Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Chance.
Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve been drawn to art for as long as I can remember, and over time it gradually evolved from something personal into a full creative career. A creative path never really felt like just an option for me, but the only option. I studied at SCAD, where I focused on observational drawing, photography, and traditional studio practices, though my work has continued to evolve far beyond that foundation. Over the years, I became increasingly interested in combining watercolor, ink, gouache, and mixed media in ways that feel both structured and intuitive.
A big shift in my work came from leaning more fully into the subjects and materials I felt genuinely connected to rather than trying to fit into a specific category. Much of my work centers around Texas botanicals, landscapes, and continuous line drawing.
Austin has played a huge role in shaping both my work and career. The city’s creative community, natural spaces, and collaborative energy have all influenced my process. As my practice developed, teaching also became an important part of my career. I began teaching private painting classes and then watercolor, drawing, and mixed media classes throughout Austin and eventually started teaching at The Contemporary Austin’s Laguna Gloria Art School. I’ll also begin teaching at ACC this fall. Teaching has become one of the most meaningful parts of what I do because it allows me to help people reconnect with creativity in a way that feels approachable and personal. It’s also something that a lot of people are seeking right now. I’ve also found that teaching constantly pushes me to grow as an artist myself.
Today, my career is a combination of studio practice, teaching, exhibitions, collaborations, and community-based projects. Lately I’ve been experimenting more with mixed media, texture, bead weaving, and narrative-based work while also developing a few larger projects I’m excited to share more about in the future.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Building a creative career definitely means wearing a lot of different hats, often all at the same time. Most artists end up being creators, marketers, teachers, photographers, business owners, social media managers, grant writers, and event coordinators simultaneously… usually while answering emails at midnight.
One of the biggest turning points in my life and career happened when I became a mother five years ago. After having my daughter, I left my full-time job and fully committed to my studio practice. In a lot of ways, becoming a full-time mother is what pushed me into becoming a full-time artist. It completely shifted my priorities and made me realize how important it was to build a life centered around creativity, flexibility, and meaningful work.
Some of the biggest growth in my work came from allowing myself to become more experimental, intuitive, and personal in my process.
Like most people working in creative fields, there’s also a constant balancing act between work, personal life, financial stability, and making space for actual creativity. Teaching, collaboration, and being part of Austin’s creative community have helped a lot with that. It’s reminded me that growth rarely happens in a straight line and that most artists are kind of figuring it out as they go.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a mixed media artist and educator primarily working with watercolor, ink, gouache, and oil pastel. A lot of my work explores continuous line drawing, layered textures, and botanical-inspired imagery. I’m especially drawn to Texas landscapes, native plants, and the emotional connection people have to certain places and memories.
Lately, I’ve been experimenting more with stitching, bead weaving, and textured mixed media elements. I love combining really controlled linework with materials that have a bit of a mind of their own.
I’m probably most known for my botanical work and continuous line female figurative pieces, especially work that combines loose watercolor with detailed linework. A lot of people around Austin also know me through teaching, workshops, and community art events, which have become a huge part of both my career and identity as an artist.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
I think the best thing you can do is seek out artists or teachers whose work genuinely resonates with you and spend time learning from them, whether through classes, workshops, studio visits, or simply following their practice. Connections happen naturally when you consistently show up in creative spaces and engage with the community around you.
I’d also encourage people to experience as much art as possible. Go to openings, museums, studio tours, student exhibitions—everything you can. Get your eyeballs in front of art!
Keep making the work you genuinely want to make, again and again. Put yourself out there, stay open to opportunities, and be prepared to face rejection along the way. As someone once told me, it’s basically “rejection therapy”—and learning not to fear it is part of the process.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kdchance.com
- Instagram: @kd.chance
