Meet Katie Miller | Face Painter, Pet Portrait Artist, Paint Party Host, Muralist

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

Hi Katie, why did you pursue a creative career?
Art has been a passion of mine since I was a little girl. As I grew older and wanted to look for ways to make art a career and promised myself I was going to beat the odds of a starving artist. I believe art is a contagion for creativity, and viewers can let their emotions and depictions run wild. It is therapeutic, not only for me, but for the viewer. It brings me so much joy being able to tap into my creative side, all while making others happy. When I paint a pet portrait for a client who is grieving over a lost friend, even though it is heartbreaking, it helps with grief and gives them something sentimental and beautiful to remember their fur babies by. When I paint a child’s face, they light up with happiness. They get to be whoever they want to be, and they hold a confidence, that many of us lose when we become older. I want to help kids keep that wonder and confidence alive. I believe the impact what I do is so much more than just being a face painter. It has been a good reminder for me, and even their parents to enjoy the little things in life, and that we can be whoever we want to be too.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I like to say I got into what I do professionally by falling into it, by doing what I love and continuing to branch off. Life is so much more exciting when you continue to learn new things and grow. Creativity is full of so many avenues to explore, and I want to learn it all, not only because creating is therapeutic for me, but it impacts others in such a positive way. I’m excited to see where this creative journey takes me.

When I started this journey, I had my art based daycare, I opened my daycare when I went from a stay at home mom, to a full time single mom. I wanted to watch my babies grow up, and I figured combining my passion for kids and art would be the perfect way to make that happen.

During the daycare years, a friend had just gotten a boston terrier, he was a “so ugly he’s cute dog,” so naturally I just had to paint him. After other friends saw the finished piece, they all wanted a pet portrait! So everyday when the daycare was napping, I would paint. Then Covid hit, I shut my daycare down after the majority of parents pulled their kids out for financial reasons. I continued to paint pet portraits, as well as paint houses with my dads company.

During one summer, a friend asked if I could face paint at her daughters birthday, even though I had no idea how. During that party is when I realized I had found another creative avenue where I could hang with kids, and make some art! Word spread over social media, and now face painting is one of my main jobs. I’ve also done a few murals along the way, and have fallen into teaching paint parties. All of these jobs are so incredible, it rarely makes “work” feel like work.

I wouldn’t say it has always been easy, but it makes it so much easier when you do the things you love, because most of the time everything will fall into place. I am excited to see where my business takes me, art makes the world a more beautiful place, especially when times are tough. I want the world to see what following your dreams can do, and that you are never stuck in one place. Even if you don’t consider yourself creative, find a class, pick up a paint brush, try something new, you never know where it will take you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to the mountains and make stops along the way of course! Glenwood Springs would be my top choice to stay. I like to stay in a cute little motel with a condo, visit the vapor caves, walk around town, and take the Gondola up to look at the beautiful caves. Hiking hanging lake is a must. Aside from Glenwood, one of my favorite things to do is head down to Boulder for Hapa happy hour, wander around Pearl Street, visit the galleries, get some icecream and walk to the creek with my kids to play.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to give a shout out to all my friends and family who believed in me before I even believed in me! There are more people than I can count that network my business on social media, and through word of mouth. I want to send love to my friends, who have been there for me during the hard times, when I couldn’t pick up a paint brush, or when I needed help watching my kids so I could go work towards my dreams. I want to also give a shout out to my friends who share the same dreams as me, the ones that I can bounce ideas off of, the ones who pursue their passions alongside me and fuel my motivation. My friends, Leann, Kayla, Ali, Amanda, Kati, Heidi, Natalie, Crystal, and Cheryl are among the many who have been big support in many aspects. I love you all! Thank you keeping me afloat, supporting my business, and giving me all the love and encouragement.

Website: www.wherethewildthingsart.com

Instagram: @wherethewildart

Facebook: www.facebook.com/wherethewildthings