Life & Work with Katie Carrillo of Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Carrillo.

Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I’d always been an artistic kid going up, but I only took art seriously once I got to college. I went to Clemson University in South Carolina for theatrical costume design and loved it! I was so passionate about it that I decided to get my MFA in Costume Design, but after one year of the graduate program, I realized that the theatre industry wasn’t for me. I spent the next year working as a seamstress for a fashion designer and exploring what kind of artist I wanted to be. I started posting my illustrations online in 2022 and made my first sticker design that Spring. I started getting positive feedback on my illustrations, and people asked me for more stickers. I enjoyed drawing whatever I wanted and having people respond well, so my business grew! The local art community I was a part of also really encouraged me. Everyone was kind and inspiring; I was finding a place for myself as an illustrator. I was in Tennessee then and moved to Kansas City in the summer of 2022. I took a little break to get settled, but come November, I hit the ground running for Christmas designs, and I’ve been churning out all of the ideas I have in my head ever since!

Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Any business owner can tell you that starting to work for yourself is a wild ride. It could have been smoother. There were so many things I had to learn, and there are so many things I still need to figure out that I’m doing correctly! Growing my business has also been difficult; from learning graphic design to marketing and social media management, balancing my business with a full-time job took a lot of work. I started 2023 by going part-time to give myself the time and space to see where my business and art would take me. Finances have been tight, but it’s worth it to pursue something I believe in, and that makes me happy.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I love cute things! Anyone who sees my artist booth at markets or pop-ups can see that I’m a huge fan of the color pink and adorable animals. I specialize in colorful illustrations featuring lil critters. My identity as an LGBT and Latina artist is also essential to me, which is present in my work. Along with other people my age, I’m doing a lot of work on giving my inner child what it needs and letting myself enjoy the colorful and fun things in life, so it truly makes me so happy to share my bright and cute work with others! I’m most proud of the pride stickers in my inventory right now. I have a collection featuring different pride flags sold in shops around the country, and some of my stockists have told me how happy customers get and how they feel seen with the stickers. The idea that my art gives people joy makes me want to keep working hard as an artist. I have a strong sense of self, and I’ve been told it shows in my work. I think that, and the fact that I want people to smile and laugh all the time, is what sets me apart from others.

What’s next?
My dream is to support myself as an independent artist fully. It felt so far away at first, but the more time I dedicate to my work, the more opportunities I can take advantage of, and I’ve already grown so much more than I could have imagined one year ago. I’m looking forward to seeing where I am another year from now. I’ve never sold artwork at larger events, like Strawberry Swing events or conventions, so I’d love to make that happen sometime soon! I’d also love to partner with more local businesses in Kansas City. I’ve loved doing pop-ups with local coffee shops and venues. The KC artist and local business community have been extremely welcoming. I haven’t lived here for a year and feel like I belong! I’m also always excited by the opportunity to design different products. I recently started selling apparel and pinback buttons with my artwork, so I’d love to invest in keychains, enamel pins, notepads, and more! I have many ideas; it’s about having the time and funds to make it happen.

Pricing:

• Stickers – $3
• Apparel – $15-$35
• Prints and Greeting Cards – $5-$10
• Pins – $3

Contact Info:

• Website: katiecarrillo.com
• Instagram: @sprt.arts
• Youtube: @sproutarts
• TikTok: @sprout.arts