INSPIRE: The Road Less Travelled...Kim Neith-Thompson

This week we are delighted to introduce Kim Neith-Thompson who left behind a career as a tutor for BCTV to become a full time chainsaw sculptor, which resulted in a radical change in lifestyle. Incredibly, all Kim's work is carved entirely using a chainsaw. 

Give a brief description of your career path up before you started your creative business.

I gained a Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare and went on to work as an Animal Technician at Huddersfield College alongside being a Volunteer Coordinator for BTCV. I then became an E2E Tutor for BTCV.

What prompted you to pursue a creative career?

I realised that the career I was in was not creatively fulfilling enough for me, too stressful, and I wanted more time with my husband.

What was the most difficult thing about this decision? And what was the easiest?

The most difficult thing about my decision was leaving my job, as I felt I was letting them down. The easiest thing, bizarrely, was deciding to change our whole lifestyle by leaving our flat and most of our possessions to live out of our van, as this made the pressure of bills disappear.

How supportive of your decision were your family, friends and (former) colleagues?

My friends and colleagues were supportive of my decision. My family were worried that a career in chainsaw carving would not support me, and were concerned for our welfare with our choice to live out of our vehicle to do this.

How has pursuing a creative career been compared with your previous career? What are the challenges, and what are the highlights?

Having a creative career is completely different to my pervious career in that it doesn't feel like work, there is little or no stress and I get to spend all my time with my husband. The challenge is keeping fresh enquiries and commissions coming in and finding new ways to advertise my work to new audiences. The highlight is being able to travel the country meeting lots of wonderful new people whilst doing the thing that I love, and getting paid for the pleasure.

Have you had any regrets about choosing a creative career?

I have no regrets about choosing a creative career.

What has been the best thing about your decision to pursue a creative career?

The best thing has been the complete freedom I now have. All my time is my own, I decide what I work on and I travel where I want.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone considering taking up a creative career, what would that be?

My advice would be to just go for it, most of the things you need to get started you can find for free, so there's nothing stopping you.

What are your plans for the future?

My plans for the near future are to enter chainsaw carving competitions and to travel worldwide for commissions. I am also contemplating starting chainsaw carving courses at some point.

To find out more about Kim's incredible work, visit these sites:

Website - http://neithoutdoorservices.synthasite.com/

Facebook page - http://www.facebook.com/WoodsculptorKim

Blog - http://woodsculptorkim.blogspot.com/

Twitter - http://twitter.com/woodsculpture