Katie Von Kral

"My inspiration comes from loving what I am painting, doing a great job, and knowing that it is going to make someone happy, feel something deep, or inspire them."

Q. Tell everyone who you are and what you do.

A. I am Katie Von Kral, and I am a professional artist, having worked in the industry for over 25 years. I am a painter. I paint original artworks on canvas, custom art on canvas and murals, and I also do live (speed) painting events for charity events, festivals, concerts, and even birthdays!

Q. What inspired you to want to be a pro artist?

A. Art was something I was always “good” at, but it was the artist/muralist who was doing work in my parent’s house when I was in high school that encouraged me to follow art as a career. I loved doing it but hadn’t planned on it being my life. I was also very academic. This muralist started hiring me in high school to assist her on her projects. That is what really got me going in the art field. Then I chose to major in it for college and I continued to put myself through college doing custom murals for clients. Ultimately, art worked for me because it was a challenge. I had to use both my creative side and business side in order to succeed. Having a determined personality and a painful medical condition (endometriosis) that made it difficult for me to not work for myself, art worked for me.

Q. How do you define your purpose in life?

A. For me, my purpose is to share the gifts God has given me and through that, hopefully inspire people, encourage people, help people, and guide others to grow, seek Him and find their purpose. Everything starts under that umbrella and then gets more detailed from there.

Q. Let’s talk about your speed painting show and the motivation behind it?

A. Speed painting is fun to me. There is a lot of work that goes into speed painting. Most people don’t realize that I have to practice a new piece close to 15-20 times before I go on stage. I enjoy speed painting though because I get to be around people, and it gets me out there where more people can see my work at once. It sparks people’s interest to find out more about my art and leads them to see the detailed original custom work that I have been putting hard work into for years. I am half introvert and half extrovert, so, speed painting gets me out of the studio and feeds my extrovert side and I like that.

Q. Who are your biggest artistic influences?

A. The artist lady I mentioned above that first inspired me to follow art is my first biggest artistic influence, Tina DiaGianatassio. To this day, I talk to her at least a few times a month and I couldn’t be more thankful for her guidance and friendship. The second biggest influence would be Frederick J. Brown, who passed away a few years ago. He was mentored by Willem de Kooning, who was mentored by Picasso. I was able to spend a lot of time with him in the studio and him being an expressionist style artist, encouraged me to take more creative risks with my work. He also had a lot to say about life and he was the kind of person that you could talk to for hours and not know the time had passed.

your inspiration?

A. The inspiration for my work comes from the things I love or believe in, or from my client’s custom pieces that involve sentimental stories that make them happy. I like colorful art that is somewhat representative but also expressive and “pops” too. My inspiration comes from loving what I am painting, doing a great job, and knowing that it is going to make someone happy, feel something deep, or inspire them.

Q. Describe how art is important to society?

A. Art is important for several reasons. I believe that art depicts history through different people’s eyes. I think art is a form of expression for many and sometimes the only way they can express. I think art is a unique way for someone who can’t do art to give a sentimental gift that can be passed as an heirloom for centuries. I think art can be a financial investment. And then I think it’s as simple as art decorates a home, or an office, or a restaurant and it can make you feel serene, on edge, progressive, melancholy, inspired and on and on! Think of how boring the walls would be of every home and building you walked into if there was NO ART.

Q. What are some of your goals you want to accomplish in 2022?

A. For the remainder of 2022, I plan to continue the work I have on the books regarding speed paintings and custom projects. I will also begin taping episodes for the television series “The Reveal” that I am starring in which will appear on a new network launching in 2023, “Wild Rides Television.” This opportunity evolved from my appearance on a couple episodes of Special Cowboy Moments on RFDTV and the Cowboy Channel that has over 50 million household viewers. Also, I have been chosen to be a spokesperson artist model for a health and wellness company (buyverve.com), that has several products that have aided in everything from better skin, overall health, and even reducing endo pain. I will be beginning the campaigns for that as well before the end of the year.

Q. Are you working on any new events or projects?

A. Currently I am working on a speed painting of a huge musician here in the valley that just passed away. I will be painting it at the service that is being held where most like thousands of people will show up. I also will be performing at the Cowboy Ball in Coeur d’ Alene, ID and again at the Celebrity Softball Classic at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, with an array of athletes and celebrities which benefiting veterans and veteran services. Some of the custom pieces I am working on for my collectors are surprise collage paintings and will be posted on my social media as I complete them.

Q. Where can the readers follow you?

A. Readers can follow me on my Instagram @artbykvk. My website artbykvk.com or my Facebook @ KVKArtist.