Today we’d like to introduce you to Karla Hunter.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Karla. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always considered myself an artist. I remember in middle school skipping recess to spend more time in the art room, I could never get enough of it. Throughout high-school and college, art was my main focus and priority. I attended Castleton University, where I received a B.A. in studio art. After I graduated, I moved to Boston. After being here for three years I’ve worked hard to begin growing my name here as an artist, which I will be honest hasn’t always been easy.
I decided to start selling and making art more of a career about a year ago, which has been the best decision of my life. Right after school I spent some time trying to figure out what I wanted to do as a career. I felt as though I couldn’t just be an artist. I wouldn’t make enough doing that. I have always done it for myself, so I began taking commissions and they haven’t stopped since! My art includes landscapes, animals, and a ton of pet portraits.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Everyone has their own path and their own story, and that is what makes it so special. I’ve had my handful of people doubting, as well as self-doubt. Making a career as an artist is incredibly hard. You have to be persistent and self-driven to make a name for yourself. Growing up in Vermont and moving to Boston has been one of the hardest, however most rewarding experiences of them all. I am starting to promote my pet portraits and other artwork online, a majority of my business has come from Vermont. That was where I spent my whole life creating a name for myself as an artist, it’s where I spent my whole life creating relationships and meeting people that would now become customers of mine. Here in Boston I am working on doing the same. I am at the Cohasset Farmers Market every week teaching art projects as well as displaying my art for sale. It has been incredible to meet new people and receive some new customers supporting my art.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with K.Hunter Art – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What I specialize in are pet portraits. Dogs, cats, you name it. My favorite thing about creating pet portraits for customers is knowing how much people are going to bond with something that I created. Some of the pets I paint have passed, some are still living. I know from the pets that have passed, it’s a very emotional piece, and that it means so much. It’s a way to capture their pet and cherish their loving animal forever. It’s very special for me to be able to capture that for them. It is really important from me to chat with the customer about what they are looking for, I want to make sure they are 100% happy with my product.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I don’t have any definite plans in the near future. I’m just going to keep doing what I’m doing! I would love to have my own studio someday where I can just spread out and get messy! I am also working on doing some more pieces for myself, so I have more to offer then just pet portraits. It’s important to me to stay true to myself as an artist as well!
Pricing:
- Graphite on paper 6×8″ $100
- Graphite on paper 9×12″ $125
- Graphite on paper 11×14″ $175
- Acrylic on canvas 9×12″ $250
- Acrylic on canvas 11×14 $275
- Acrylic on canvas 16×20 $300
Contact Info:
- Website: etsy.com/shop/KHunterArt
- Email: karlamhunter7@gmail.com
- Instagram: @khunterart
- Facebook: facebook.com/khunterart
Getting in touch: BostonVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
