Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Mulder.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Looking back, I can notice creative inclinations throughout my life however both my education and my professional career were far from the creative field. I launched Katie Mulder Creative in early 2017. I had been dabbling with calligraphy and hand lettering after making signs for our wedding. Completely self-taught, I was having a blast with a true side-hustle hobby – making wedding signs, addressing invitations, and teaching the occasional workshop.
In the summer of 2017, we welcomed our first kiddo, and our life rapidly changed as we moved across the country with an 8-week old for my husband’s job. I had always dreamed of owning my own business (not really sure doing what… ha!) but while we were living in a new state… with a newborn baby… it felt like the right time to give it a try and grow my hobby into something more substantial. Growth was hard, I was constantly hustling, and it felt like jobs were few and far between. One night feeling incredibly discouraged and creatively drained I painted what was on my heart… a small watercolor illustration of the home we had left in Prairie Village.
I posted it the next day to my Instagram and overnight I had almost twenty orders. I am still so humbled by the growth of my business but I really attribute it to the fact that the heartbeat of my work is celebrating home. People crave a sense of belonging, of celebrating a piece of their story. And to be able to capture that in a beautiful way is a true privilege. The home illustration side of my business grew so quickly, that I set aside my calligraphy pen to focus solely on home illustrations… oh and having another baby… and moving back to KC. To date, I have illustrated over 400 homes from all across the country and still, I often will tear up reading the “stories of home” that come in with a commission request.
In the past two years, I’ve had a bit more space to push myself creatively and my business has slowly shifted once again. Along with the home portraits, I now offer a full collection of charcoal cityscape sketches, including a Union Station and Plaza sketch (Which you can find at Made In KC or on my website). I’ve also started sharing larger works, abstract landscapes on paper and canvas. Regardless of the medium, I’ve learned I am most drawn to art that means something. Yes, I absolutely want it to be aesthetically pleasing and work with your space – but really what I love to do is to capture something deep… so that when you look at the final piece, you can see part of your story reflected in it. I want to create art that celebrates home.
More than anything though, I am where I am today because of my support system. I have the biggest cheering section in my friends and family and even my kiddos love to visit momma’s studio to “help”. But most importantly, I have my husband to thank. He has been a consistent source of encouragement and has given me the confidence to build something I am really proud of.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
One of the biggest struggles is finding more time to paint!
We have two small kiddos and I feel super lucky to stay home with them… but trying to build a business during nap time can be tricky! Early on in my business, I made the decision that I only wanted to work 12-15 hours a week but keeping to that is hard… it often means saying no to more opportunities and yes to more time as a family.
As a result, I feel like “progress” has been slow. But then I look back at all that I’ve been to do over the past 4 years and am incredibly humbled that I get to do this for my job! I wouldn’t trade the rhythms we’ve built for our family for anything!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am probably most known for doing home illustrations – small watercolor portraits in a semi-architectural yet slightly whimsical style. However, my business has grown significantly around my charcoal cityscape sketches and abstract landscapes.
I play in many mediums sizes and styles but I think the one consistent thread is creating art that means something. So much of what I paint is grounded in-home, in celebrating your story and capturing that in a beautiful way.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
I have found the most success when I stopped comparing myself to others. Especially in the creative industry, it is SO easy to look around and feel like you aren’t good enough. Like you aren’t talented enough.
The moment I stopped trying to be like someone else and just painted what felt authentic to me… that’s when I caught traction. Do the things that light you up and others will be drawn to your passion.
Contact Info:
- Email: katiemuldercreative@gmail.com
- Website: katiemuldercreative.com
- Instagram: www.Instagram.com/katiemuldercreative
Image Credits
Heather Rose Photo
