Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kat Goldberg. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kat, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today One of our favorite things to hear about is stories around the nicest thing someone has done for someone else – what’s the nicest thing someone has ever done for you?

I am a self-taught artist who has only been painting for two years. So far, I have encountered some incredible artists who have been extremely supportive and helpful in my artistic journey. One of the skills I really wanted to learn when I started painting was how to paint people.

When I was younger, I had been very involved in the theatre when I was at university and had taken a class in costuming and make up. I thought that perhaps my knowledge of stage make up could help me to paint my daughter. I was so wrong. Instead of the soft, sweet child face that I wanted to bring out, she looked like a heavily made-up beauty pageant contestant with contoured cheeks and a heavy tan.

I befriended an artist and muralist from Fort Collins, CO named Jess Bean. She offered to help me with my painting. She spent 4 hours video chatting with me and teaching me how to make subtle adjustments and color choices to make the portrait come to life and look like my sweet girl instead a girl trying out youtube make-up tutorials. Jess was so patient and helpful. Not only was I able to paint my baby, her lesson helped me to be able to see faces differently and understand how to break down the colors and shapes used to make my paintings look like the people they depict.

I am eternally grateful that Jess took time from her day to teach me this incredible skill and give me the confidence to be able to paint people.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I did my first painting in 2003 while hanging out with an artist friend. I didn’t really paint much after. I was busy working, traveling, and starting a family. Apart from a few paint and sip events I got roped into with friends, I didn’t really think much about painting. My creative efforts were put more into decorating cakes for my kids and building Halloween costumes. During the COVID lockdown, I decided I would start playing around with painting. I did a few for fun and posted on social media and some friends asked if I were selling my art. I decided to continue painting and working to learn new techniques. I posted pictures of what I was doing on social media, and some friends asked if I were selling them. I felt some serious imposter syndrome. I hadn’t studied this. I didn’t know what I was doing. It did encourage me to keep painting and pushing myself to get better.

Meanwhile, my parents were at a funeral and my dad started proudly showing my artwork to a friend of his who happened to be a watercolor artist (way to read the room, dad). She encouraged me to join the local artist guild. I did and was juried into their non-profit gallery. That was about two years ago! I am still in awe that I have accomplished so much so far, but I’m in my late 40’s and there’s no time like the present!

I am rather cheeky and enjoy painting subjects that make me smile or giggle. I tend to lean into my playful nature when painting and I think it comes through. My favorite painting so far, has been from a photograph my friend in Hawaii took of his daughter on the beach. The picture was rudely photobombed by a dog and it cracked me up. I have that painting hanging in my room and it makes me smile every day.

I have also really gotten into painting abstracts lately because I like thinking about them turning the viewer into an artist through their interpretation of the piece. It’s challenging because without the roadmap of a clear subject, it is the pure creativity of my brain composing and creating it.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Valuing what we do.

Supporting arts in education. Children need to develop both sides of their brains if they want to be creative problem-solvers. The arts also allow us to connect emotionally to each other and the world around us.

Paying artists for what they do. Art is a skill that we develop and work at. We not only beautify but also commemorate loved ones and pets, elicit emotions, and make statements. Art isn’t just a “crafty” little hobby. It takes dedication and a passion for it.

I love that some cities have started beautification projects with muralists, traffic boxes with art wraps, and sculpture gardens. It makes people proud of where they live and shows the value of our creations. My town juries in artwork for 4 month long displays at the town hall. It keeps the artwork fresh there and allows people to get to know local artists.

I also love artists supporting other artists. I am a member of the local artist guild and I have learned so much from the other members! Not only techniques, but marketing, classes to take, and places to get supplies and frames!

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Being able to make other people smile with my artwork. We recently had the annual Blessing of the (shrimp boat) Fleet and the artist guild had a small show of artwork for sale. I decided to enter some small works that were double entendres of shrimp dishes. I had “Shrimp Cocktail” which was a dapper shrimp in a top hat and monocle holding a martini and “Shrimp Toast” which had a white shrimp and a mantis shrimp clinking champagne flutes. I didn’t win any ribbons that day, but I definitely got lots of smiles and laughs.     

Contact Info:

• Website: katgoldbergcreative.com
• Instagram: @katgoldbergcreative
• Threads: katgoldbergcreative

Image Credits
Kat Goldberg (left, holding Charlie the cat) and Jess Bean (right)