We were lucky to catch up with Katina Inger recently and have shared our conversation below.
Katina , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
We all take risks everyday. I think risk taking means we are traveling along our growth edge. It’s not sustainable as a day to day way of living but more as a marker that we are moving toward something in life. One of the biggest risks I’ve ever taken was stepping away from a conventional life that, on the surface, seemed stable and secure. I gave up a long-term relationship, left a family home where I had lived for eight years, and moved from the East Coast to the West Coast. It wasn’t just about relocating—it was about choosing to embrace art as my full-time passion and life path.
The decision was both exhilarating and terrifying. For years, I had balanced my creative pursuits with the responsibilities of family life and a more traditional career path. But deep down, I knew that my art—the colors, the textures, the connection to mystical and natural realms—was calling me to fully commit. It was as if the universe was whispering that it was time to align my outer life with my inner truth.
When I arrived on the West Coast, everything felt unfamiliar, yet alive with possibility. I started creating with a newfound freedom, drawing from my experiences and the cycles of nature that surrounded me. This risk brought challenges, of course—moments of doubt, financial uncertainty, and the ache of leaving behind what was familiar. But it also brought profound growth and connection. My work now carries the essence of that journey: the healing, the rituals, the vibrational frequencies that guided me through.
In hindsight, taking that leap was the most aligned choice I could have made. It taught me that living authentically, even when it’s scary, is the most powerful way to honor oneself and one’s creative spirit.
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?
I was born into a world of creativity, raised by Woodstock-going hippies who lived and breathed artistry. My father, a painter, photographer and potter, showed me the beauty of working with my hands and seeing the world through the lens of an artist. My mother’s creativity was boundless—she sewed clothes, made dolls, and tended our organic garden. She taught me the rhythms of nature’s cycles, the artistry of cooking, and the magic of the stars. Her strength and wisdom instilled in me a deep connection to the earth and the power of ritual. Their example taught me that artistry isn’t confined to one medium; it’s a way of life, an essence that flows through everything we create.
This foundation shaped my path as I began painting in my early 20s while living in an artist warehouse space in Boston. Immersed in a vibrant, creative environment, my passion for art flourished. Over time, I was drawn to ceramics and spent years at the Harvard Ceramic Studio in Cambridge, MA, hand-building abstract sculptural pieces that celebrated texture and process over conventional beauty. Around the same time, I began learning glassblowing at MIT, captivated by its heat, shine, and immediacy. The medium taught me to embrace impermanence and the beauty of transformation, lessons that resonate deeply in my current work. I eventually taught beginner classes until I was seven months pregnant with my first child.
Life brought unexpected challenges after my daughter was born. When she was three, we were both diagnosed with Lyme disease—a condition I had unknowingly carried and passed to her in utero. The diagnosis was devastating but also clarifying, leading us into years of holistic healing, detoxification, and personal growth. A week after her diagnosis, I discovered I was carrying with second child, who was also born with Lyme disease. This chapter of my life became a crucible for transformation, reshaping my consciousness and grounding me in the healing power of nature, ritual, and creativity.
In 2019, I returned to painting, this time with a renewed sense of purpose. What began with watercolors soon evolved into acrylics, a medium that felt like coming home. Painting became both a sanctuary and a channel for expressing the meditative visions, colors, and feelings that emerged during my healing journey. My work began to incorporate themes of frequency, vibration, color therapy, ritual, seasonal cycles, tarot, and astrology—all reflections of my inner world and my connection to the natural and mystical realms.
In 2023, I took another leap of faith, leaving the East Coast with my two children for a 4.5-month journey across the U.S. This pilgrimage through diverse landscapes—from the deserts of New Mexico to the forests of the Pacific Northwest and finally to the California coast—deeply influenced my art. Immersing myself in the land introduced more grounded and earthly elements into my work, further aligning it with my belief that art can be a source of healing and connection.
At the heart of my practice is the understanding that art holds frequency—it can shape the energy of a space and touch the soul. I aim to create pieces that are not only visually compelling but also imbued with grounding, serene, and healing vibrations. Whether through the symbolic language of color, the rhythm of natural cycles, or the quiet power of ritual, my art is designed to harmonize with the spaces it inhabits, offering a sense of balance and inspiration. I want my work to reflect the beauty of living in alignment with nature and the divine, serving as both a mirror and a guide for those who encounter it.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
Growing up, I held the belief that art wasn’t meant for me. My brother was the “artist” in the family, and I saw his talent as something innate and exclusive. I admired his skill but felt that artistry was his domain, not mine. It was a quiet narrative I carried for years, one that placed creativity on a pedestal I thought I couldn’t reach.
It wasn’t until I got older, while living in an artist warehouse in Boston, that I began to explore and develop my own artistic voice. Surrounded by a community of creators, I realized that art wasn’t about innate talent or exclusivity—it was about expression, exploration, and connection. Slowly, I began to see creativity as something intrinsic to being human, a natural extension of how we process and share our experiences.
Unlearning the idea that art was reserved for a select few was liberating. It allowed me to embrace the idea that all humans are artists in their own way. Creativity is our birthright—it’s how we connect to ourselves, to others, and to the world around us. Whether it’s through painting, writing, cooking, or even the way we design our lives, art is a universal language that everyone can speak.
This lesson has become a cornerstone of my work and my philosophy. Through my art, I aim to inspire others to tap into their own creative genius, not as a pursuit of perfection but as a process for personal expression and healing. I want people to know that art isn’t about being “good” at it—it’s about being true to yourself and finding joy in the process.
Now, I see art as a bridge to the divine, a way to listen to the whispers of our inner world and bring them into reality. My hope is that my journey encourages others to pick up a brush, a pen, or whatever medium calls to them, and discover the transformative power of creating from the heart.
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
I’m still very much in the process of building my social media presence, and it’s been a journey of learning, experimenting, and growing. One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is to simply keep showing up. Consistency is key—not just in posting but in being authentic and connecting with others.
For me, building a presence isn’t just about numbers; it’s about finding my soul family. Social media can be a powerful tool for connection, and I approach it as a way to share my art, my values, and my journey with others who resonate with the same ideas.
I’ve found it helpful to look to leaders in my niche for inspiration. I study how they show up—what feels authentic, engaging, and aligned—and then I adapt those insights to fit my own voice and vision. It’s not about copying; it’s about learning and finding what resonates with me and my audience.
Trying new things has also been essential. Whether it’s sharing a behind-the-scenes look at my creative process, talking about the rituals that inspire my work, or discussing the healing themes that run through my art, I experiment to see what sparks engagement and connection. Social media is a dynamic space, and I’ve learned to embrace it as a creative extension of my work.
For those just starting out, my advice is to stay authentic and patient. It’s easy to get caught up in metrics, but what truly matters is the quality of your connections. Share your story, your process, and your passion in a way that feels genuine. People are drawn to authenticity, and when you show up as yourself, you’ll naturally attract those who align with your vision.
Social media is a tool, but it’s also a space for community. It’s not just about broadcasting—it’s about listening, engaging, and building relationships. If you approach it with intention and an open heart, it can become a meaningful way to amplify your voice and connect with others who share your values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://katinaingerart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikiskolors/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KatinaIngerArt/
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@kikiskolors
