Katerina Koukiotis
Enchanted Visions Artist, Katerina Koukiotis |
Who is, “Katerina Koukiotis”?
I’m a traditional fantasy /portrait artist , I’m Greek but I’m based and lived most of my life
in beautiful New York Area. I have always been a creative person since childhood and once I decided to pursue my art I knew this is what i was meant to do.
I work in different mediums pencil graphite, charcoal,color pencil,pastel watercolor and acrylic. I would love to do some oils too and even try digital art some point even though I have a hard time with it. I like giving my artworks a soft dreamy look and illustrate many different themes with portrait and fantasy being main ones, in recent years I even tried less realistic style in anime and manga and found a style I really enjoy.
How did you hear about Enchanted Visions and why did you want to become a member artist?
I heard and was invited by Coriander many years ago. I wanted to be part of it because up until then I haven’t heard of anything like this before. I liked the idea of having a monthly theme to illustrate that brought together many artists. A lot time artists get artist block and the monthly theme is a great way of getting your art juices flowing again. Also it was invented by Amy Brown and Jessica Galbreth, two fantasy artists I highly respect. I feel very lucky to be part of it.Many thanks to Coriander for opening up EV to many artists .
Each month, Enchanted Visions artists are challenged with creating a piece of art for that month’s theme. Please share some of the art you have created for Enchanted Visions with us. For each piece of art, please describe how it interprets that month’s theme, any story behind the art, and the theme’s meaning to you.
Forgotten Summer by Enchanted Visions artist, Katerina Koukiotis |
I have done many pieces for EV some more technically hard than others, but a few stand out to me for personal reasons one of them is “Forgotten Summer”. I remember drawing this and trying to capture the feeling of a hallucination. The whole idea was inspired by a favorite movie/book scene out of Twilight when Bella was underwater, Edward was a hallucination in Bellas mind,.. I kinda had this in mind when i did this drawing, but i wanted to illustrate something more intimate and with a mermaid theme ofcourse 😉 Pastels & Pencils on 5×7 Canson Mi Tientes, 2010.
Winter Lullaby by Enchanted Visions artist, Katerina Koukiotis |
“Winter Lullaby”
Color Pencil , 8 x 10 on Acid free Drawing Paper , 2012
Fantasy Elven Painting , this drawing was completed after going through an awful storm that year ( storm sandy) and it took me weeks to be able to get back in my art, artwise i was very pleased with this drawing really wanted the lullaby to come across, taking away all the bad stuff . I wanted the lullaby to be heard 🙂
Crimson Wings by Enchanted Visions artist, Katerina Koukiotis |
“Crimson Wings”
Completed on 4 x 6 Arches Hotpress Watercolor paper , 2010. Watercolor/Gouache
For this theme I decided on one of my favorite animals to paint draw are cats/kitties and couldn’t resist painting “Titania” this white fluffy kitty in Christmas holiday theme she also has an EV connection “Titania” belongs to Coriander Shea 😉
EV has a monthly auction of the work created. Do you sell your work there?
Yes i do Originals and prints, on my website, artfire.com store, You can also find monthly themes for sale at the monthly fantasy art auctions hosted by Monika Holloway
Are there challenges knowing you are one of many artists creating art for the same EV theme? Does this knowledge hinder you or give you momentum when creating for the monthly theme?
Its inspiring to me. All artists who participate are talented artists and good friends some of them I have known them for many years. Its exciting to see so many artists from different backgrounds and styles illustrate the same theme and to see how each of us interpret the theme .
Are you a story teller in your painting, using your imagination to create fiction with your art, or is your art a way to express and portray the inner you?
A little bit of both, I always say I like for the viewer to make up his own stories when they view my art, and I have been told that many times by fans of my art, but yes Ii always tell a story and I think that’s what art is all about.
Describe (and provide a photograph if you like) of your studio/work space. What would you change about it, if anything, for it to become your dream work space?
Enchanted Visions artist, Katerina Koukiotis’ studio |
I’m very content and happy with my studio i have been very lucky for the past 5 years to have my own work space. I’m a very organized person and like everything to be in order I try and keep my studio the same way 🙂 Work Space I think will always be an issue for artists. I don’t think there is enough space ever to keep hold all the art materials..lol.. In the picture I provided it’s just the area I work in. When I’m working on a painting or drawing it doesn’t look as neat .lol. but the entire studio is bigger and having a closet to hold all my art stuff helps so much.
“Paint” a picture of yourself for us using 10 colorful words to describe you, the total picture.
I rather other people describe me im always to shy to list things about myself and I dont like talking about myself a lot ..lol i have been told some of these words about me so here we go..
Caring
Friendly
Kind
Sweet
Trustworthy
Funny
Dedicated
Sensitive
Talented
Thoughtful
If you would like to see more of Katerina’s art, you can find her at the following links:
Katerina's art is exceptional ! I have commissioned her and also purchased many of her prints.
Love your interview Kat <3 I remember very well that winter 2012 when you were snowed in and we've lost all contact with you for weeks – it was scary. Oh, and I'm really envious of your studio <3
thank you so much for the lovely comments Monika xoxo and Anonymous xoxo
Excellent, Katerina! I loved reading all you had to say! 🙂
-Alexandra Rena
Thank you Alexandra so much xoxo
What a lovely interview! ♡