Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katy Feiling. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katy, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I’m absolutely happier as an artist, but yes, there are definitely moments when I’ve thought it might have been easier to just have a “regular” job. Those thoughts usually pop up during times of financial stress or when our household budget gets a little tighter. Planning my wedding was one of those times, but I actually had that thought again pretty recently when I was furloughed from my full-time design job. I remember thinking, “Wow, if I had just become a nurse this probably wouldn’t have happened.”

But those thoughts never stick around for very long. The idea of working in a field that isn’t creative honestly feels worse to me than the temporary financial stress. Creating and designing is what makes me feel like myself. It’s what energizes me and what I love to do.

Life is short, and I can’t imagine spending most of my time doing something I’m not passionate about. Creative careers definitely come with ups and downs, but I’ve learned that things usually work themselves out one way or another. Even when things feel uncertain in the moment, if you just keep going and get to the next chapter, it’s almost always worth it.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’ve been creating for as long as I can remember. I was always the kid drawing or painting, and growing up I took as many art classes as I possibly could. That eventually led me to art school, and from there I started freelancing whenever I have had the chance. For a long time, I accepted just about any kind of commission that came my way. I painted a lot of custom shoes along the way! At times it could be exhausting, but I’ve always been incredibly grateful that people trusted me to bring their ideas to life.

One commission I’ve always loved, though, is pet portraits. There’s something really special about getting to capture someone’s beloved animal and turning that connection into something permanent, and it’s still one of my favorite things to paint. I work primarily with custom commissions and original artwork, creating pieces that feel personal and have heart.

It took me a while to really find my niche, but once I started leaning into the things that I genuinely love, everything began to click. My work now tends to have a whimsical, slightly spooky feel. Halloween and horror have always been huge inspirations for me, and I love combining that darker aesthetic with playful characters and personality.

One thing that’s always been important to me is making sure every piece I create is something I’m truly proud of. I never want to deliver work that I wouldn’t happily hang in my own home. I put a lot of care and attention into the details so that each piece feels thoughtful and unique.

Lately I’ve also been pushing myself to show my work in exhibitions, even though pitching myself still makes me a little nervous. That’s something I’m really proud of – stepping outside my comfort zone and sharing my work more publicly. My biggest hope is that the passion I have for my subject matter and my craft comes through in every piece I create.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think the most important thing that society can do to support artists is actually pretty simple: share their work, encourage them, and pay them fairly.

Putting your art out into the world can be a really vulnerable thing. When an artist shares something they’ve created, they’re opening themselves up to feedback and criticism from anyone who happens to see it. Because of that, even small gestures of support can mean a lot. A like, a comment, or sharing someone’s work on social media might seem small, but to the person who made it, that kind of encouragement can be incredibly motivating. Sometimes knowing that even one person connected with your work is enough to keep you going.

It’s also important to recognize that creative work has real value. Artists put an incredible amount of time, skill, and heart into what they create, and they deserve to be compensated for that. You wouldn’t ask your barber for a free haircut, and the same idea applies to artists.

At the end of the day, creativity has always been a huge part of being human. Supporting artists, whether that’s by sharing their work, encouraging them, or paying them for their work, helps make sure that creativity continues to thrive.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, the most rewarding part of being an artist is bringing something from my imagination into the real world. There’s something really special about starting with just an idea in your head and then slowly building it into something tangible with your own hands. Seeing that vision come to life is an incredible feeling.

It’s especially rewarding when I finish a piece and feel completely satisfied with it. When I can look at it and think, “That’s exactly what I pictured.” Those moments are actually pretty rare, but when they happen, it’s the best feeling.

Like most artists, I’m definitely my own toughest critic. I can usually find something I wish I had done differently, even if other people love the piece. Sometimes I can nitpick something so much that I start to dislike the entire piece altogether. So when I create something that feels just right, something I wouldn’t change at all, that’s when it feels the most rewarding. Those are the moments that remind me why I love creating in the first place.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katyfeiling.com
• Instagram: katepaints_
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kfeiling

Image Credits

Headshot – Christian Rojas