Meet Kyle Healy- Artist, Teacher, Mother!

What do you love to do with your children? How old are they? And what is your greatest wish for them?

I love to do anything with my kids when they are discovering something new, and to witness the self-confidence and newfound awareness that occurs.  When the light bulb goes off and their eyes brighten, it’s miraculous every time.

Bee is six and Tommy is three.

My greatest wish is that my kids each live a life rich with a deep, multi-faceted understanding of the world through culture — art, literature, history, music, athletics, education, etc. — and this understanding helps them to be extraordinarily thoughtful, respectful, and empathetic people.  I also hope that they never feel limited and recognize that their possibilities are endless.

When and where are you happiest?

There are many things that make me happy!  I suppose the top two are when I am immersed in any kind of creative process… and at the beach with family.  The Outer Banks in N.C. is like heaven to me.

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

I always say Paris!  It’s where Tom and I spent our honeymoon.  I sometimes daydream about hopping on a plane for the weekend just to spend the entire time at the Musée d’Orsay.  

Who had the biggest influence on you? And what qualities do you most admire in a mother?

Well, my parents’ influence on me is undeniable.  My dad is a renaissance man – star college athlete, all-state band and choir, incredible artist, excellent teacher and coach.  He has such a fantastic sense of humor, and is the best dad.  He taught me just by his living example that anything is possible.  My mom is my gold standard – patient, kind, devoted, creative, brilliant, and truly good to her core.  She’s an amazing artist and teacher as well.  If I can even come close to being the mother and person she is, I will feel like I won at life.

Qualities I most admire in a mother… I’ve always believed that the most creativity comes with structure.  I’m most impressed by mothers who are present in their kids’ lives, who set parameters while fostering their opportunities for knowledge and success with eternal support and love.

What do you like to do for fun?

I used to say, “If it’s not fun, why do it?” and it’s still my approach to everything.  Painting and drawing are like breathing to me.  I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t drawing someone or something, and it’s so exciting that my artistic pursuits are moving to the forefront at this time in my life.  My profession has been teaching, and I sincerely love working with kids and helping them attain their goals – it’s the most rewarding.  So, for sheer fun, I suppose it’s exercising outdoors, and singing.  I began studying classical voice since I was fifteen and took a break when I started my career in education.  I have just recently found my way back to it by performing with the Greenwich Choral Society over the last year, and it’s really a thrill.

Read the rest of our interview with Kyle here!