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

Krista, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

At a young age I was always drawn to art. Even though it was just for enjoyment it was something that was in my nature to do. As the years went on and I was a high school, I met my art teacher, who would then become my life long mentor. She introduced me to the world of art galleries, art exhibits, museums and chalk events to name just a few. It was at this point that I met professional artists, and it blew my mind that they got paid to make art! Growing up in a low income area and going to public schools, I really wasn’t introduced to the idea of art being a profession. It was just something that you did for fun, nothing more. I started seeing my art in a business aspect and spent the next years doing commission work, taking on some mural work and showing and selling my paintings in many art shows. While doing all of this, I was also trying to figure out who I was and what I wanted out of life and how art would be intertwined in that. The majority of my 20’s consisted of fine tuning my skills, creating my style and meeting so many supportive artists/friends along the way. When I turned 30, I was given the opportunity to learn to tattoo and that’s when that journey began and still continues. The industry is not an easy one, especially starting out, and on top of that being a single mother! It’s been an exhausting few years to say the least. Tattooing is still a passion of mine and I still do that. However, I refuse to limit myself to just one medium. At 32 I started teaching art to elementary students and fell in love with sharing my knowledge and experience in art to these little artists. This past year I became an art coach for high school students and it’s been such an honor to be able to mentor and educate this amazing generation of young artists. It feels nice to give back. I never really planned on pursuing art education as a profession, but it’s been the best challenge and journey so far in my art career. Who knows where I’ll be in the next few years. But i’ll still be creating as I’ve always done.

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

My background lies in being a freelance artist and essentially an entrepreneur. I began my art career seriously in my early 20’s mainly focusing on paintings and commission pieces. I took those years as my “field work”. Meaning, I was learning from my fellow artist, networking, observing booth set ups at events and just overall figuring out how to be a successful freelance artist. It was overwhelming at times and intimidating but I learned to just focus on the task at hand. It was when I started tattooing that I really threw myself into doing events, working on my booth presentation, and merchandising my designs. As my tattooing began I also became a mother, and did that throw me in for a loop! Since becoming a mother, my drive and motivation completely shifted in a way that I became more ambitious than I ever had, especially being a single mother.

When I began teaching, I moved my focus on learning how to implement my strange and unconventional journey in the arts into lesson plans. It’s pretty cool being able to share my story and all of the continuous ups and downs from being a freelance artist to tattooing to my students. I teach K-12 and it’s been such a pleasure passing down my knowledge and connecting with them through art. I teach elementary art for an after school program called Room 13 by Light Bringer Project, this program is aimed for public schools giving these students the access to free art education. I also work as an Art Coach for high school grades 9th-12th, and wow are these kids gifted! I can’t explain how proud I am of all my students, from the little ones to those about to graduate high school. It’s for sure a full circle feeling for me as I think back to my younger days and all the insecurities you feel as a young artist. I’m a big believer in giving back and helping out our community, and art education is my way of doing that.
Another passion I have is history, and I’m lucky enough to be a museum guide at the El Pueblo Historical Monument. My goal is to bridge those two worlds art and history, to me they go hand in hand. So we’ll see what the next few years bring for me. All I know is that I am proud of all my accomplishments thus far in my life.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My biggest goal is to be successful for my daughter by doing what I love, and showing her that with hard work you can obtain any goal you set out for yourself. I was never one to think that you have to stick to just one thing to be successful. I have many interests but as the years have gone by those interests have filtered to just a few. I essentially want to provide free art education/resources to low income communities, as I come from that community. With doing so, it’ll provide a safe space for those who need it and teach them confidence.

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

I was in the middle of beginning my tattoo career when I was trying to balance being a mother and artist. Not an easy thing to do at all, but somehow I was managing, just barely. Life is funny in the sense that it just hits you with the unexpected pretty hard. My partner left me and I became a single mother, and it just seemed that my whole world was crumbling all at once. So now that I had to figure out what the next move was, I was presented with the chance to take on a teaching position. Another funny thing about life, one moment everything is falling apart and the next you get a saving grace. Even though I love tattooing I wasn’t making enough to support my daughter or myself. However, working for the school did provide for us and still does. I still make time to tattoo when I can, and I know I always will. It’s something I added to my belt of experiences.

Contact Info:

• Website: theartofkap.com
• Instagram: kittykap90
• Other: TIkTok @kittykap_90