We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katie Hunt. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katie below.

Katie, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I have always been an artistic person, but never really considered art/design as a career path until midway through college.

As an animal-lover, I chose to study zoology in hopes of one day becoming a veterinarian. However, it was clear from the beginning that I all of the pre-vet students had been building their resumes since they were 14. I knew if I stayed in this major, I’d most likely be working in a lab most of my life, which was not super appealing.

One day, I was painting in my dorm room and my roommate’s boyfriend took notice. Being the design editor of the college newspaper, he was always looking for talent. He invited me to come learn the basics of Adobe InDesign. I caught on quickly and joined the design team. Everything just clicked. Designing just felt right and I did not look back.

I switched majors the following semester and eventually took over the design editor position. After earning my Bachelor’s, I enrolled in a community college design program. A couple of months later, I landed my first real design job at a local stationery company.

Every step of the way I learned so much, but I never could have predicted where I’d end up today!

Katie, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am always willing to try on another hat, but right now I would classify myself as a chalk artist. I am the sole proprietor of Domestic Oddess Designs, a lettering-based design service, and primarily work on chalkboards and signage for weddings and events.

As with every other landmark in my creative journey, chalking began with simply saying “yes” to a random opportunity. In 2017, a friend of mine, a real estate agent, was about to list a townhome with three chalkboard walls. She posted on Facebook asking if anyone artsy would be willing to beautify the blank black walls. At the time, I was a slightly depressed stay-at-home mom with a trickle of freelance jobs, so I eagerly volunteered. Chalking in that random empty house, I rediscovered the joy of creating.

I started practicing hand-lettering in 2018 and created an Instagram account for the hilarious things my 3.5 year old son said (@scriptmykidsays). Taking an online lettering course helped me refine my style and technique. Domestic Oddess Designs was intended to be a lettering-based home goods business. But several friends took notice of my designs and hired me for various lettering projects, including wedding signage. The work just kept snowballing via word of mouth and I was happy to roll with it!

My wedding chalk journey kicked off in 2019. Then 2020 was a bust (for obvious reasons!) 2021 was a great bounce-back year, and 2022 was busier than I ever could’ve imagined. I’m still learning the business side of things, but having designed invitations for 8 years, I felt rather comfortable reentering the wedding industry. Being a part of the wedding day itself is so much more fulfilling than invitations; the bubbly vibe is just irresistible. I understand the client’s need to feel like they’re in good hands, that their vendors are on top of everything. If someone puts a piece of their event in my hands, I am going to go above and beyond to get it done to the very best of my ability. I do not take the responsibility lightly!

I’d say I’m most well-known and sought after for my crisp script and florals, but I love when someone comes to me with a unique idea that I can help bring to life. I am so grateful for clients who force me outside of my comfort zone. New challenges allow me to keep growing creatively, which is forever one of my personal and professional goals.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Up until this year, I didn’t really connect with other local artists or wedding vendors. I think I lacked confidence in myself and my worth, not to mention I’m naturally a shy, introverted person. I joined my local Rising Tide chapter and started following an increasing number of peer artist/designer accounts. I admired and supported their work and received the same reinforcement in return. We message each other for information and/or advice. We’ve referred so many clients to one another. Social media has a lot of yucky aspects, but the network of friends/colleagues I’ve found this year is a total game-changer. I truly wish I’d reached out sooner!

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Whenever I feel lost or helpless, I tend to pivot toward creativity. It has always been my refuge in times of trouble.

When I was feeling unsure about my chosen major in 2004, I seized the newspaper design opportunity like a lifeline.

From 2008-2012, while my mother fought a losing battle to stage 4 breast cancer, I threw myself into work, staying at the office late. Focusing on my craft kept me sane.

In December 2017, I started experiencing tingling and burning on one side of my head. For months, I went to countless doctors and specialists without getting any answers. Meanwhile, I began my hand-lettering journey and found a source of peace. I began bullet-journaling, which allowed me to chronicle my day-to-day health artistically.

The last specialist I visited was the neurologist, where an MRI revealed a demyelinating brain lesion. The MS specialist diagnosed me with CIS (Clinically Isolated Syndrome), which basically meant I was more at risk for developing multiple sclerosis in the next 5 years. Three things were recommended as immediate treatment: a whole lot of Vitamin D supplements, several intravenous steroid sessions, and getting pregnant. I checked all of those boxes and my symptoms have mostly abated. I haven’t had another full-blown episode, and my lesion has not grown or multiplied. Plus, I charged ahead with my business; it was such a relief to focus on something other than my mysterious ailment.

Creative work fills a space that nothing else can, and I hope it will always be an outlet available to me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.domesticoddessdesigns.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/domesticoddess
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/domesticoddess
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hunt-designer/

Image Credits
Seating Chart Vases photo by Carla Nunez Photography