VoyageKC
Published in VoyageKC, November 2021
Featured Article
Kansas Cities Most Inspiring Stories series features LeAnn Parker of Silvertooth Home
Hi LeAnn, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I come from a family of artists and have always been encouraged to be creative. From rock painting at the beach with my siblings, to photography and pottery classes with my cousins, and floral arrangements from foraging in the woods— creativity has always been a part of my life. Even so, I decided to leave the visual arts in my childhood to go off to earn my degree in Music Education. After graduating from the Conservatory, I opened a music school called Mobile Music Teachers, to serve families in Kansas City. I think of Mobile Music Teachers as my first “business baby”- one that I still work at daily and adore.
As years rolled on came the addition of three children to our family. Life as a new mom put all my productive ventures on hold for quite some time. I look back at this as my Winter season- things didn’t appear to be growing outwardly but was a necessary season to have before entering into my Spring. As my “business baby” became more self-sufficient and my human children all went off to elementary school, I found that my soul had space to dream and miss being creative like I used to be all those years ago. I was sparked with inspiration by my grandma, an accomplished artist, who didn’t start painting until she was in her 50’s. Her story gave me the courage to believe that it’s never too late to start something new and I’m not even 40 yet. I wanted to be an artist when I grew up and decided today was as good as any day to start.
I began my journey of becoming an artist by creating something daily at our home at Silvertooth. I started this practice by styling the ordinary spaces and places of home- rain or shine, inspired or not. That’s what it takes to become something… daily practice. As my creative practice first centered around our home at Silvertooth, it looked a lot like interior styling, photography, floral arrangements, handmade gifts and styled gatherings- anything that helped train my eye to see beauty in everyday things and in the everyday spaces around me. I also added the practice of watercoloring with my mom, a graduate from the Chicago Art Institute and source for a wealth of artistic knowledge. I hope to increase my painting skills of seeing colors and textures through this practice as well. I’ve already seen much growth in myself which is really encouraging for me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There are a lot of challenges when starting a new practice or business (of which I’m doing both). Challenges I face such as limited amounts of time, limited money, limited resources and imposter syndrome, just to name a few. However, the creative practice and the joy of creating help me push through. I always tell our children that “we expect you to fail at something today because that means you are being pushed to grow.” I have failed on the daily so I guess if I’m going to take my own advice, that’s a good thing!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
This Fall, I officially launched the brand Silvertooth Home, where I share and give back the creativity that I have been practicing in becoming an artist. At Silvertooth Home, you will find my creative portfolio, written collections on the art of home, and upcoming workshops as they become available. In addition, I plan to start a service this coming year for those that find themselves in the role of hosting an event or gathering. I will be offering custom Parting Gifts for hosts to gift their attending guests. This element of hosting adds class and style to any event or party. By leaving an event with a Parting Gift, your guests will feel cared for in an extra way that they will never forget. I look forward to sharing this collection with you soon, so stay tuned!
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Although it’s obvious that a dollar amount, follower count or job status defines success, I truly believe in the inner success of personal growth and being generous with what I have by giving back to others in a meaningful way. That is my goal at Silvertooth Home and in everything that I do- to grow into an artist and to give that art form back to others. Growth is success and slow and unseen growth counts – just like the eye can’t see an oak tree grow taller – there it is… reaching into the sky.
Featured Gallery of LeAnn Parker’s work:
Thank you VoyageKC for taking the time to interview me and for allowing me contribute to the VoyageKC mission. It was a pleasure!
-LeAnn, Silvertooth Home
