Kat Liepins Art

You never know what you will find flipping through videos on YouTube late at night.We sit down with Kat Liepins Artist & Video Creator based in Chicago, Illinois.

Who are your biggest influences?

My biggest influence is my father. He is a true maker. He can almost always build it, fix it, and patiently teach you how he did it. My dad is incredibly knowledgeable in the areas of woodworking, metalworking, and automotive work. Some of my earliest and happiest memories are of me and my dad tinkering in his workshop. From teaching me how to measure and use hand tools to covering forms with fiberglass and bondo, there was always something new to learn. To this very day, he’s the first person I call to consult on how to realistically build the projects that live in my imagination. And, I can’t leave out my mom and sister. They are huge supporters of my art. Always along for the ride taking me to extra art classes on the weekends, attending art shows, encouraging me to enter into art contests, and eventually go to art school to earn my B.F.A. These lovely women inspire me to “go for it” every day and I certainly wouldn’t have the guts to put myself and my work out there without them.

What inspires your art and what is your creation process?

What inspires my art?: I usually have dreams about the pieces that I create before I actually make them. They might live on a list of projects for a bit but I usually get around to making them at one point or another. What is my creation process?: I start with my idea, research reference imagery, create a rough sketch on my iPad using Procreate, and refine and colorize the sketch from there. Depending on the requirements of the end deliverable, I might stop my work at the digital file (ex. making merch like t-shirts or prints), or I might use a projector to scale up my work onto a wall (for a mural) or a canvas (for a painting). Then, I use traditional mediums such as acrylics and spray paint and even epoxy resin, when applicable, to finish the art piece before selling it on my website or shipping it off to my client. But, I really enjoy variety and pushing myself to create in new and different ways, so my process is one that I would consider to be ever evolving.

What motivates you to create?

Fame and fortune, of course. Just kidding (sort of)! I am energized by creating art. Creating with my hands and my mind for others to experience, relate to, enjoy and hopefully want to own is exciting and invigorating. It’s an amazing feeling to be told by another human being that you are an inspiration or that your ideas resonate with them on a visceral level. It makes you feel part of a bigger picture and that you are contributing to this giant universe in positive ways.

When is your favorite time of day to create?

I’d love to say that I’m a morning person, but I’m just not. I suppose I am more accurately classified as a late morning or midday person LOL! On an ideal workday (when inspiration strikes), I have my coffee and breakfast, play with my Boston Terrier puppy Bruce and get a 10am start in the studio/workshop and work until bedtime. I do however, make sure to take regular breaks, walk Bruce, and eat snacks and meals in order to prevent burn out.

How has your style changed over time?

Earlier in school when I was just learning how to observe and draw from life, I focused on highly technical realistic graphite sketches with painstaking effort placed on the perfection of shading and light. Later, I worked on portraits in order to make side money while in college. It wasn’t until I started painting with more frequency that I moved further away from photo realism to begin experimenting with bright color palettes and exploring the surreal concepts conjured up by my imagination.

Describe your dream project.

I’d really like to get into fabricating large scale sculpture and sculptural/functional furniture pieces that draw inspiration from my current visual style. I’d like to experiment with using automotive sprays and finishes and it’s also on my art bucket list to write and illustrate short stories/books.

What is your favorite piece of art you’ve created?

My favorite art piece is an acrylic painting of two jumping koi fish that I created over a decade ago. It is in a more blended brushstroke driven style and black and white monochromatic color palette. I’ve never done another work like this since then, but I feel that it was very successful and holds a special place in my heart. It has hung prominently in every apartment that I’ve lived in.

Have you created any other tarot cards that aren’t posted on your Instagram?

To date, I have created imagery and documented the process on my YouTube channel for the Death, The Empress, and The Moon cards. However, creating artwork for a full tarot card deck has been requested by a number of my followers and might make its way onto my list of projects to complete when I have the time and, more importantly, patience to tackle that many cards. LOL

Do you enjoy creating murals?

I do enjoy creating murals! Murals are a nice change of pace and a great opportunity to work on a very large scale. Spray painting murals allows me to be more physical and use my entire body (climbing ladders, stretching, crouching on the ground, etc.) to make the art piece. I have a hard time sitting still at a desk for hours on end. I’d much rather be standing and working at an easel or battling it out with a giant wall.

How long does it take to paint a mural?

The time that it takes to paint a mural depends on the complexity of the piece and the size of the wall. Each one is different. But, as an example, the one that I completed most recently on an 8×8 wall (Modustrial Mural), took nearly five days due to limited access to the space and a delayed paint shipment. These are just the realities you face as an artist. Some restrictions and bumps in the road can be expected to occur with nearly every piece you’ll ever create.

Do you listen to music when you create? If so, what kind of music?

I do listen to music while I work. I absolutely LOVE the 80s! It’s the music I fondly remember singing with my sister in the backseat during long family car rides. Whitney Houston, a-ha, Meatloaf, Pat Benatar, Cheap Trick, Bon Jovi, Poison, Firehouse, Heart are just a small sampling…you get the picture. Basically, anything that I can sing and bop to lives on my Spotify list and is playing in the background while I work.

Do you have interests other than your art?

I love to dance, sing (especially karaoke), watch a shameful number of cheesy horror movies, and hang out with my Boston Terrier puppy Bruce.

Do your other interests influence your art?

Absolutely 100%! I’d have to say that my work is a culmination of many of the interests I’ve had throughout my life. Pop culture in general has had a profound effect on the imagery I create. The movies of Tim Burton have always fascinated me, music videos like Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer” and George Harrison’s “Set on You”, stories found within “Alice in Wonderland” and “Grimm Fairy Tales”, and cartoons like He-Man, Scooby Doo, Courage the Cowardly Dog, Spongebob, and Aeon Flux, inspire some of my color palettes and inspire me to juxtapose horror with humor, resulting in creepy yet approachable imagery.

What are your long term goals?

My long-term goal is to be able to make a lifelong career of being an artist and in whatever form it takes. Performing and visual arts are in my blood and are what I feel that I am best suited for sharing with the world.

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself?

I was a professional ballroom dancer for Arthur Murray for a couple of years right after I graduated from college. I worked as a graphic designer full-time and taught dance part-time and traveled to compete pro-am with students on the weekends.

Where can people look/purchase your work?

My original art pieces are available for viewing and purchase on my website
https://www.katliepinsart.com/
My merchandise (apparel, prints, skateboards, etc.) can be purchased on
https://katliepinsart.threadless.com/

How do you seek out opportunities?

I have to admit that I’ve been very lucky to have clients and collaborators reach out to me about the work that I’m showcasing on my social channels. I don’t do much outreach or additional marketing. I spend more of my time answering inquiries and negotiating commissions–again, I feel very fortunate that this is the case!

How do you promote your work and your shows?

I promote my work primarily via my Kat Liepins Art YouTube channel
(https://www.youtube.com/c/KatLiepinsArt) where I showcase the behind-the-scenes
process of creating my art pieces and do my best to make the viewing experience fun,
entertaining, and educational.
I am also actively providing regular updates on my Instagram (@kat_liepins_art) and
Facebook (@KatLiepinsArt) pages.