Who is Kirsten Katz?

At KOO we love collaborating with Australian designers, and one of our favourites is Sydney-based artist Kirsten Katz. Kirsten is known for her brightly-coloured artwork featuring Australian botanicals and birds. Her designs are featured on many KOO products such as coverlets, quilts and pillowcases. We were lucky enough to have an in-depth chat with Kirsten about her creative life, journey and inspirations - here's what we were able to glean from our talk!

Kirsten grew up surrounded by creatives on all sides. The family on her mother's side were skilled at dressmaking, embroidery, crotchet and knitting, and her father's side was full of different artists - her grandmother was a ballerina, her grandfather a comedian and her aunty an artist.

Kirsten was always self-employed, teaching both ballet and aerobics and working with her husband in their jewellery business. Living in Sydney near Bondi beach (and not too far from her hometown of Newcastle), Kirsten has always been surrounded by some of the best flora, fauna and natural scenery Australia has to offer!

After her daughter recommended a course in Textile Design and Fabric Printing, Kirsten spent a full year studying hard at The Fashion Design Studio in Sydney. "It was very stressful at my age," Kirsten laughed, "doing assignments and that sort of stuff." Kirsten was able to learn a great deal about business, marketing and other artistic skills, as well as discovering her passion for surface pattern design.

Get To Know Kirsten's Design Journey

Kirsten has always been determined to create authentic art that appeals to her, not what's trending or what will appeal to the masses. She was determined to stay true to herself and create art that she enjoys creating. The buyers and clients were a bonus! One of her favourite collections, the Flowers of Oz, showcases some of Australia's most iconic and stunning botanicals in gorgeous colours, and comes out of Kirsten's desire to make something uniquely Australian IN Australia.

Now that she has run her business successfully for a few years, Kirsten has learned a lot about herself, including how she works best, her inspirations and how she sees herself.

She doesn't describe herself as a businesswoman, instead choosing to highlight her creative side. "Now, I like to call myself an 'Australian artist and designer. Because then people can understand that's what I do."

Kirsten finds herself inspired not only by the nature she surrounds herself with, but by a variety of artists as well. Margaret Preston, Sidney Nolan, Picasso and the Marimekko printing house are just a few - looking at these artists, you can see how Kirsten celebrates their use of colour, shapes and linework in her own designs!

Kirsten's biggest struggle is that she likes to take risks. "Basically there's no right or wrong in art� it's how you do it". When Kirsten was told to find her style, she spent time stressing and doubting herself

Kirsten's Advice For Up and Coming Artists

Kirsten's advice to other artists who are at the beginning of their journey is to follow their dream, and their vision, as far as they safely can. "Not everybody is able to." Kirsten stresses. "Basically you've got to feed yourself, you've got to pay rent... I don't think you should focus on the monetary side of it, I think you should just follow what you enjoy doing, and if you stick to your own thing, people will find you."

She also stresses that people will discover your work if you share it. Don't force it out into the world where it doesn't fit, and don't feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing. "You don't want to be somebody who just goes along (with what everyone else is doing), where there's no there's no originality or artistic foundation."

Shop Kirsten Katz's Designs at KOO

We're delighted to have Kirsten on board here with us at KOO, sharing her insights, thoughts and incredible art with us. You can find her beautiful prints on a variety of KOO products. We encourage you to uplift the colours of your home with any of her designs! Kirsten's art adds beauty and colour to designer products.