Meet Emily Knighton | Artist & Art Instructor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Knighton and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, every day, we talk about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Taking art classes in high school and college was the first time I was able to access parts of myself that felt most like me. I realized I could think more clearly sometimes when I was working with color. I could breathe a little deeper when I felt clay or charcoal in my hands. I worked as a classroom art teacher for years and I was able to watch children work through frustration and creative problem-solving through the steps of an art project in a way that spread into other parts of their day, and to other parts of themselves. I saw how they brought other things from their inner-world into my room…their worry, their happiness, their confusion. I was surprised, in the beginning, how much emotion and connection could happen through art. I was surprised until I remembered that is exactly what it feels like to me. Why would it be any different for a child? When I became a mom I realized that as caregivers we so badly want to provide quality experiences for our children as they grow and become more and more themselves, but it can be so difficult to come up with those ideas on our own. So much is required of us as adults. So a few years ago I started thinking, what if I could share my loves of teaching, working with kids and families, providing creative inspiration and encouraging slow living practices? What if I could inspire deeper breaths? What if, because of my business, a family takes a hike to notice the changing season? What if a child’s courage and confidence grew because they practiced and learned to draw something? A series of events led to a personal decision to be home and more available to my own child, but as a single parent I needed to find a way to continue to work, preferably within my field of art and art education. ‘Now is the time!’ I thought to myself. I took steps toward creating Art Club Co. as a hub for nature-based art inspiration and offerings for kids and families, aiming to ignite courage, creativity and wonder amongst moments of slower living. Slowly but surely, step by step, I’ve connected with helpful people, I’ve ordered supplies, I’ve learned many things, and am putting one foot in front of the other to build this little business of mine.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I’ve worked as a graphic designer/art director, an international tour guide, an elementary level art teacher as well as leading private art lessons and summer camps. And now I’ve stepped into the world of entrepreneurship with a creative lens. The biggest challenge I have faced over the years has honestly been myself. Self-doubt, imposter syndrome and negative thought patterns have held me back immensely in the past. There is always a voice ready to say that what I have to offer isn’t enough, or has already been done, or isn’t worthwhile or whatever the nay-saying may be. But the pull to create and to teach and to share has become stronger than that voice. I’ve learned over time how to catch that voice when it begins. We cannot control our first thoughts, but we can recognize them. We can reroute them. We can rewrite truth over them. When I catch myself questioning whether I should or shouldn’t do this or that, whether it’s good enough, whether I have the right to put things out into the world I remind myself that I have beautiful things to share, and it would be a shame to keep them to myself! I remind myself that I can do hard things, that I can handle big challenges and that I am a creative problem-solver. In my own artistic journey I’ve learned that color and shape and line can communicate just as much as words can, if not sometimes more. A color can stir something within me that I didn’t feel before spending time with it, and working with a certain material can calm my nervous system. Within Art Club Co. I will encourage process, rather than product. Slowing down and spending time with something new, or even just stepping outside and observing something natural and simple the eye may not have noticed before. I believe I have developed a teaching style that is kind, approachable and respectful. There is much depth to a human, no matter their age, and life can be very challenging for us all. Art and nature both provide opportunity for slow observation, and creating from that place. Art can provide an opportunity for children, and their families, to practice perseverance, to grow in courage, to learn and improve their skills in a way that is low stakes with the potential of high reward!

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.
Waco has grown so much over the years! This town of mine has many go-to places. Here are a few local spots that I frequent. The small business owners here are warm and genuine.

Day 1 – A Sunny Day with the Fam
– Breakfast at Harvest on 25th. I highly recommend J’s Pancakes for the Vegan + GF inclined, and make sure someone does a build your own plate. My pick is sausage, greens, sourdough and potatoes. Unreal.

– Hop over to Fabled Bookshop & Cafe to relax. Here you’ll find the most charming bookshop you’ll ever meet. This place welcomes you like a hug. Grab a coffee and something to nibble if you need it, scour books and other goodies and let Fabled touch your soul. The children’s area is dreamy to say the least. You’ll never be the same.

– Lunch at Revival Eastside Eatery. This fresh, delicious eatery has much to offer, but I can’t go on without recommending the burgers. I dream about these burgers matched with sweet potato friends and a chocolate chip cookie and have this combination as often as possible.

– For the afternoon, kids would enjoy the Cameron Park Zoo or Mayborn Museum. In warmer months even Hawaiian Falls Waterpark is a blast. Adults might need to blow off some steam at Waco Axe Company or Top Golf. Choose your own adventure.

– Dinner at Milo All Day. The Farmer’s Daughter is my all time fave to order, and the kid’s pasta is delicious. Take a look across the street at Balcones Distilling, a local distillery with a tap room you can head over to afterwards.

Day 2 – A Tourist in the City
– Head to Magnolia Table for an early breakfast to miss a long wait time. Tuesdays and Wednesdays seem to be best. And I mean. Coffee, pastries, good home-cooking. Like all the Magnolia does, their restaurant is warm perfection. I want a farm breakfast and lemon lavender donut holes and I’ll be talking about it the rest of the day.

– Keep that Magnolia vibe going and head over to the Silos! Magnolia Press has more delish coffee, and the grounds are an experience. There are delightful shops, areas to relax and enjoy, food trucks, the Magnolia store and the Silos Baking Co. with sweet treats the make your mouth water. Even when crowds are present, I find that there is so much space that it rarely actually feels crowded. Don’t miss the gardens and seed shop!

– For lunch head on in to Clay Pot in downtown Waco – my long time favorite Vietnamese restaurant. I will order a ginger tea, an appetizer portion of Pho and an entree of yellow chicken curry every time, and you will not change my mind.
– Ready to play? Waco Escape Room nearby is a blast and a half, with great themes to try. When you’re done be sure to walk through Gather and Wildland – two shops next door with delightful home goodies and clothing.
– Tonight head to Di Campli’s Italian Ristorante for Italian food and wine to delight your palette.

– Need a night cap? Both One Day Bar and Sloane’s have cozy atmosphere’s and yummy cocktails. Pinewood Pub and Brotherwell Brewing have the beer of which you dream.

Day 3 – Enjoying the Outdoors
– Breakfast today is coffee and donuts at Nightlight Donuts. Pop inside or go through the drive through and take your goods with you.

– Head down to the river. Walk the river trail, stop at a playground, or head into Cameron Park to hike the trails, play disc golf or find some wildflowers.
– For a leisurely lunch, grab the book you bought at Fabled and head to Pinewood Roasters. Pinewood has indoor seating with a mellow vibe, and outdoor seating under a gorgeous tree. Across the courtyard is Pinewood Pub with beer, cider, etc. Yaki, a Texas teriyaki box food option, has a food truck in the parking lot. Grab a teriyaki box and your drink of choice, and enjoy a long sit. Nourish your body, nourish your soul.

– Find a spot to park downtown and go ahead and rent a Blue Duck Scooter. The rates are reasonable and who doesn’t want to feel the wind in their hair. Ride around downtown, making your way to Heritage Creamery for some local, hand-crafted ice cream.

– For dinner head to the shared space of Slow Rise Slice House and Common Grounds Woodway where you’ll find all things pizza, salad, meatballs, coffee and delight. The outdoor seating is on point.

Other fun spots to visit!

– Is it Saturday? Jackpot! The Waco Downtown Farmer’s Market is the place to be.

– Both the Brazos River and Lake Waco are peaceful and lovely with many places to sit and enjoy. In the warmer months Waco Paddle Co. will be down by the river and ready to meet your river activity rental needs.

– If you’re a surfer, or like hanging at the beach, check out Waco Surf, the local surf lagoon and wakeboard cable park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’ve really had quite a few champions along the way. My friend, Amy Violette, came to town and over coffee asked me questions about my life and goals and dreams. When I talked about what would later become Art Club Co. she pointed out that I absolutely have what it takes to make this happen, and I thought WHOA. What if she’s right?? So then I casually talked it over with a few more friends, Blake and Kimberly Batson, while we walked our kids to a park. They are experienced business owners themselves and they said the same thing. From there I brainstormed more ideas. And more. This began a serious of “what if I actually did this someday” conversations with person after person as I formulated these ideas. Some months down the road I found myself recognizing a series of events and shift in life plans, including my career. And that was the moment.

I was fortunate enough to find out about StartUp Waco’s Incubate254 program for women-owned small businesses. I joined a cohort of hard working women in different stages of blazing their own path in the world through their business of choice. The Startup Waco team was ready and available to fan the flame of our businesses in any way that we needed. They provided information, support, connections, networking and working space. It was the jump start I needed to realize that I could actually make this happen if I really wanted to, and that I didn’t have to do it alone. And in fact, shouldn’t. My family and friends have been immensely, immensely supportive. Other business owners have offered help and collaboration ideas. The encouragement and lift this provides never goes unnoticed, and I will be eager to pay that forward one day.

Website: https://www.artclubco.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artclubcocreative