We’re looking forward to introducing you to Katy Horan. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Katy, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What is a normal day like for you right now?
It is summer vacation, so my 10 year old is out of school. During the school year, I have a more predictable schedule, but these days are a combination of short sessions in the studio and family time. IT is a nice break from having to be so structured during the rest of the year.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Katy Horan. I am originally from Houston, Tx, but now live and work in Austin, Tx via LA, Boston, Providence, RI, and Brooklyn. I am an interdisciplinary artist: I make paintings, drawings, sculptures, and video work for exhibition. I am also a professional illustrator. I have illustrated a few books, including Literary Witches: A Celebration of Magical Women Writers and Ask Baba Yaga: Poetic Remedies for Troubled Times. I also recently became an author/Illustrator with my new book Murder Ballads: Illustrated Lyrics & Lore.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
My career ambitions and deep-seated feeling of never being good enough (I have a personal history of trauma, like pretty much everyone else) drove my work for about 20 years. This was sustainable for a while, until I had my child and needed to create a more grounded/healthy process. A drive fueled by the need to prove one’s worth can take you some distance because (at least for me) it leads you to improve your skills and produce a lot continually, but the downside of this is that it will eventually burn you out. Finishing my most recent book was my wake-up call. I had been grinding for so long, focusing on the final product and hopes for the type of response each project received, that I lost touch with the experience of just making. It made me feel like the clock was constantly ticking, leaving no room for settling into a creative headspace, which is where all the good stuff comes from anyway. The burnout I fell into was so intense (I’m only just now recovering) that I believe it burned out those toxic driving factors. Now I am finding my way back to the simple joys of just drawing and organically uncovering new ideas.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her that the work that comes to her intuitively, and that feels the best to make, is wonderful, and of value. I would tell her that comparing yourself to others is pointless. I would tell her that other people’s opinions of her are not fact. They, in fact, do not matter. Finally I would warn her that there is a long road to healing ahead, but the other side is more magical than she could imagine.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Oh yes. I believe in radical self-acceptance. I practice this by making Instagram reels of me doing things that feel vulnerable but authentic, such as dancing in my studio or lip-syncing to favorite songs. I am a strange person as well, and I actively work to allow that strangeness free rein in the world. At this point, it’s the only way for me to live. Self-doubt and judgment are simply too toxic for me to carry anymore.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I don’t have any specific needs for what my story will be. I try to be honest and empathetic, so I just hope not to cause any harm. I rather love the thought that the stories and characters in my work will remain. My work speaks for me in ways I never could with words, so in a sense, my work tells the most honest story of my life.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @goodyhoran
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