Rising Stars: Meet Kat Lam

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Lam.

Hi Kat, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Honestly, I have my parents to thank for embracing my creative spirit from a very early age. They sent me to art camp and piano camp in lieu of traditional summer camps—they held space for me to play in ways that most immigrant parents would’ve scolded their children for.

I will be forever grateful for that foundation because it allowed the artist in me to grow and I was able to find a career that embraced creativity as an adult. I went to school for art direction and made my way up to be that Creative Director little Kat Lam always dreamed of becoming. Ironically, hitting that point in my career ignited a reassessment of what made me happy and I came to the realization that a plot twist was overdue.

I painted my first mural 7 years ago and it filled my heart in a way that I didn’t even know was possible. After that, I slowly started acquiring so many mural gigs that I could no longer sustain a full-time job as a Creative Director and an artist. I had to choose, so I jumped ship and chose a full heart over a full wallet with zero regrets.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ll fully acknowledge that the story I just shared is a bit oversimplified, so don’t be fooled—it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows. There were definitely some dives and highs. Quitting a very structured career humbled me in numerous ways. I took for granted that corporate structure allows for creatives to focus on what they do best—be creative. Once you open your own business, you have no one to rely on but yourself.

I quickly discovered ALL the paperwork and complicated logistics involved with the initial bid and installation process of painting murals. It was unexpected and proved to be very challenging at times. I’m proud of myself for not giving up on the hustle and am thankful I’m a quick learner. I’m also pretty organized by nature, so the hurdles weren’t as high as they could’ve been. The biggest hiccups that happened along the way have turned out to be incredible stories that have taught me to pay very close attention to contracts and to always remember where I put that paint tray so I don’t accidentally knock something off a ladder resulting in a head full of paint-colored hair.

But wait! There’s more—once I thought I had figured everything out, Covid hit and rocked everyone’s world in various capacities. Unfortunately for me and other muralists, our financial stability relies on businesses that thrive off of environments where people are sharing air (co-working spaces, bars, restaurants, etc) and I couldn’t help but be frightened about the future. I thought I would never paint a wall again and moved my practice to smaller media while I tried to figure out what was next—I even painted a few mini murals on miniature buildings as a coping mechanism.

The pandemic ignited another reassessment of my life, ironically turning the tables on me and getting me to think about the importance of my wallet over my heart again. Thankfully, I’ve found a wonderful balance now. I’m still an artist that paints her heart out when the walls call, but I also work as a Creative Director at an incredible art space. I’m grateful for how my life’s played out so far and am thankful for all the people that refused to give up on me during a time when I was about to give up on myself.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m an artist that finds joy in the process of creating, no matter what the project is. My specialty is in murals—people come to me with blank, beautiful spaces that need a little life breathed into them and I am lucky enough to leave my mark on those places.

I think what may set me apart from other muralists is that I find the most joy in projects that incorporate more than just a wall. The best spaces have my murals covering walls, ceilings, floors, and sometimes even some of the furniture within the space. Complete immersion is way more inviting than a flat 2D space, ya know?

What do you think about luck?
I’m not a fan of tossing everything up to luck. Sure, timing and circumstance come into play but I think setting yourself up for success plays an integral role. But most importantly, your approach to any challenge can make or break you. I keep myself honest, which isn’t always easy.

Everything is a work in progress and I’m still learning the nuances of the dance between blind ambition and paralyzing negativity. The importance of realistic expectations is crucial, so I always try to make the best of what’s in front of me and go from there.

Contact Info:

• Website: lamkat.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lamkat/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lamkat/

Image Credits
Kat Lam and Peter Kowalchuk