Meet Katina Inger | Artist

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

Hi Katina, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Authenticity is the foundation of my brand and the most important factor behind its success. Everything I create stems from an aligned place where my heart, mind and soul are in harmony. When I approach my art and business with this vision, it allows me to express who I am and share my voice with the world. As Rick Rubin said, “The goal of art isn’t to attain perfection. The goal is to share who we are and how we see the world.”

My beliefs and life experiences resonate with my audience because it’s real. People can feel when something is created from a place of truth, and that builds trust. By staying true to myself and my purpose—to inspire others to create authentic lives and express connection to their own divinity—I’ve built a brand that not only stands out but also builds meaningful connections.

My cumulative life experience also gives me the courage to push boundaries and be unapologetic about my vision, knowing it will attract the people who truly resonate with my work. It’s not just about creating art; it’s about living and sharing a way of being that inspires others to embrace their own truth. For me, that’s where real success begins.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I began painting in my early 20s while living in an artist warehouse space in Boston. It was a vibrant, creative environment that nurtured my passion for art. Over time, I became drawn to ceramics and spent several years at the Harvard Ceramic Studio in Cambridge, MA. My focus was on hand-building abstract sculptural pieces, emphasizing texture and process rather than conventional beauty. Around that time, I also started learning glassblowing at MIT. The process was hot, shiny, and mesmerizing. I loved its immediacy and the sense of community it fostered. Glassblowing taught me a valuable lesson about letting go, as every step carried the risk of the piece shattering. I eventually taught beginner classes at MIT until I was seven months pregnant with my first child.

After my daughter was born, we faced significant challenges. When she was three, we were both diagnosed with Lyme disease. I had unknowingly developed Lyme, which she contracted in utero. The diagnosis brought clarity and relief, especially under the care of a renowned Holistic Lyme Doctor. Just a week later, I discovered I was carrying my second child, who was also born with Lyme Disease.

The years that followed were consumed with healing—through treatment, detox, and holistic modalities—and rebuilding our lives. This journey deeply changed me. It wasn’t until 2019 that I returned to painting. Starting with watercolors, I soon embraced acrylics for the first time, and it felt like coming home. Painting became both a creative outlet and a profound part of my healing. Lyme had reshaped me, instilling a focus on authenticity, connection, and wholeness.

My art evolved to reflect these lessons, integrating themes like frequency, vibration, color therapy, ritual, seasonal cycles, tarot, and astrology. In 2023, another significant shift occurred: I left the East Coast with my two children, embarking on a 4.5-month journey across the U.S. We traveled from Boston all the way down the East Coast, across the Southern U.S. to Austin, TX, then up through New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, before reaching the Pacific Northwest. As winter approached, we made our way down to California, eventually landing in San Diego.

This transformative journey profoundly influenced my work, introducing even more earthy elements. My latest pieces, shaped by these experiences, are on display at Gateway Gallery in Ocotillo, CA, with a closing reception on January 11th at 2 p.m.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
As someone new to the area, I’m constantly discovering amazing places. I love grounding myself at Moonlight Beach, soaking up the rays, vitamin D and the magnesium-rich Pacific Ocean. The meditation gardens at the Self Realization Fellowship are sublime, always an instant connection to the divine. Recently, I’ve been exploring Leucadia and adore its quaint, laid-back vibe. It’s great to drive along the 101 and Lofty Coffee is a must for great organic coffee. A little further down the 101, City Taco in Encinitas, is favorite spot to grab some Tacos to go and watch the sun set. On Monday nights, I head to downtown San Diego for sound healing at Ohmazing Art of Healing, often stopping at Blick Art Supplies along the way. Love hiking along the Coast, classes at Soul of Yoga, and enjoying the amazing San Diego weather. Beyond the city, I love the mountain hikes, Desert Blooms and soaking in the natural hot spring pools at Jacumba Hot Springs Hotel, not far from Gateway Gallery, where I currently have work on display. And of course, when I’m not out exploring, you’ll find me with my children or in my studio!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Rick Rubin’s The Creative Act: A Way of Being is a huge inspiration for me. It’s more than a book—it’s a guide to living creatively and authentically. Rubin’s philosophy of aligning with your inner truth, allowing ideas to emerge naturally, and embracing imperfection resonates with one of my core brand pillars – Authenticity. His insights remind me to trust the process, live intentionally, and honor the flow of creativity as a way of being.

In addition to Rubin’s wisdom, my parents have been top influences in shaping my artistic path. Both were Woodstock-going hippies who believe that art and creativity are a way of life. Early on they had a candle making business in Maine. My father, a painter and potter, showed me the beauty of working with your hands and seeing the world through the lens of an artist. My mother’s artistry was multifaceted—she taught me to sew my own clothes and make dolls, she tended our organic garden and taught me to harvest and cook. She instilled the Earthly ways of Paganism and my love for the sun, moon and stars. Their example imprinted in me the belief that artistry isn’t confined to one medium; it’s a way of life.

Together, these influences have taught me that creativity is a sacred practice, rooted in authenticity and connection. They inspire me to not only create but to live in a way that reflects my deepest truths and to help others do the same.

Website: https://katinaingerart.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kikiskolors/

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