My name is Kate and I’m an artist based in beautiful County Kerry, Ireland. I was studying graphic design, advertising and fine arts, but that was ages ago. After finishing my studies, I worked as a graphic and web designer, where I did mostly digital work. A few years ago, I started to paint again. It was a kind of stress relief therapy for me.

About 2 years ago, I decided to try to make my art living and here I am now. It’s not easy as it seems to be, especially if you must mind house, 3 kids and be a public relation, production, sale and “god-only-knows-what-else” manager.

My biggest love now is watercolor, but sometimes I need a change so I go for oils or painting clothes or mugs or whatever.

I love to paint birds and wild animals, but recently I discovered amazing world of… fruits and really normal everyday things which go perfectly as a watercolor painting objects.

Usually I paint full size, “proper” paintings. But with the beginning of this year I’ve decided to make something different and more challenging. I’ve decided to go for everyday doodles in the sketchbook. I started very simple, 10mins a day for a sketch, but with time, believe me or not, I got addicted.

I’m already on my 4th sketchbook this year and I can’t stop thinking about it and painting next picture. And it’s not like a quick “whatever” doodle, it must be something, some story hidden in the picture.

Where the ideas for everyday paintings coming from? – you ask. That depends on a day I’ll answer. Sometimes, I have million of ideas in my head. I can get inspiration from anything that’s around me. That’s really amazing and I plan for a few days in advance. It’s a great feeling when you have something to wait for, some new idea which needs to be painted.

But some other days nothing wants to come out. Just struggle and frustration. The more I wonder what to paint the less these ideas suit me. What to do then? Do something different, something that will help you to clear your mind, what you never did but always wanted to try or just simply take a break and do nothing.

And with time, your struggle will pass and new energy will come. Honestly that’s a never ending story, smaller or bigger ups and downs, in every artist’s life. If none of my ways work for you, try to find your own way to overcome it.

What supplies do I use?

I started with Royal Talens Van Gogh watercolors. They’re pretty great and not so expensive. Now I’m using Winsor & Newton Artist watercolors and Golden’s QoR Watercolors, both of them are amazing, but still sometimes I’m coming back to Royal Talens.

Brushes? I went through many of brands: Kolibri, Da Vinci, Winsor & Newton, Cotman, Chinese traditional brushes and many of kinds: synthetic, natural, mixed. I love them all, but now I stick to Winsor & Newton series 7 sable brushes and my beloved Chinese traditional brushes.

Paper? Again, many brands I’ve tried and some I like and some don’t. My most favorite so far is Fabriano, any kind. And by “any” I mean really any possible kind of Fabriano paper you can find. All of them are amazing.

People tell me “I wish my paintings would be so good as yours, but I can’t do it.” I always say: “Everyone can paint or draw. All is in your head and your attitude. If you want to do something just do it. I wouldn’t be here where I am without years of practice and hard work. So get a piece of paper, pencil or brush and draw or paint, whatever, but do it, 10-30 minutes every day. And in no time, you’ll see how much you’ve improved.”

Kate Plum

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