Katrina Koltes

Please tell us what you do.

I am a full-time artist. I teach online classes, both individual workshops and collaborative year-long ones. I also am part of a Fabcebook monthly online auction group called “Heartful Soul” where I auction my paintings along with other home artists. One of my plans for next year as well is to write and illustrate a children’s story book.

What is your art background?

I grew up in a very artistic family. My mom is a portrait and mural artist, my oldest brother is a movie actor, and my other brothers and sisters a writer, a chef, a singer… we all express ourselves artistically somehow. I never actually went to art school, but I love to experiment, practice, and try everything, and so I learned on my own. Some years ago I started taking online courses a well, and that’s how I came to teaching finally.

You’ve been living abroad and traveling from a
young age, how has that influenced your art?

Travelling since I was little has opened my art to many possibilities and aspects. I feel like I have been enriched with so many different cultures, lifestyles and experiences that I have so much to tell in my art. I am constantly inspired and never run out of things to express! I also like to journal when I travel, as I find it opens my eyes to my surroundings in a new and refreshing way, even if I’m just strolling the streets of the city where I live for the hundredth time. There’s always something new and interesting to discover, if we only look for it.

You are teaching at an art retreat, in-person for the
first time this year, how do you feel about that?

Yes I’m SO excited about it! It’s going to be an amazing experience this July at Essence of Mulranny Studios, a beautiful, wild and magical location in the north-west coast of Ireland.

I’m really grateful for this opportunity as it’s always been my greatest desire to connect in-person with my students for some time now. (We still have a few spots available, so check it out on my website!)

It is my greatest wish and goal to start doing more of these retreats in the coming years, maybe even host some here in Italy… who knows what the future holds!

Is teaching online classes a good way for artists to
fund their art career?

Absolutely! If I’d have listened to the whole “starving artist syndrome” and how artists can’t make a proper living, I would never have had the guts to try it! I took the leap and proved them all wrong! I finally left my day-job last year to be a full-time artist and it’s the best thing I ever did!

Do you have any advice for artists considering
creating their own online art classes?

Don’t be afraid to take the leap! And don’t be afraid to show your vulnerability. I believe we are all forever learning and growing, and others can relate better when they see your genuine self, mistakes and all!

And the best advice I can give is to show up and do the work. Being a full-time artist is a lot of work, it takes sacrifices, and maybe less sleep, and many hours of showing up in your studio, no excuses. When you do the work, the results show… It’s that simple!

All the best on your journey. 🙂

Katrina Koltes Most Popular Art Class: Whispers of Nature

This class is for anyone who loves pastel and wants to get familiar with them and discover interesting combinations with mixed media… but most of all this class is for those who want to bring more magic in their art and lives by reconnecting with nature and it’s wonderful spirits, bringing guidance, empowerment and healing.