In the previous episode, we met Erin who shared the way she uses the app Procreate to add layers and texture to create realistic digital paper creations, how her future will ideally include a blend of engineering and design, as well as learn the subject matter that fuels her. She also discussed the importance of getting into a flow state, carving out time to create when inspiration strikes and today’s guest agrees.
Allow me to officially introduce you to today’s guest: Katherine Klimitas.
Katherine Klimitas is an artist, speaker, author and graphic designer. She has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, better known as Brittle Bone Disease. But growing up, there was no way she and her parents were going to let this dictate her happiness. Her parents made her want to make something of herself and she decided she was going to be happy doing it—end of story. During her senior year at Loyola University, she started KAK Art & Designs. While her services have changed since 2011, he’s stayed focused on 2 key areas: 1) expanding her reach and capabilities as a watercolor artist; and 2) motivating others to contribute to their communities. After owning her business for nearly a decade, what keeps her striving for something more? She wants her work to bring people joy.
In our conversation, Katherine and I discuss the unique process she uses to paint, the way she manages her time to pursue both artistic projects and graphic design work, and the great story of how she came to work for Rod Stewart on a project.
Key Ideas Discussed:
Watercolour artist and graphic designer
Animals are the focus of her work - her parents were both veterinarians
She has a bone disease - 500 broken bones by the time she was 10
While her friends were out playing sports, she was inside doing art - she was good at it, she liked doing it, she could do it
Physically, it's challenging for her to produce lots of art - which is one of the reasons she chose to switch from fine art to graphic design in college
She does a lot of pet portraits
She once had someone ask her to paint their pet snail
She considers herself a relatively photo realist painter
She tried abstract art and didn't like it
Practice is important! As she does something over and over, her style develops
She paints lying down - sitting up for a long period of time is a challenge
She usually sets aside of block of time to paint (several hours, she finds that she needs to get into a rhythm); painting for a single hour doesn't work for her; she usually needs to dedicate at least 2 hours at a time
She gets bored really quickly so she always has to have something going on in the background (music or TV) while she's painting
A lot of days looks like graphic design for half the day and painting for the other half of the day
She loves seeing live music
She worked with Rod Stewart a few years ago - went backstage and met him, worked with him on his album art; didn't end up using it but still paid her
Doubt can creep in
Some life circumstances have made it so that she has looked for other sources of passive income; she's educating herself on art licensing; she started doing public speaking last year
She tries to plan but she also wants to live day to day; her plans change all the time
Among many insights gained, Katherine reminds us about how important determination is to be able to do the work that speaks to you. In the next (and final!) episode we meet Babette, a woodworker who shares Katherine’s feelings about the role determination plays in pursuing creative work.
Stay tuned…
About Out Guest:
Katherine Klimitas is an artist, speaker, author and graphic designer. She has Osteogenesis Imperfecta, better known as Brittle Bone Disease. But growing up, there was no way she and her parents were going to let this dictate her happiness. Her parents made her want to make something of herself and she decided she was going to be happy doing it—end of story. During her senior year at Loyola University, she started KAK Art & Designs. While her services have changed since 2011, he’s stayed focused on 2 key areas: 1) expanding her reach and capabilities as a watercolor artist; and 2) motivating others to contribute to their communities. After owning her business for nearly a decade, what keeps her striving for something more? She wants her work to bring people joy.
Website: kakartnola.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kakartnola
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kakartnola/
Music (public domain via Free Music Archive): Chad Crouch - Rainbow
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle