Kansas City-based artist, instructor, and the creative force behind Simply Create KC.
Cayla's earliest memory of creating was when she was 4. She loved watching Bob Ross and wondered how she created something out of nothing. She tried to replicate his work using things she saw around her. She knew she wanted to be an artist when she grew up. Cayla watched her dad draw blueprints for their family HVAC business. He also applied his artistry to school projects and home drawn sketches with her and her sisters. This drew Cayla in even more. At a very young age, drawing was something that brought peace. Cayla also enjoyed writing, painting, crocheting, acting, singing, and more. Music was a large part of her family's lives growing up thanks to her mom and dad.
Cayla pursued art in high school and college. She earned a bachelor's degree in Psychology and minored in Fine Performing Arts at Park University. She knew she loved music, art, and helping people. She worked in the non-profit sector for the majority of her career. She always seemed to find herself running "Crafts with Cayla." Working in trauma work, Cayla was in awe of how people going through such hard things could find a glimmer of joy and hope through creating. Also, while their hands were busy, they shared deep feelings, connected with new people, or laughed with their children who had also gone through so much. Cayla also had the pleasure of working at Pinot's Palette for 12 years.
Simply Create KC was born out of this: creativity is not a talent. Creativity lives in every single person—it just may look different. Maybe it's cooking, organizing, mechanics, solving problems, painting, drawing, dancing, or singing. People just have to give themselves permission and make space for it. Creativity is also a tool we all have to find joy, cope, connect with ourselves and others, and grow.
When she's not teaching or creating, you'll find Cayla loving life as a wife and a mother of two children. The whole family loves music and every person has their own creative flair. Cayla also works with youth at a local church. She still wants to be an artist when she grows up. Her daughter reminds her daily that she has achieved that. Cayla would love to have more time and space to create her own work, but for now, she wants to continue helping people and sharing her love for living a creative life.
You don't need to know how to draw. You don't need experience. You just need to show up. Cayla guides every session step-by-step so that anyone — regardless of background or skill — leaves with something they're proud of.
The space is set up to make creating feel comfortable, not intimidating. We are creating FUN art. Not fine art. The vibe is relaxed, the instruction is clear, and the goal is to leave with a finished piece and a good feeling about what you made.