We were lucky to catch up with Kate Leal recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kate thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you wish you had started sooner?

The arts have always been a part of my life in one way or another. Taking as many painting classes as I was able, sometimes repeating the same class over the years.

It wasn’t until college that I was faced with a decision to pursue the arts as a career, or venture down another path and continue painting as a hobby. Either way I knew I’d never stop painting.

I compromised with my parents and went to school for art education at Massachusetts College of Art & Design in Boston. This gave me half studio fine arts instruction and half teaching instruction resulting in a license to practice K-12.

Since graduating in 2013, I’ve worked in many schools, non profits, parks and recreation departments. You name it and I’ve probably done it. I worked as a moulage/special effects make up artist for the National Guard for six years (a story in itself). All different avenues but with one common denominator; art.

It wasn’t until I had children that my career shifted dramatically. Since the birth of my first son, I have pivoted my focus on my studio art practice and painting career. I really want to focus and make a name for myself as a contemporary painter.

There was never a clear start to my painting career as more so there was always something prevalent in my soul to peruse. For that same reason, there will never really be an end either. I’ll be painting as long as I can. The arts will always be alive in my heart.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Grew up in Pennsylvania, currently living on the coast of North Carolina with my three kids and husband. Currently focusing on my painting technique and practice.

In recent years, I have developed a unique technique of painting that I haven’t seen before. Using modeling paste and a palette knife to sketch my compositions. The line carved into the canvas is very important to me. So important that I paint on every section except these linear impressions.

Color is also very important. Much like those of the impressionist movement, soft pastels are a staple in all of my work.

I work on small series of paintings at a time usually focusing on a particular subject or location. Many of my current paintings are based off landscapes, foliage and local life on the Outer Banks.

Commissions are also available upon request.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I haven’t. My social media audience is around 500 accounts or so. But I have a theory on this…

While more followers would be great, it is not who I am as an artist to entertain or manage a social account. I often think back to many of the great painters and what they would have done. Probably not social media. Even though when done correctly, it can have many positive impacts on an artist’s revenue and reputation.

It takes a certain level of business administration to make a creative account great, However, I am not a businesswoman and my art is made out of an undying passion.

So for now and until the foreseeable future, I post organically. A process post here and there. A finished painting or potential new series. Hopefully my work speaks for itself enough that I will continue to expand my audience.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There is no greater illustration of resilience than a mother who provides care, compassion and security for her children, but also for her art.

I am a mother of three small children between the ages of 7months-7years. And yes, the two oldest are the most wild and beautiful boys that keep me in constant motion. The other little girl we named ‘Ever’ meaning eternally or always. This was inspired by a quote from a film on painter Vincent Van Gogh “At Eternity’s Gate”. Gogh says, “I thought an artist had to teach how to look at the world. But I don’t think that anymore. Now I just think about my relationship to eternity,”

A thought that is consistently present in my mind while I paint. I’ve painted through thousands of nap times; I’ve painted pregnant in between baby kicks; I’ve painted postpartum, while breastfeeding. I’ve painted holding my newborns asleep in my arms. Those paintings I could point out in an instant. They hold a very special place in my heart because of that very special fleeting time they were created in.

Resilience in my work is the children who grew up painting alongside me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kateleal.com
• Instagram: @kateoleal

Image Credits

Naomi Culley Photography