Today we’d like to introduce you to Natasha Rubinetti-Kul.
Hi Natasha, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have created art my entire life. I wanted it to be my career but did not feel that anything other than commercial arts would really take off so I studied filmmaking and animation in college. If I had known the difference between fine art and commercial art at the time, I personally would have gone to a different college. I did not want to be a freelance artist, yet look at where I ended up!
I did a lot of different jobs for a while and landed on selling Jewelry for Shane Co for a couple of years. I stopped doing art during Covid because I just couldn’t anymore.
In December of 2021 a situation came up where my car needed very expensive repairs and it really wasn’t worth much money. A few friends came together to help fix it and I painted their cats as a thank you. I then painted my own pets and after 6 months of many inquiries for commissions, I decided to quit my job to focus on just painting pets!
In November 2022 I found out about live wedding painting from TikTok. I loved the idea! I love talking to people, art, and weddings! What could be better? So I started to paint a few friends weddings from photos, figured out I could paint in the timeframe I needed, and opened my books for weddings.
My first wedding that I painted for was in May of 2023. Someone from high school was getting married and loved the idea that I was getting into this. I told her I would paint it for free and she could purchase it afterwards if she wanted, but there was no pressure. They loved it. She walked down the aisle to the Jurassic Park theme song and I knew then and there that I wanted to start adding little Easter Eggs into my portraits when I could. I put in a little Raptor on the side and they were ecstatic!
That was just the beginning. I began to meet others in the industry, focus on social media, and just really try to market myself. I began to find what worked for me specifically as a wedding painter. I started to offer guest portraits because I thought it would be a nice addition and option for couple’s to choose from. It also helped me make enough to continue to develop my wedding painting style, which is what I truly wanted to focus on!
2024 was my first full year of live wedding painting. I set a goal of 20 weddings and ended the year with 26. The following year, I aimed for 30, and surpassed that as well. Along the way, I also learned where my personal capacity and creative limits are, which i have found has been just as important as hitting those milestones.
Now, having reached many of my initial goals, my focus has shifted toward continued growth in my craft. I regularly revisit color theory, recently completed an oil painting portrait course, and am always looking for ways to evolve my technique. While I discovered that I love both oils and acrylics for different reasons, I’ve been able to integrate new approaches into my current work.
I truly believe in the idea that if you’re not learning, you’re dying, and that mindset continues to shape both my art and my business every day.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Absolutely not! I don’t think a “smooth road” would have prepared me for this in the same way.
One of my biggest challenges was believing this could be a real, sustainable career. I spent a long time thinking art had to fit into a traditional or “practical” box, so choosing to pursue it came with a lot of fear. Walking away from a stable job to paint pets full-time was a huge leap, and there was definitely a period where I was figuring things out as I went, both creatively and financially.
As my business grew, the challenges shifted. I had to learn how to market myself, price my work appropriately, and navigate the wedding industry. Live wedding painting in particular comes with its own pressures! Not only do you have to be good at painting, but you have to paint quickly, and perform all at the same time. There’s not a lot of room for error, so building confidence took a bit of practice.
I’ve also had to learn where my limits are. It’s easy to say yes to everything, especially when you’re growing quickly, but burnout is very real in a creative business. Figuring out how many weddings I can realistically take on while still delivering my best work has been an important part of the process.
Every challenge has shaped how I run my business and approach my art. It hasn’t been a smooth road, but it was meaningful and I’ve grown because of it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Kul and Krafty?
My business is centered around creating personalized art experiences through live wedding painting, guest portraits, and custom commissions! I want to turn meaningful moments into physical art that people can keep forever.
What I specialize in, especially with my live wedding paintings, is capturing not just what a moment looked like, but what it felt like. I’m known for creating pieces that are vibrant, expressive, and a little unexpected. I love working with couples who want something that reflects their personality, not just a traditional scene.
One thing that really sets me apart is the way I incorporate subtle (and sometimes not as subtle) “Easter eggs” into my paintings. These can be anything from a nod to a couple’s shared interests to hidden details that tell more of their story. It adds an extra layer of intention and makes each piece feel even more personal and one-of-a-kind.
I also offer live guest portraits at weddings, which gives guests something interactive and memorable to take home. It adds to the overall experience of the event while still keeping the focus on art and connection.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of building something that feels very me! I want to be seen as creative, a little alternative, and approachable. I’ve been intentional about attracting clients who want something different, who value art, and who trust me to bring their vision to life in a unique way. I think that authenticity is what people connect with most. I have had so many couples that have told me that they booked me because (in addition to my art) they love my posts about my dogs and that I just seem like a fun person in general!
At the end of the day, I want my work to feel personal, thoughtful, and completely one-of-a-kind. Each piece is created around the idea that no two stories are the same, so the artwork shouldn’t be either.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is creating work that actually means something to me and to the people receiving it. That only happens when it’s authentic. I care a lot about making sure every piece reflects that, and that I’m giving my full effort and attention to it. From weddings, family portraits, or even pet portraits! People are trusting me with really important moments, and I don’t take that lightly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kulandkrafty.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kulandkrafty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kulandkrafty
