My name is Katelynd, and I’m a local artist based in Vancouver, BC. I grew up on a 5-acre farm in Langley, surrounded by horses, chickens, goats, dogs, and cats. From a young age, I was drawn to drawing and creating, earning the title of “the artist” among family, friends, and classmates. Although I’m a self-taught artist, I took art classes in school until I graduated. In my free time, I watched time-lapse painting videos on YouTube to learn new techniques. My artistic journey began with pencil sketching, gradually moving into acrylic painting during my teenage years. Recently, I’ve fallen in love with oil painting.
Despite working as a pharmacy technician at Burnaby Hospital for five years, I always wanted to pursue my art passion. Last September, I took a leap of faith, transitioning to a casual position at the hospital to gain more control over my schedule. Around the same time, I attended an art retreat in Bali, Indonesia, hosted by artist Lily Rose Burgess. This experience reignited my love for painting, particularly with oils. Upon my return, I participated in my first art show, “Pancakes and Booze,” which was a turning point in my artistic career. Now, I’m more dedicated to my art than ever before. While I’m currently building my website, I take commissions through Instagram. I am developing a collection of paintings inspired by my time in Bali, which I plan to sell as originals and prints on my website.
Coming out of high school and deciding on a career path, I never thought I could pursue art as a career. I thought making a living as an artist would be extremely hard. However, with the rise of social media, I began to see many opportunities for creatives to make money. I realized I didn’t need to rely solely on art galleries; social media could be a free marketing tool and sales platform for artists. Watching other artists’ stories online gave me hope and inspired me to pursue art as a career. Additionally, the constant encouragement from friends and family, who believed in my talent more than I did, pushed me to take my art more seriously.
Finding Inspiration and Style
My artistic inspiration often stems from my travels. Experiencing different cultures, landscapes, and cuisines fuels my creativity. I’m particularly inspired by vibrant colours, a style I admire in the work of artist Lily Rose Burgess. At this stage, I’m still exploring and developing my style. However, I would describe my current work as colourful oil paintings, mainly focusing on still-life subjects such as food and nature. I also enjoy creating commissioned pieces, particularly portraits of people and pets.
Favorite Projects and Challenges
One of my most cherished pieces is my first oil painting of a meal in Bali, nasi goreng. This painting holds a special memory, marking the beginning of my love for oil painting. During the workshop, I challenged myself to paint vibrant colours, deviating from the reference photo. This experience taught me to let go of perfectionism and enjoy the process of painting. Overcoming self-doubt and fear of judgment has been a significant challenge for me. However, I’ve gained confidence in my work by taking action and continually creating. I’ve learned to focus on my journey rather than comparing myself to others.
Continuous Growth and Evolution
I believe in the importance of continuous growth and self-improvement. I’m always open to learning new techniques and exploring different styles. I regularly attend workshops, such as paint nights and Turkish lamp art sessions, to challenge myself creatively. Additionally, I’m an avid reader of self-help books and regularly journal to maintain a positive mindset. Currently, I’m reading “The Artist’s Way,” which has been incredibly beneficial to my creative process.
Artistic Process and Rituals
My creative process typically begins with selecting or taking my reference photos. I adjust these photos to my liking before starting with an acrylic base coat. Using a 4-quadrant method, I sketch the composition and then outline it with a Posca pen. From there, I pre-mixed my colours and started painting from dark to light tones. Listening to music, particularly Afrobeats, or simply enjoying the sounds around me helps me stay focused and meditative while painting.
Journaling is essential to my routine, as it helps me maintain a creative mindset and overcome any blocks. I also find inspiration by watching other artists and their creative processes.
Local Collaborations and Community Engagement
I’m excited about future collaborations with local artists. Together, we plan to host our art show, providing affordable and fun opportunities for emerging artists like ourselves. Collaboration within the local artistic community is crucial as it allows us to unite, share ideas, and inspire one another. By collaborating, we can learn from each other’s different styles and experiences, ultimately strengthening the community.
Future Goals and Aspirations
In the short term, I aim to complete my website and Bali painting collection. I also hope to have one of my paintings displayed in a Vancouver restaurant. In the long term, I aspire to host my art show featuring not only fine art but also live music, dancing, and other talents. My dream is to create an annual arts event that showcases local talent and provides a platform for artists to share their work.
Advice for Aspiring Artists
For aspiring artists in the community, my advice is to believe in yourself and your abilities. Surround yourself with people who support and inspire you, and don’t be afraid to network and connect with other artists. Attend art events, workshops, and exhibitions to learn, grow, and expand your network.
Balancing Passion with Practical Needs
Balancing my passion for art with practical needs has required sacrifice and careful time management. By transitioning to a casual position at the hospital, I’ve gained the flexibility to dedicate more time to my art. I wake up a few hours earlier each day to paint or work on commissions before heading to work. While making ends meet in an expensive city like Vancouver is challenging, I’m committed to building my art business and eventually transitioning to full-time artistry.
