How did you become an entrepreneur?
I originally thought I would be a dancer. This of course worried my parents. I had a severe problem with my back at age 15 that effectively ended any dreams of dancing professionally. I remember the day I told my parents "Don't worry Mom and Dad. I've decided not to pursue a career in dance." (their faces lit up with anticipation) "I've decided to be an Artist!" (both inhaled deeply, faces downcast) "What?" I said. My mother had always encouraged my creative pastimes and supplied me with any art materials that I wanted. (oops) Mom and Dad argued valiantly to dissuade me but I never looked back. I was sixteen. I sold my first painting at nineteen and began my first commercial mural (8' x 40') for a large fitness center that same year.
What is the nature of your business? What kind of product/service to you provide?
I began by specializing in large scale public murals, but I have always had commercial and residential clients as well. I have done several mural projects with inner city school students. I also continue to paint on canvas, show in galleries and take commissions. In the last five years one of my styles, the "Scribble" merged with my love of cycling and became "Bike Scribbles". I expanded the idea, followed the muse down the bike path as it were, and the images are finding their way onto shirts, wine labels, jewelry, pint glasses and such. I have also had the pleasure of designing custom Bike Scribbles for non-profit organizations such as Until There's a Cure Velo and World AIDS Day Rides.
Why do you love what you do?
If you are lucky enough to discover your purpose for being on the planet you tend to stick with it. I am an artist in the same way that I am female and have green eyes. It is how I express all the things I can't say. Usually the expression is about joy. When someone sees one of my pieces and lights up or just stares and stares at it trying to figure it out - that's the shooting star in my summer night sky. If all my financial needs were magically met I would simply run around the world painting murals in communities that needed a little more color and painting canvases to benefit non-profit organizations.
How long have you been in business for yourself?
Twenty-seven years.
How do you attract clients?
It tends to be by word of mouth. I have been fortunate that a lot of the exterior projects have attracted generous media attention. I have a blog, a website and I'm on Twitter. I'm slowly working on a Facebook page. I attend many cycling events and write about them on the blog, which is how the cycling community has come to know my work.
Share any information that helps to further describe your business.
Articles about Kathleen King's work have appeared in :
Bon Appetit Magazine
San Diego Magazine
Decor and Style Magazine
The Los Angeles Times
San Diego Union Tribune
Santa Barbara News Press
San Luis Obispo Tribune
Locally, the artist has shown at Caruso Woods Gallery.
Clients include:
Ty Warner
Chris Carmichael
Judith & Walter Munk
Marianne Harmon
C. Samuel Marasco III
Peter Ferrantelli
Vernon & MaryTaylor
Dr. Simon Ritchken
Contact info
Kathleen King
310.663.2561
BikeScribble@gmail.com
www.surfeitofpassion.com
Twitter: @bikechik
Blog: http://surfeitofpassion.blogspot.com
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