Meet: Katrina Sophia, a talented deaf artist with an online shop!

By Rebecca-Anne Withey

Like a lot of people, once Halloween has passed my mind turns to Christmas and of course, The Christmas Shopping. I want to do things differently this year, and I’ve been inspired by articles and such online encouraging us to buy local and support small businesses wherever we can.

So imagine my delight when I discovered (through Facebook, of all places) a local, small business run by talented deaf artist Katrina Sophia.

Browsing her online shop via her website, you can see why she calls herself ‘crazy plant lady’ with a nature-inspired range evident in her cards, stationery, ceramics, jewellery and tote bags. Her range is super cute and very trendy, so when you’ve finished reading this – go and have a peek!

I contacted Katrina to find out more about her work…

Hi Katrina, thanks so much for letting me chat to you, can you tell us a bit about you and your love of art. How did it all start?

Firstly, thank you so much!

I am an illustrator and small business owner. I run an online shop selling nature inspired paintings, stationery and homeware, and my products are stocked all over the UK and a few internationally!

About 8 years ago I was feeling a bit lost. I was struggling at university and I was working odd jobs such as glass collector, newspaper person, virtual assistant and social media officer. On top of being deaf I am an introvert, so I found working in a team really difficult. I was also in a ‘bubble’ at boarding school – I went from weekly speech therapy to none at all and I wasn’t prepared for the real world. It was a culture shock for me!

So one day I took control by setting up my business, despite having no plans at all or even any business knowledge! My mum’s partner very kindly built me a studio shed and I started painting commissions. It looked like I was living a dream but I struggled to navigate my business and lacked motivation. Things improved after a few years when I finally found my own illustration style, gained a clear vision of what my business is about and where it should be heading to – basically something just clicked for me.

I love nature and it’s become prominent in my work. I wanted to show the wonder of the natural world through my illustrations. I love tactile things so creating products from my original work is something I am passionate about. I love seeing people using my cards, stationery and hanging my prints in their homes!

Fantastic! So where did you study?

I studied Fine Art and Scenic Art and didn’t complete either of these degrees. I wonder sometimes if I shouldn’t have gone to university in the first place but I do find what I’ve learnt during those years so valuable!

Life experience, eh. So where are you based now and what do you do in your spare time to inspire your art?

I live in Nottingham, and have done for nearly four years. I grew up and lived in London before that. After living with my partner there for two years we realised that we needed to save up for our future and we could not do that in such an expensive city so we decided to move our lives in the East Midlands, where we have unexpectedly fallen in love with, and bought a house right here last Christmas.

I attended Heathlands School and followed my big sister to Mary Hare!

My hobbies are indoor gardening (I have 160 houseplants and I am not buying anymore. Promise!), ceramics which are also becoming a part of my product range, visiting National Trust parks and going out for long walks.

I was born profoundly deaf. As soon as my Mum found out that my older sister was deaf she learnt sign language immediately and decided to bring us up signing.

As you’ve set up a business selling items – how did you find navigating the business world?

I find it tough but rewarding.

There are many little things I can’t do or struggle with but on most days I am able to manage my expectations and make the best out of it. My biggest disadvantages are not being able to network as confidently and smoothly as I can use BSL with deaf peers, so it’s difficult to make connections with fellow business owners and a mainstream audience, and I can’t participate in podcasts or chatty Instagram Stories.

I have had to work harder to get myself and my business ‘out there’ and find opportunities. I am thankful for social media platforms where I am able to network, share my work and communicate my message on screen.

In markets it is always difficult, especially because my hearing aids are hidden underneath my long hair so my deafness is invisible. It often surprises people when I answer their questions with sign and my broken speech. To overcome this I try to show confidence and reassure people I am a very cool person that does not bite!

If a communication breakdown occurs I have my partner to help me out – who is also deaf, but can speak – or resort to paper and pen. I sometimes receive negative responses to my deafness but my philosophy is if they think that way they don’t deserve my products!

So I am able to brush it off without getting too upset. There was one or two times early on that I actually cried but I became so determined to never let it to get me ever again!

Over the last 5 years of having stalls my visitors and peers within the creative community have become more and more aware about my deafness so it has got easier the more I sold in the markets.

For the bigger events, especially my exciting tradeshow opportunity in January, I use an interpreter to ensure that I don’t miss anything important.

What makes all this worth it is seeing my products sell and people appreciating my illustrations and understand why nature is amazing.

 

What do you aspire to create as an artist – whats the big dream?!

My dream is to have my products stocked in high street shops like Paperchase and John Lewis! I also have always dreamt of having a quaint shop filled with my products and houseplants but I have no idea how I could have time for that. I’d need an assistant – in fact, one of my little dreams right now is to have an assistant to help me with my admin because I am getting really busy!

Do you have any events or lines of work coming up you’d like to tell us about?

I have booked several markets in the run up to Christmas – I have already done three in the last three weeks and have another four over the next month. I absolutely love it but I am also looking forward to my Christmas break!

As I mentioned earlier I have a tradeshow booked in January which I am both excited and nervous about! It is going to be a huge step for me and my business. It will enable me to put my products in front of retailers and wholesale buyers. I hope to build contacts and get my products stocked in more shops.

What practical advice would you give to budding deaf artists who want to do the same as you?

Keep creating to find your trademark style, be persistent if you run into any setbacks, and stay authentic!

 

Katrina posts almost daily on Instagram, Facebook page, and Twitter. She would love to hear from you and your thoughts about her work!

Limping Chicken readers have been offered 10% off purchases through Katrina’s online shop using the code TLC2019 in the basket! Enjoy!

@bykatrinasophia
www.katrinasophia.com