We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katie Kraemer a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My mother played a quiet but unwavering role in shaping me as an artist. From a young age, she never pushed me into any particular path but always nurtured my creativity, letting it bloom at its own pace. She saw my love for making things—whether it was art, jewelry, or other craft projects—and she fed that spark without ever trying to control it.

When I hit rough patches in college, struggling with complex projects or self-doubt, it was her voice I heard in my head, calm and encouraging. She never told me exactly what to do or how to fix it, but her belief in me was the fuel I needed to keep going.

She never gave up on me, even when I wasn’t sure of myself.

My love of pattern design actually started when I was little, and my mother and grandmother would take me along to the fabric store. I’d tag along as they sifted through the endless rows of colorful fabrics, and they’d always involve me in picking out patterns. I’d wander off on my own, exploring the aisles and pulling out bolts of fabric that spoke to me. Sometimes they’d even incorporate my picks into their projects, validating my choices and helping me see how the patterns I chose could come together in a way that worked.

My mom and grandma had beautiful gardens, and I would spend hours with them, planting flowers and tending to the garden beds. It wasn’t just about digging and planting—it was about paying attention to how colors bloomed together, how one flower would complement another, and how the patterns in nature seemed to flow and repeat in their own, organic way. Gardening with them sparked a love for floral patterns that would later spill over into my art.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

As an artist, I draw my inspiration primarily from the natural world—its beauty, patterns, and intricate details. From the delicate veins in a leaf to the repetition of shapes in a field of flowers, I find endless wonder in nature’s designs. This connection serves as the foundation of my work.

My background in art history, particularly Medieval art and the Italian Renaissance, has shaped my understanding of balance, symmetry, and the spiritual connection between humanity and nature. While my early work focused on developing logos for small businesses, I soon realized that my true passion lies in capturing the timeless beauty of the natural world. This led me to explore pattern design, where I could express my love for texture, repetition, and the details found in nature.

My goal is to develop multiple streams of income through my designs and visual art, including licensing, original prints, and arts and crafts fairs. By sharing my work in these ways, I hope to not only create a sustainable livelihood but also encourage others to appreciate and protect the environment that inspires my art.

Through my work, I aim to forge a deeper connection between people and the natural world, using art as a reminder of the beauty around us and the need to preserve it for future generations.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Bonnie Christine’s Immersion online course, which I took in 2021, was a revelation for me. It was the perfect combination of technical learning and personal growth. I had been using Adobe Illustrator for my pattern designs, but I knew I could dive deeper into its capabilities. Bonnie’s course gave me the opportunity to master the software, while also gaining insights into the broader aspects of a creative career.

What really stood out were the professional tips on time management and mindset. As a mother balancing freelance work with family, I struggled with staying focused and organized. Bonnie Christine’s guidance on managing time effectively helped me create a more structured approach to my work, allowing me to make the most of the limited hours I had each day. She also emphasized the importance of cultivating the right mindset, which was crucial in overcoming the self-doubt that often comes with being a creative entrepreneur.

Another key takeaway was the idea of creating multiple streams of income. Bonnie Christine encouraged us to think beyond just one stream of revenue, which resonated with me as I was already juggling different types of design work. It made me realize the importance of diversifying my income sources, from selling patterns to working on client projects, and even exploring licensing opportunities.

Overall, Immersion transformed how I viewed my career, giving me the confidence, tools, and mindset to push forward and embrace new possibilities in my creative journey.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want my work to highlight the beauty of the natural world and remind others of its importance in conservation and protection. Too often, we overlook the everyday wonders around us—the delicate patterns in leaves, the vibrant colors of flowers, the intricate textures of tree bark. These small moments of beauty are vital to the health of our planet and deserve our attention.

This connection to nature reminds me that it’s worth protecting. Every tree, flower, and animal plays a vital role in the web of life, and our actions today will determine how much beauty remains for future generations. Through my art, I hope to inspire others to stop and appreciate the world around them and to see the urgency in conserving it. If we pause long enough to truly notice the beauty in nature, we can better understand its value and find the motivation to protect it for years to come.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://katiekraemerdesigns.com
• Instagram: katie_kraemer_designs
• Facebook: Katie Kraemer

Image Credits

Head shot-Debbie Buchanan