Meet Kara Duffus | Artist | Photographer | Educator | Post Production

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

Hi Kara, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started doing what I loved to do! If you start with what you love to do…you can never go wrong!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
– I am a plein air artist who studies urban and natural landscapes. I work in oil, ink, watercolor, and photography. I am most proud of being able to give back to the community through educating many people about art over the years. Now, I am most excited about where my personal work will take me next!
-How did you get to where you are today? Was it easy?
Through tons of hard work! Was it easy? No! Working in the arts is not for the faint at heart. For many years I worked multiple jobs to make ends meet and spent any extra time I had on my dream. Through much determination, eventually this paid off where I could make a living in a creative field. I never gave up!

What was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started doing what I loved to do! If you start with what you love to do…you can never go wrong!

Do you have a budget? How do you think about your personal finances and how do you make lifestyle and spending decisions?
I have spent my whole life perfecting my craft, so I follow a few variables for coverage. I budget based on technical aspects needed, time, and material costs. I strive to start with the best as possible, but also understand everyone comes from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

Risk taking: how do you think about risk, what role has taking risks played in your life/career?
I am always open to opportunities, because you never know where it can take you! Sometimes you need to take a risk for inspiration! The biggest risks that I took became my best experiences!

Where are you from and how did your background and upbringing impact who you are today?
I grew up within NYC metro area. My mother was a teacher at a progressive education school that focused on creativity and expression. My father was a freelance film/sound editor in Manhattan. I come from a hard-working creative family, so I learned a lot about work ethic. As a child, I was always encouraged to get my hands dirty creating, painting, and/or photographing something! I earned a BFA at the Conservatory of Art + Design from the State University of New York at Purchase College with a focus in Drawing and Photography. Other institutions of study include: Woodstock School of Art, Sugar Maples Art and Education Center, The Art School at Old Church, and Los Angeles Center of Photography. Since I moved to LA in 2012, I have been a working artist and educator in the field of Drawing, Painting, and Photography for places such as the Hollywood Arts Council, Village Arts Theater, and the Covenant House -Hollywood. I am a member of LA/NYC Urban Sketchers and the Allied Artists of the Santa Monica Mountains. Along with my visual art experience, I have worked as a Post Production Coordinator for AMC, NBC/Peacock, and FX/Hulu.

What is the most important factor behind your success / the success of your brand?
I always deliver! I strive for excellence and the best experience for my clients.

What value or principle matters most to you? Why?
Your word is everything! If you don’t keep your word, then you have nothing.

Work life balance: how has your balance changed over time? How do you think about the balance?
The best advice that I ever got was, “When you are at your busiest, that’s when you have make the time to eat healthy and exercise. You have to take care of yourself or you will burn out fast.”

What’s the end goal? Where do you want to be professionally by the end of your career?
I want to travel the world with my work. Having solo art shows down the line would be really great! I want be that old hippy lady, with laugh lines and stringy white hair painting and sipping tea in the canyons…

Why did you pursue an artistic or creative career?
I have had various jobs and notice that I thrive best in an innovative environment amongst other creatives. I love creating magic or simply just being around it!

Tell us about a book you’ve read and why you like it / what impact it had on you.
I am currently reading a recommended book titled, “Nobody Knows What They’re Doing” by Lee Crutchley. It explores the all the hurdles that artists experience in their career journey. The title alone piqued my interest!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Every time someone visits me in LA for the first time, I take them to Olvera Street!
Beach Day at Pointe Dume, Malibu, or Topanga. Then visit Topanga and 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica.
Los Feliz : Movie at the vintage Los Feliz 3 or the Vista. Food at Taco Tu Madre, Green Leaves Vegan, Home, Mess Hall, or Alcove.
Health & Wellness : Yoga at Yogavibe. The Raven Spa in Silverlake. Hiking in Griffith Park.
Concerts at the Greek Theater & Hollywood Bowl a must!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to thank everyone who believed in me and helped me along the way!

Website: https://www.karaduffus.com

Instagram: kara_duffus_artist