High-tech art

Watercolor and graphic design aren’t obvious art mediums to mix, but for Katie Curry, they’re the foundation of her new creative design company, Honey Brush Design. Curry has been a lifelong artist and majored in graphic design at Chico State, where she learned how to combine tangible art prints with computerized graphics. With support from her husband and family, Curry opened an Etsy store in January and has since been designing artwork nonstop, creating unique prints of nature scenes, flowers and inspirational quotations. She also does wedding artwork, including personalized invitations and watercolor prints of bridal bouquets and offers online wedding invitation templates. Follow Honey Brush Design on Facebook or visit Curry’s Etsy site at www.etsy.com/shop/HoneyBrushDesign.

Where do you find your inspiration?

In nature, mostly. Natural elements are so fun, because there is so much. I love being outside—there is always something new to see or even seeing something old in a new way. I also do most of my work at home, and I have a great view from my window.

Why did you start Honey Brush Design?

When I was younger, I wanted to take all the art classes in college. Instead, I decided to become a graphic design major, and I learned a lot more about modern art concepts and ways to create. Then, I wanted to design my own wedding invitations. I was able to paint the watercolor, scan them, and upload them into InDesign on the computer. I realized that I loved it and that I wanted to do it for work. I’ve had really good success so far, thanks to Etsy and word of mouth.

What are you currently working on?

I just finished teaching a watercolor class for children. It was really fun. I had to teach myself what I know so I would be able to teach them. I’m also teaching myself calligraphy for word art, and that way I can add more elements to my digital prints. I’m creating more templates for invitations, finding fonts, and always painting more things. I also have a funny desire to paint a cotton plant with watercolor. I think it would be really difficult to capture, and I want to challenge myself.

Where do you hope to go from here?

I want to get heavily involved with the wedding industry. Making invitations is a good way to start, but I think I could give a lot of creative contributions to someone’s wedding, and I want to go in that direction.