We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katt Naz Viloria a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katt Naz thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s jump back to the first dollar you earned as a creative? What can you share with us about how it happened?

My first dollar earned as a creative was back in 2012 when I started making jewelry. My friends were always supportive but when the first stranger bought one of my necklaces at a pop up I was stoked and felt like this was something I could do. It was in a time when Wynwood was a very different place then what it’s now.

Katt Naz, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up with musician parents, my mom a singer and father a percussionist which is how they met in Venezuela back in the 80’s. We arrived at Miami in 1991 when I was almost 2 to visit and ended up staying due to an unforeseen complication with my health. Until I was 12 years old, I was constantly around musicians but always noticed that my mom didn’t just have an incredible voice, she also knew how to sew, draw and paint. My mother is very talented and a huge influence on me, she’s good at anything she sets her mind on even if it means learning a new skill. Growing up in a big city like Miami, I was able to work in different positions between the fashion, nightlife and art industry gaining me a lot of insight on figuring out what I do and don’t like to work in. At 24 I realized that I couldn’t run away from the fact that I am an artist who loves various mediums and that if I was going to pursue any career it would have to be a creative one specially since I wasn’t able to attend college due to my immigration status back then. Now at 34 years old, I find myself living in the Appalachian mountains in Asheville, where I’ve been able to redefine myself and craft. Living here has led me to find the most incredible artist community I have ever encountered. This past year was full of firsts, I was part of “Art in the Park” for the city of Asheville in Pack Square Park creating an interactive installation, received my first artist grant from the N.C. Arts Council and will be the artist in residence at “Lamp Light”, where I’ll be having my first solo exhibition called “Self Discovery” on Friday, September 22 viewing until the 29th of 2023.
It has taken me a decade to figure out what medium I am most passionate about because my brain works all over the place with no boundaries between formats. I think that anything involving creativity is what I’m most passionate about and drives me. My main goal with any work I do is to connect with others, help them realize they’re not alone and that the best life to live is a true one, where you choose to be who you want. To be authentic is a gift and everyone should honor that.
I’m not trying to be different, I don’t want to fit in either, I’m just unapologetically being me and not feeling bad for it anymore. I think that is what sets me and my work apart from others and I really hope it inspires them to be themselves.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

My main resilience story has to be growing up in another country away from my family in Venezuela and then realizing what I was going to have to face after high school with immigration as a young adult. I grew up in Miami Beach since I was almost 2 and once you turn 18, if your immigration status hasn’t been resolved you’re pretty much on your own. This led me down a path of unexpected turns and jobs that I would later realize were meant for me to gain experience in certain industries. I spent over a decade in a weird immigration limbo, where every moment felt never ending and hopeless. Those were dark days but in Miami you can easily distract and numb yourself throughout the chaos. Thankfully, Obama was elected and created the Dreamers Act that made things look a bit brighter for immigrant children who were brought to the U.S. before the age of 16, that’s when I finally began to have hope in being able to create a life where I can build a future. Now being a citizen for over 4 years and looking back, it really makes me believe that there are many obstacles and opportunities put in our way at the right times for a purpose. I’m proud of myself to have pushed through and that the creative path has continued to put itself in my way despite the challenges.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me the most rewarding aspect of being an artist is living in the mind of an artist. Seeing the beauty in the things that most don’t. Torturing ourselves in the process of creation to be able to breathe life into an idea through our hands that connects with someone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kattnaz.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/kattnaz
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtbyKattNaz/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katerine-n-viloria-17193951
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Kattnaz/