Meet Karina Konupek | Artistic Entrepreneur and Creative Director

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

Hi Karina, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Risk-taking is at the heart of any creative career, especially in the world of artistic entertainment. For me, taking risks has always meant pushing boundaries, trusting my instincts, and being willing to venture into new, uncharted territories. When I started Artistic LA over 18 years ago, it was a leap of faith. The entertainment industry is competitive and constantly evolving, but I was determined to carve out a niche that emphasized artistic expression in unique, joyful, and elegant ways.

From taking on high-profile events and productions to offering innovative services like airbrush, glitter, and flash tattoos for all age groups, I’ve always embraced opportunities that challenges me and my team to grow. A big risk was deciding to expand from traditional face painting to a broader range of artistic experiences, customization and catering to clients from 3 to 60+. This move required investment in trust of my self and others, product and equipment, but it paid off by opening doors to high-profile premieres and production companies that now trust us with fully customized artistic designs and services.

Taking risks has taught me that it’s not just about capturing every opportunity but about choosing the ones that align with my passion for creating meaningful, lasting value. Risk is about innovation, developing confidence, and not just staying ahead of trends but delivering them better than most, which has helped Artistic LA remain a trusted name in the entertainment world. Every time we step into a new project, we risk putting ourselves out there creatively, but that’s what makes the magic happen.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets us apart from others?
It’s always a challenge to answer this while staying humble, but I know we’re different. At Artistic LA, our mission goes beyond simply providing entertainment—we aim to elevate every event, transforming it into a creative, immersive experience. Myself and my team of vetted artists bring talent, intuition, and a personal touch to every interaction. The result? No two guests ever walk away looking the same. We specialize in artistic moments that cater to all ages, from vibrant face and body art for children to intricate, refined designs for adults.

What really sets us apart is our ability to blend playfulness with sophistication. We can seamlessly move from bold, imaginative designs for kids to elegant, polished looks for corporate events and high-profile clients. A big trend in our industry is branding events, and we thrive on it. We often tell marketing agencies, “If you can think it, we can make it happen.” That freedom allows us to craft memorable moments that not only resonate with attendees but leave a lasting impression of the brand itself. I personally love the challenge of blending creativity with strategic branding—making events both impactful and enjoyable is truly exciting.

What am I most proud of in my career?
I’m incredibly proud of the impact our work has made, whether it’s at family events or large-scale productions. Rising to the challenges presented is incredibly gratifying. We’ve had the pleasure of working with a diverse range of clients, from families celebrating milestones to productions needing innovative temporary tattoos. Being a part of the first ever reality TV show like Skin Wars and Fresh Paint was incredibly rewarding—not just because of the theme, but because I felt a responsibility to support the representation of the body painting industry in a positive light; while supporting the production company with my experience. On another show, one memorable moment was bringing a “real-sized” body-painted model onto Kris (Kardashian) Jenner’s TV show to engage with the panel and demonstrate how fun body art can be. The model later thanked me for giving her the opportunity, expressing gratitude that, despite not having the typical TV look, she was selected to be part of the project.

But some of the most cherished memories come from smaller, more personal interactions—especially with children. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing transformations that go beyond the art itself, like a typically restless child sitting still, entranced by the face painting process. Or a non-verbal child proudly telling everyone, “I’m a cat!” after seeing their face art. These moments of joy and self-expression are a big part of why I do what I do. And with adults, that heartwarming reaction of, “Wow! This is more than I expected,” never gets old.

While those smaller moments hold deep meaning, I’ve also had the honor of working on bigger projects that showcase the impact of my work on a larger scale. Creating a campaign for the San Diego Zoo that ran on buses and billboards every October across the city for four years was thrilling. Another memorable project was creating a Day of the Dead makeup design for Sephora x JC Penney’s online advertising. It was a high-pressure job, especially since I couldn’t get close to the model’s face due to the camera setup, but the final result is now referenced by clients every Halloween season. Truly, there are so many moments! And anytime my client is thrilled with the out come, I have saved production both time, money and headaches or a child smiles is a pride filled moment.

Reflecting on my career, I’m amazed at the milestones I’ve reached. Whether working with someone notable in music, television, or creating cherished moments for families, I’m constantly reminded of the deep connection between art, culture, and people. Having grown up in the entertainment business but feeling like I didn’t fit in, I now know that I always belonged in this creative world. It’s incredible to realize that nearly every day, through music, media, or other cultural touchpoints, I can point to a project I’ve worked on.
We are here today professionally because there is no better marketing skill than consistency, gratitude and progress! I firmly believe that our commitment to consistently leveling up our services, honing our skills, and nurturing a genuine desire for improvement has been the driving force behind the success of my art business. By delivering high-quality experiences time and again, delivering what we have been contracted to do, and having the expertise to quickly pivot, we’ve built a reputation that clients can trust.

The cherry on top is being able to call myself a ‘Professional Artist’—it breaks cultural paradigms and brings me immense satisfaction

Has it been easy?
LOL, running a business in Los Angeles definitely has its challenges! The rapid turnover of department leads within our client companies often means we need to reintroduce ourselves and our services to new decision-makers. While this can make relationship-building tricky, we’ve been fortunate to consistently attract new clients thanks to our reputation for creativity and quality.

Working with a variety of artists and vendors also comes with its own set of challenges, as many have different business practices. Navigating these dynamics requires patience and adaptability, but overcoming these hurdles strengthens our resolve. And, to be honest, as a recovering introvert, running a service based business has been its own journey, too!

My personal journey has been one of persistence and passion. Having defected from the Czech Republic in the late 1960s, my family faced numerous challenges. Excellence and courage were ingrained in me, shaped by the resilience of my heritage. Growing up in a lineage of artists and a family of creatives , I always felt that art was my calling, even when pursuing it in the U.S. wasn’t always supported. Despite those challenges, my passion for creating has been a necessary expression of my spirit. What began as a small personal endeavor has grown into a company that’s trusted by high-profile clients and families alike.

What do I want people to know about Artistic LA’s brand?
At the heart of Artistic LA is a deep love for art and creativity. We don’t just provide services—we create opportunities for self-expression and celebration. Every project we take on is a chance to leave a lasting impression, and that’s what drives us forward. Our success is rooted in consistency, gratitude, and progress. By continually leveling up our skills, delivering on what we promise, and staying adaptable, we’ve earned our clients’ trust and loyalty. These values are the backbone of Artistic LA. Our ability to pivot quickly, meet demands, and exceed expectations allows us to create lasting relationships and deliver memorable moments at every event. Every project we take on is a chance to leave a lasting impression of what is possible and that’s what drives us.

The mission at Artistic LA is to create meaningful moments—whether it’s a simple face painting or an elaborate event. We want to remind people that art is a haven for the soul, whether you’re the artist, the canvas, or the viewer.

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.
Where would I take a friend visiting LA? That’s a great question! Just like how I tailor my services for clients, I would customize the experience for my friend based on their interests. As a recovering introvert, I tend to keep a low profile, but through my career, I’ve discovered so many fascinating pockets throughout the city. There are so many cultural experiences to engage in weekly. We could explore the serene beauty of Descanso Gardens, wander through Little Tokyo, or immerse ourselves in the vibrant Arts District downtown. I’d definitely want to include some of the incredible museums around town, too. The best thing about LA is that there’s always something new and interesting to experience, making every visit unique!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Although I’ve done most of my training independently, there are four remarkable people who reignited my passion for art at a time when I was emotionally drained and disheartened after earning my Bachelor’s in Art. These individuals helped me rediscover my love for creative expression and breathed life back into my journey as a professional artist.

When I first delved into the world of Face and Body Art, my initial class was with Mark Reid, a brilliant and kind-hearted artist who openly shares his passion in a gentle way. His approach made me feel empowered, and after completing my first full face makeup—a tiger—I knew I had found an industry where I could truly thrive.

Then came Nick and Brian Wolf, twin creatives whose insistence that art should always be fun; with a touch of rebellion, showed me a whole new perspective. Finally, Jinny (of Mehron) who brought a woman’s touch to my learning, demonstrating the elegance and colorful intuition that defines her work and had deeply influenced my own.

While I’ve had the privilege of learning from many incredible instructors since then, you never forget the ones who make the first and lasting impact.

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