With over 30 years of experience as a professional artist and illustrator, [Katrina Avotina](https://www.cohart.com/katrinaavotina) specializes in acrylic paintings that bring color, line, and story to life. Known for conveying a unique vision of the world through vibrant colors and intricate plots, her pieces often reflect stories collected from travels around the globe. Through every painting, Katrina aims to spread beauty and happiness, inviting viewers to find joy in the vivid worlds depicted on the canvas.

Katrina Avotina

##### What emotions do you hope to evoke in viewers through your art?

I believe my paintings have the power to uplift people's moods in any space, and I hope that when people look at my paintings, they feel that positivity and joy radiating from the canvas. I love creating stories that people can interpret in their own way, but in the end, it's always about love and warmth. 

##### What types of materials do you use and what color palette are you most drawn to?

Bright, vibrant colors! I work with a lot of bright greens, pinks, blues…I’m drawn to working with colors that are vivid and bold, that have something to say. I primarily work with acrylics, because they dry quickly and have a naturally vibrant color. 

##### What role does humor (or another emotion) play in your artwork, if any?

Humor plays a significant role in my art. I love giving my paintings quirky titles, like '_Get Lost!_' or '_#thelocals_,' which adds a playful layer to the visuals. My series, The Famous World Travelling Giraffe Josephine, features whimsical scenes like cats and mice getting along or even a cat proposing to a mouse! It’s fun and lighthearted, and I think adding humor helps people connect even more with the stories in my paintings.

##### How do you handle moments of doubt or insecurity about your work?

I think all artists face moments of doubt, especially when trying to stand out in such a competitive world. My journey hasn't been easy, because it's taken countless hours of hard work and dedication to stand out in the art world. For me, it helps to remind myself why I started — because painting brings me joy. Whenever I feel unsure, I focus on that joy and try to push the negativity aside. 

##### What is one thing you love about the art world?

One of the things I love most about the art world is its ability to endure and inspire, no matter what challenges we face. As artists, we have a powerful tool—our imaginations. Whether we're creating joyful or somber stories, art has the unique ability to resonate with people across different times and places. It’s that sense of optimism and creativity that allows art to bring happiness, even in difficult moments. As long as we keep sharing our narratives with the world, I believe good art will always find a way to thrive.

#### How do you decide when a piece is finished? What signals that to you?

I’m a tough critic of my own work, and I rely on some good old-school principles to judge when a painting is done. It really depends on what I wanted to achieve with that particular piece—sometimes, less is more, while other times, a bit more detail is needed. With many years of experience behind me, I can usually sense when a piece is complete. I also remember the lessons from my art teachers at the Academy, and I take those into consideration when deciding if a piece is truly finished.

##### How do you stay connected to your artistic community, and why is that important to you?

I don’t interact as much with other artists as I used to. During my studies, it was incredibly important to me—we’d share experiences, organize exhibitions, and host gatherings and parties. But now, life has taken us in different directions; we have families, live in different parts of the world, and our priorities have changed. I still keep in touch with some of them through Facebook and Instagram, but our interactions are more about day-to-day updates and complimenting each other’s work rather than the deep exchanges we had in the past.

##### What’s the most unconventional material or technique you’ve experimented with in your art?

I’m not particularly drawn to new techniques; I tend to stick with more traditional, old-school methods. I mainly paint with brushes, though occasionally, I might use a sponge, roller, or experiment with drip techniques. Recently, I’ve started incorporating acrylic markers into my work, but only high-quality ones—never the cheap kind. For me, using good-quality art materials is essential, and I believe that’s what makes a difference in the final result.


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Katrina Avotina’s vibrant, humorous paintings uplift moods with love and warmth, telling playful stories through bold colors and quirky titles.

Spotlight: Katrina Avotina—Celebrating Life’s Colorful Stories with Heart

#influencers, Katrina Avotina

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