and it’s exciting to participate in a relatively new way to create. I feel like we are just now beginning to understand the power of its influence over our lives. The industry provides a wonderful way for creatives and artists to express themselves in-front of potentially millions of people daily. We’ve never been able to tell our story to the masses and so quickly. It’s a really amazing time to be alive!

I love being able to write a “mini blog” daily on my instagram. If I feel inspired, then I can share my words with the click of a button. My creativity isn’t bogged down by following a set schedule or even editorial rules, which allows me freedom to just be.

I’d love your readers to know how passionate I am about doing life along side them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Where to go in Arizona in one week:

Monday: Stop by for a late breakfast at The Henry and take in the exhibits at the Phoenix Art Museum. We’d have to stay at The Royal Palms resort and eat dinner at Lon’s at the Hermosa.

Tuesday: Stay at the Hyatt Gainey Ranch and enjoy their beach pool, spas and live music. Dinner would be at Fat Ox.

Wednesday: Head up North to follow the wine trail. Start in Jerome with Caduceus Cellars then head to Oak Creek Vineyards. We’d stop in between and have lunch at Pizzeria Bocce.

Thursday: Stay in Sedona at L’Auberge and have lunch at Creekside American Bistro. After lunch we’d head out on a hike or take a Pink Jeep Tour. For dinner and drinks we would get reservations at Elote Cafe. We also wouldn’t forget about the amazing spas Sedona has to offer and obviously hit up those too.

Friday: Staying north we would head to Flagstaff for the night. We would stay at a beautiful Airbnb or the Little America Hotel. We’d get facials at Flagstaff Face & Body and eat dinner at the Tinderbox Kitchen. Hopefully there would be a concert we could see at the Orpheum Theater. Later in the evening we’d take a tour at Lowell Observatory.

Saturday: We would have to spend all day today hiking the Grand Canyon.

Sunday: Back to Phoenix for a last meal at Pizzeria Bianco before catching the Suns game.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My first shoutout belongs to my mother. She raised my sister and I with true grit and determination. I learned how to be a strong independent woman because of her beautiful example. She continues to inspire me daily.

Also, I’d be remiss to not recognize how influential all the churches, church camps and biblical classes I attended throughout my life.
My faith was and is the one thing that encourages me to follow a higher calling and be better than I was yesterday. I also have to mention that Grand Canyon University played a huge role in influencing my faith and future.

My husband is my rock. He’s the other half that completes my soul. I’m forever grateful that he chose to do life with me.

My life is so full of strong women and each one brings out a different creative beast in me that I never knew existed. I’m grateful to have their watchful eyes upon me to help me navigate this life.

Finally, a shoutout to my children. Being their mother has completed a lifelong goal for me and I’m so blessed to get to watch them grow.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katyleewest/

Twitter: Twitter.com/katyleewest1

Facebook: Facebook.com/katyleewest

 

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutArizona is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.