Meet Kat AKA: PapaStrawbeary | Queer Character Illustrator & Small Business Owner”

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kat AKA: PapaStrawbeary and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi PapaStrawbeary, what inspires you?
When I was very young, I was super into anime on Toonami, video games, and yes, even comics books. I think genuinely growing up looking at other artists’ creations made me want to follow suit and create, as well. I think besides media, artists at conventions really helped me see it as a potential life’s work. Artist alleys have always been my second home. I remember being around 8 and trying to sell my drawings for 25 cents in con halls.

As I got older, I fell out of the anime crowd, and delved into more western cartoons, fandoms, and the like. I think that’s when I started to take my ideas more seriously, too. Haha, from there I started trying to write my own stories, and make more and more art. Not to get too far off topic of inspiration though. I would say other artists (of all creative jobs) and especially artist friends ultimately inspired me to where I am now: not only still actively studying illustration but seeking a full career out of it. 🙂

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
For my art, I enjoy both traditional and digital methods of creating. Traditionally, I like doing line work with inking pens, messy sketches, and watercolor paintings. As for digital art, I find the endless possibilities so exciting. A big part of my love for art is that its very hands on, but it also requires a lot of thought. To nail perspective, there are so many things to consider to make sure that it lines up correct. It keeps me involved physically and mentally. As for subjects of art that I like creating; I draw a lot of my own characters and fan art. I’m a fan of horror movies, shows, games, and web-comics. I want to say it shows a little in my art, no matter what I’m working on.

Its hard for me to pinpoint what sets me apart from others… I think, or hope anyway, that I have a unique style and characters. I think I’m always proud to learn something new and create an artwork that I feel like I haven’t done before in the past. For any starting (or even just struggling) artist I have three recommendations that I always try to follow, and I recommend at the panels that I teach: always study anatomy from real people, don’t compare yourself to others (we all go at our own pace), and its okay to not be good immediately (don’t focus on perfection). Art is a skill that we learn, it isn’t a talent magically gifted to us.

To state simply, I’d like to make comics someday. Besides sharing the stories and characters that I will share in the future, my other dream is being able to travel the world vending at conventions as PapaStrawbeary! Now, where I am professionally today.. Currently, I’m an Arizona artist who vends in artist alleys at local Arizona conventions and events!! Its exciting to meet other fans, and share those similar passions with strangers, Its even more exciting when you meet past clients and fans of your work. I want to create fun things that I enjoy and others will enjoy. 🙂

Like all artists, and people really, there have been many ups and downs throughout my life. I was brought up in a household where most of my family ran their own businesses. I think genuinely, that it had a big impact on me deciding to not just work somewhere doing art, but rather run my own business doing art. Despite the embrace of independence to work for myself, I found that some struggled with me being an openly non-binary queer person, and unfortunately it wasn’t always safe for me to be myself. Ultimately, I did struggle with myself as a person and with my mental health. What would my future even be like if I couldn’t exist as myself, y’know? With time and help from precious loved ones.. I continued to push forward, and I continue to draw and create. I wanted to love myself, my art, and to keep growing as an artist and as a person. In 2020, I had to close my original business, and I wasn’t sure if I should reopen again. For that, I have to thank my mom and younger brother Sky for supporting my starting again.
It has gotten a lot better. I wouldn’t say that it has been an easy ride, but I think, we as people are all strong enough to find strength in and from each other. As an artist, I want to help lend people my strength through my art (and someday my stories as well).

If I had to summarize myself as a brand I think it would be “your spooky dad friend says it will be okay” haha. Like I hope my brand is somewhat comforting and fun in the art I design for products and vibes, but also thought and emotion provoking for my more serious pieces. Oh, and maybe a little chaotic since that’s what makes creating so much fun.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
So, I have lived in quite a few cities here in Arizona, and picking some favorite spots was a little hard to say the least haha.

For delicious food places, I would take them to Lulu’s Taco Shop in Gilbert, DeFalco’s in Scottsdale, George’s Famous Gyros in the Scottsdale/Tempe area, and for a beautiful historical sound Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa. After a meal if I were to recommend some fun shopping areas; I would definitely go to Tempe Marketplace for a fun outdoor mall setting, Terror Trader in Chandler for any horror and halloween fan, and Kei Collective in Phoenix which is a collective of small artists selling their goods. To recommend some fun cafes and bakeries for a lovely time I’d also suggest 85c Bakery in Chandler (with a bonus stop to Daiso the Japanese discount store), keeping the theme of Chandler I also want to recommend Spooky Swirls for some cute spooky cupcakes, and Boba Cutea for a super cute Boba tea shop setting with delicious Japanese food. If we wanted to play some games I have two spots I love visiting and that’s Snakes & Lattes, a board game cafe in Tempe, and then the Grid & Growlers, a fun barcade in Mesa.

Finally, although its a bit of a drive, I’d take a friend to Tucson for a day or two. We’d visit places like Old Tucson Studios (where old westerns were filmed), check out some of the beautiful historical buildings and the art walk in Tucson, hit the Cobra Arcade Bar in downtown, and if we had time, I’d drag them to Tombstone, the ghost town, and Mt Lemmon for its scenery.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh gosh, okay, so! I’d of course like to thank my mom and younger brother for standing by me and my career choices, every artist I’ve ever had the honor of meeting, and last but not least my friends both in person and online. I especially want to name some almost life long friends now: Sky, Val, Krystal, Gothie, Lala, Jack, Erin, Saturn, and Willow. Thank you all, I hope you know how much every single one of you mean to me.

Website: https://papastrawbeary.carrd.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/papastrawbeary/

Other: Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PapaStrawbeary

Image Credits
1st image (portrait of me), credit: Sky (https://www.instagram.com/tunnel.snake.bitch/)