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

Hi Katrina, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I believe risk taking is the cornerstone of being an artist and art business. In creating I find a level of going out of my comfort zone often by experimenting in areas I haven’t done before and enjoying the element of suprise when mistakes happen. It’s all so risky to bring new beauty into the world.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve remembered a quote from Dollie Pardon through the years that says if you want to see the rainbow you have to put up with a little rain. So I wouldn’t say my journey has been hard or easy, instead I’d say it’s been the process for close to 20 years now professionally. It’s actually been a series of events with many up’s downs and arounds that keep moving my career forward. All the while this whole journey keeps strengthening why I do what I do. It’s the love of it. Waking up at 5am ready to create for the joy to see what comes out. Working in many mediums according to the vision of what the piece is calling for. Enjoying how much art truly brings joy into people’s lives. Knowing long after I’m gone that love lives on in the people who cared about what I created in love. It’s among many reasons why my slogan is “Love is in the art.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
San Antonio is so great for exploring! I absolutely enjoy knowing you can eat in a different place all year round without having the same thing if you didn’t want. From Lebanese foods, to Puerto Rican food and Thai. The food is as diverse as the people and I often have great conversations with friendly people. After dinner, there are many places to visit downtown that are 15 minutes drive away. The Riverwalk, bike trails and the Tea Garden are just a few gorgeous places. One of my favorite places to visit is LaVillita. It’s this adorable little village of art and artists in the heart of San Antonio with shops, art galleries and festivals all year. Then, if you enjoy nature but would like the quiet of being alone, the parks are wonderful for that. I know many days I’ll grab a sketch book and a blanket to sit in the grass of Brackenridge Park being surrounded by tall trees without the noise of a big city, and still being in the city. I really enjoy being in San Antonio because there is always something fun to do.

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?
When I look back on my life to connect the dots of events that have been preparing me to share what I do today, I can sincerely say I’ve been blessed to have the people in my life I did. My Mom was a force of nature. She enjoyed working on many crafts and sewed our clothes from an early age. She would show me what she did as I sat and watched. Taught me how to sew at 9 where I eventually made my own clothes. She encouraged me to keep doing new things and she always had a book in hand. She would tell me if you don’t know something don’t take someone else’s opinion on it, go find out for yourself. Then give it your all. Everything I am and will become I owe it to her. All through school my middle school, my art teacher Mr. Genter, created with me after school then in high school my art teachers Ms. Watkins then Mr. Jacquay did the same. During those times, high school wasn’t my finest hour because I was the different, chubby kid wanting to fit in, but didn’t. The joy I had for art and creating with my art teachers carried me through school to graduate. It was something I looked forward to when school wasn’t enjoyable. I so appreciate them for the care they showed me everyday.

Website: www.katrinagormandesigns.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/katrinagormandesigns
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/katrina-gorman-4a0a16189
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatrinaGormanDesigns
Youtube: www.youtube.com/channel/UCx_tNQx3h56v-k0OeQSot8g
Other: On the GLOW Weekly Art Blog https://mailchi.mp/e6cac3bd21e6/ready-to-know-on-the-glow

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.