Today we’d like to introduce you to Ms. Kara White.
Hi Ms. Kara, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was so fortunate to have a very talented artistic father. He was an architect and started drawing, sketching and painting with me when I was 4 years old. We are both left handed and I loved sitting near him and watching him create his blue prints. As I got older I began to sell my paintings the first one when I was 11 years old. It was then that I learned the most valuable lessons from my dad. He would tell me decide what the art you are doing is worth and then don’t count the hours or the square footage just finish it with pride and you will always be happy with the outcome, he would also say to me, “some money is better than no money” I had an amazing Art Teacher all 4 years of high school, her name was Mrs. Tamuty. She let me work in her supply room when the class got too noisy, she came to school early for a few weeks so I could finish an oil painting for my parents. She honored me with a scholarship in art to start community college during my senior year. Many years later after her passing her husband Don Tamuty traveled from Phoenix to San Diego to attend my 1st art exhibit at Old Town where I displayed 12 of my paintings. He put a check in my hand and said, pick the one you think my wife would have loved the most. It was a very heartfelt experience. Well, I decided to paint a oil portrait of her and I drove to Phoenix to deliver it to him. My story as a Commissioned artist started in High School in Phoenix, I attended my 1st year of community college at night while still a Senior at Central High School. I received an art scholarship and was already being commissioned to create murals in Children’s bedrooms and baby nurseries. I have had a pretty steady client base to create portraits of family members, pet portraits and landscapes throughout my career. As my two kids grew up I loved drawing with them, teaching them strategies and techniques that make art easier and more fun for kids. This made me realize how much I love teaching art. Moving to San Diego brought on a great opportunity for me to become Artist-in-residence at Highland Ranch Elementary where my kids attended school . I held that position for 13 very proud years. During that time I was hired as the official artist for the Mrs. United Nation Pageant where I painted the backdrop for the stage and drew a pencil portrait of each of the winners in their crown and sash, I did this for 5 years. I am currently Artist-in-residence at Monterey Ridge Elementary school and I will be starting my 17th year there this fall. As the art educator in the Cre8iv Space area I designed for the kids, my favorite time of the year is our Art Walk where we all get to enjoy the masterpieces the kids have worked so hard on.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have been very grateful for the local support of so many families keeping art lessons going for their kids. Inflation has been the biggest struggle when art and art lessons are not top priority which is understandable.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My students call me Ms. Kara. As an artist and art educator, I offer a range of creative services to inspire and educate. My offerings include engaging art lesson videos, personalized commissioned artwork such as family and pet portraits in diverse mediums, and both online Zoom sessions and in-person art classes suitable for all ages. I have illustrated a published children’s book which became my proudest moments as I autographed personal messages to hundreds of students, “My Imagination Goes with Me”and created an assembly at Stone Ranch Elementary school, where I taught art from the characters I designed in the book. I have two books that can be purchased through Blurb. One is a fun ABC book and the other is a funny coloring book inspired by my students at Monterey Ridge elementary school in my art room that I was able to design and call Cre8iv Space.
Over the past 30 years, I’ve been privileged to teach art throughout Southern California, currently as Artist-in-Residence for the Poway Unified School District. I have a passion for teaching themed birthday parties, I love teaching one-one art lessons after school and with small groups. I enjoy so much my once a month visit teaching at Beep Bop Daycare for 3 years. It is always the best feeling to get asked to return to create an event again and this has been my 3rd consecutive year teaching an art lesson for teacher time to 1st graders at Highland Ranch. I have been honored to teach a class once a month at the Escondido Arts Association.
It was such a great honor to be asked to teach at CoLabCrafts in Escondido for the 1st annual Escondido Arts, Culture and Creativity month. Kiwanis of Los Rancheros sponsored me to teach a weekly class at Ronald McDonald House for 3 amazing years, my most heartfelt journey. Ronald MsDonald House asked me to teach the volunteer paint and sip night 2 years in a row. I have loved the experiences I have had with Mostra in 4S Ranch teaching a variety of holiday art lessons. My Zoom art classes have continued and reach far and wide. I am the after school art teacher for three clubs through Elevated Charter School in Utah.
Photography is another passion of mine I love to photograph families and pets! I also have held many summer art camps teaching students how to become a better photographer. I have been teaching my week long summer art camps for 35 years and I love the concentrated amazing art or photography quality time I get with my students.
It was a high honor to be asked to have an art exhibition showcasing my paintings at My Point Credit Union in Rancho Bernardo and to also teach some classes at that location.
Recently I was asked by one of my dear friends if she could use some of my paintings to help stage decor for a home she is selling.
I was just nominated for Outstanding Art Educator for North County Arts Award 2025 at the California Center for the Arts.
My experience has taught me, art is always better if you are comfortable and having fun. I firmly believe that a positive art experience can leave a lasting impact. I instruct students in art fundamentals, from basic techniques to advanced skills across various mediums, all while exploring the diverse techniques and styles of artists throughout history.
Providing Zoom art classes has allowed me to connect with students across different states which has enriched my teaching experience. I want to continue sharing my love of art and look forward to every art lesson I get to teach.
I am so proud to be able to offer such a wide variety of art experiences, from teaching, illustrating, creating commissioned art pieces, birthday parties, paint and sip events, summer art camps on location or at homes, and all the time getting to do what I love and loving what I do.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
My Mom taught me the importance of communicating and getting along with people which has been a very big asset to my career as an artist and art educator. Word of mouth is the best way to get continuous job opportunities. Social media is the best form of networking and I am grateful my daughter takes care of that part of my career. Building a strong portfolio of work to show clients is a key factor in becoming successful.
Pricing:
- $400-$900 for commissions depending on the details of the photo reference
- $100-$400 for logos, flyers, holiday card artwork
- $65.00 per hour for art lessons, adjusted rate for groups and $55 an hour for Zoom art
- $200 starting price for birthday parties
- $200 beginning price for family photoshoot
Contact Info:
- Website: https://artistic-videos.com/artwithmskara
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cre8iv_ms.kara?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ArtwithMs.Kara?
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@MsKara-qb7bq
- Other: https://ko-fi.com/cre8iv_mskara
