Meet Kat Reeder

We recently connected with Kat Reeder and have shared our conversation below.

Kat, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

My work ethic comes from being both self-taught and self-driven. I didn’t grow up with access to elite art tools or formal training. What I had was a fierce determination not to be left behind. I’ve always had a competitive streak, but it was never about outshining others…it was about not letting my circumstances limit me.

I’ve pushed myself relentlessly to learn everything I could about art and design, not just to be good, but to be excellent. As an immigrant child, I was handed responsibility early on. I had to navigate life in America quickly. From translating documents to helping my father with his day labor jobs, laziness simply wasn’t an option. I watched my parents take risks, leaving everything they knew behind. Every professional challenge reminds me that as long as I have firm roots in the country and don’t have to leave my home like they did, anything can be possible. Just give it your all and deliver your very best.

My parents modeled what it meant to take pride in your work, even in the most humble jobs. They exceeded expectations not because they had to, but because they were grateful. In the process they taught me to treat every task, big or small, as a chance to prove my worth. That mindset has never left me.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m a Peruvian-American artist, illustrator, and designer based in Honolulu, and everything I create is rooted in storytelling, feminine confidence, and tropical soul. I’m best known for my bold, nostalgic style I call “Tropical Nouveau” (a mix of 70s glam, Latin calendar girls, Art Nouveau, and tiki and island influences)

My work is lush, vibrant, and full of joy. It celebrates the kind of sensual, powerful femininity I grew up admiring in vintage Latin pop culture and the women in my life. Professionally, I wear many hats: I create custom portraits, movie posters, packaging, and branded visuals for companies, collectors, and studios. I’ve worked with brands like Disney and MGM, as well as my own illustrated product lines, including collectible posters, island gifts, and a beauty line rooted in character-based storytelling and tropical vibes.

What excites me most is creating artwork that transports people into a memory, a fantasy, or a feeling. I’m especially interested in bringing back the golden age of illustrated art in film and showing the power of human-made treasures in this AI world.

Right now, I’m excited about these projects:

1. My Jungle Queen Limited Edition Eyeshadow Palette: A beautiful tropical shadow palette featuring an illustrated package that is meant to be worn and displayed as art. I love to create art with dual purpose, is giftable and is a statement piece of it’s own.

2. A series of curated music + art mixtapes on YouTube that connect my illustrations to sound. Music is a big driver of my creativity and want to share the vibes with fellow creatives or lovers of wanderlust.

For me, it’s not just about making beautiful things…it’s about building a world people can escape into. A world where vintage glamour meets island magic and every piece tells a story.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

For me, the three most impactful traits have been tenacity, self-initiative, and a healthy sense of competitiveness. I’m mostly self-taught, so I had to push myself hard and stay hungry. Not just to improve, but to keep up with people who had more access and formal training. I never wanted to be left behind. I’ve always aimed for excellence, not just adequacy.

In terms of knowledge, learning how to connect with people (especially as someone who was painfully shy growing up) was life-changing. I had to overcome that fear early on, especially when helping my family navigate life in America. That meant translating, asking questions, and advocating for them even when I was scared. That experience gave me the most powerful skill I use to this day: the courage to walk up to someone I admire and ask how they got to where they are.

My advice? First and foremost, develop an outgoing persona. You don’t have to be the loudest in the room, but you do have to communicate confidence, warmth, and comfort in your own skin. People connect with energy before they connect with your work. Speak with clarity and curiosity, not arrogance. And finally…stay up through the night if you have to, teaching yourself that one skill that will make you impossible to ignore in the morning!

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

Yes, I’m always open to collaborating! Especially with creators in the film and music industries who, like me, are passionate about bringing back the golden age of illustration. I’m looking for people who believe in the power of hand-crafted visuals and storytelling, even as the world leans more into AI.

I want to work with visionaries who see the value in blending disciplines like film, music, fashion and culture. Those who understand how illustration can serve as the connective thread. The kind of visuals we create together should be more than just decoration. They should be cultural markers. Art that sticks in people’s memories and hearts, the way vintage posters and packaging do with my soul.

If you’re someone who feels the same, I’d love to connect. You can reach me through my website or Instagram, where I share new work and projects regularly. I’d love to get to know you.

Contact Info:

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Highlighter Series
Are you walking a path—or wandering?

The answer to whether you are walking or wandering often changes from season to season

Highlighter Series
What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?

With so many high-achievers in our community it was super interesting to learn about the

Highlighter Series
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?

We asked some of the wisest people we know what they would tell their younger