October’s Artist stood out to Nonahood News in her nomination because of how spirited she was about Lake Nona and all of the creativity that our home has to offer in several different avenues. Meet Kathy Bolanos – a fashion illustrator, upcoming designer, and a proud member of the fashion scene brewing here in Lake Nona. Here’s a glimpse into her story.
Nonahood News: What drove you to become an artist?
Kathy Bolanos: Since I was little, I always loved to draw. Throughout my creative journey, I started to notice I was good at it and decided to pursue it when I graduated design school.
NHN: When did you realize your passion for fashion? How did your journey with art coincide with your love of fashion?
KB: My love for fashion started when I was in middle school, loved going shopping and putting outfits together. I grew up in the entertainment industry as a professional dancer, and the details of the costumes always caught my eye. When I went to school for fashion and learned about illustration, that is when I realized that I could combine both. I had a professor who was a fashion illustrator and worked with many well-known brands, and that inspired me to venture more into that market.
NHN: How often do you find yourself creating art and designs?
KB: I do it often! Weekly, I try to illustrate looks that I find online, and I also do design jobs for clients.
NHN: How long did it take you to discover yourself as a fashion illustrator?
KB: When I graduated from fashion school, about a year after that I started to play around illustrating looks from the runway and sharing them on social media. People started to give me great compliments, and I found that there was a market and decided to pursue it.
NHN: Which of your projects would you consider to be your favorites? (Pick a top three.)
KB: My top two favorite projects I designed were for two music album covers for friends that are music producers. They gave me the opportunity to be inspired by their music, and seeing my work on Spotify was definitely a huge success. My third one would be a collaboration with a tech company from Sweden; I had the pleasure to create a look based on a cellphone case.
NHN: Which of your projects were the most time-consuming/challenging and why?
KB: I want to say the first album cover I created was [very] time-consuming. I had to create several drafts, get approval from the music producer, then making the final sketch, coloring it, and rendering it using Adobe Illustrator, a program that takes designs to another level.
NHN: What are some of your dream projects?
KB: Some of my dream projects would be working with luxury brands either illustrating some of their products or doing a collaboration. I also would love to be invited to New York Fashion Week to illustrate some of the runway shows.
NHN: What serves as your inspiration on a day-to-day basis?
KB: What inspires me [on a] day-to-day basis is the music I listen to, movies I watch, the places I get to travel to, images I find online, and conversations I have with my family and close friends.
NHN: Future goals/plans? How will you continue to showcase the fashion scene in Lake Nona?
KB: One of my future goals is to create my own clothing and accessories brand. I will continue to showcase my passion for fashion in the Lake Nona scene by continuing to share more of my fashion illustrations on my blog, social media channels, and also sharing tips and insights about both worlds: art and fashion!
To keep following Kathy Bolanos and her journey, visit her website: http://kreadivmisfitlife.com/.
NOMINATE AN ARTIST
We are looking for interesting artists who live in the Nonahood to be featured. If you or someone you know should be nominated to be a Nonahood News Featured Artist, send your nomination to nonahood.to/artist.
