Meet Kathie Chan: Painter & Screenprinter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathie Chan and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathie, how do you think about risk?
I feel risk taking is absolutely necessary! Sometimes its hard to predict whether something is a good choice but I can say for certain I have not yet once regretted a risk I have taken. I believe the more you put on the line, the greater the reward.

A couple of years ago, I had graduated college with a BFA in Fine Art. I could only find a couple of part time jobs with an art degree. I felt very jaded about art. After some bad luck and struggling to cover living expenses, I decided to pack up and do a farming program in northern CA. I always had this fantasy of living minimally and working in nature. A couple months in, I realized it wasn’t for me and wanted to come back. I found I wanted to continue art and pursued it even harder. I created a screen printing business and found a full time art to support myself.

So yeah, I think risk taking is very important!!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I studied Fine Art in college and although I enjoyed artmaking, I found the theoretical and conceptual side of Fine Art too dull. I became more interested in design, craft and printmaking. Today I work a full time job in the design world and started a screenprinting business on the side.  Kathie Studio is an outlet for the things I enjoy doing. Everything is screenprinted by me in Southern CA and reflect a love of nature, color, and good living.

After 5 years, I still find screen printing exciting and stimulating but who knows? Lately, I’ve been wanting to start selling paintings as well. That’s the beauty of owning you own business.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Hopefully this happens during a post pandemic world! I’m a big foodie so my best friend is gonna be one too! We would visit a lot of local restaurants in Long Beach and a lot of breweries at night. I would like to fit in a couple of hikes during the middle of the week and some trips to some local thrift vintage stores.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout to my parents for always supporting me. They always surprise me with their depth of knowledge and love and for letting me learn my own lessons.

I want to shoutout to my pup Kirby-for always being there for me!

Lastly I want to shoutout to my friends for checking up on me and for getting me out of the house!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/KathieStudio

Instagram: kathie_studio

Image Credits
Kathie Chan