Interview with Katura Gaines

Could you introduce yourself? How did you enter the art world?

I was born in 1993 in Colorado. Art has always been a part of my life, my mother used to paint herself, and I remember looking at her paintings in the hallway, wishing that my art could look like hers one day. Fast forward a few years, and my school had a scholastic book fair. I’ve always been a bookworm as well, and was extremely excited! That was the first time my mom actually bought me an art book to learn how to draw. I’ve been drawing ever since. In high school I took a class in digital media that introduced the idea of using a drawing tablet. I had never had the opportunity to use one before, but once I knew how to use it, I moved into drawing digitally. Since then I’ve illustrated books, created clothing, had my work shared around the world, and been able to move into doing art full time.

When I got older, I found myself inspired by the typical things almost all artists my age were inspired by (anime, video games, cartoons on tv, etc.) but I also noticed that the characters in most of these shows/games didn’t look like me, or anyone in my family. The older I got, the more media I consumed and the more I noticed a void in the art realm for people that looked like me. I decided I wanted to be the one to fill that void. Every time someone tells me that my work reminds them of someone they know, it warms my heart.

How do you make your living?

Being able to support oneself with art is one thing, but what I really find successful as an artist is getting to express your ideas and have people invested in the stories your art tells.