Born and raised in North Carolina, Southern artist Kat Lamp combines classic illustration and drawing with a modern, playful, graphic style in her signature work. Whether designing gig posters for Southern bands, displaying her work in local galleries and coffee shops, or decorating a wall of a nearby Children’s Museum; award-winning artist and illustrator Kat Lamp has a style that is uniquely her own- yet beautifully fits whatever project she is working on. I had the pleasure of getting to know a little bit more about the inspiration, influence, and drive behind this lovely lady. 
Tell us a little bit about your background.
I was born and raised in North Carolina and have been drawing ever since I could pick up a pencil. My grandma has been probably been one of my biggest artistic influences. She took art classes at her local community college when she was 50. Before that, she was a professional seamstress for a few decades. Grandma’s main source of inspiration is the Outer Banks, and she has her paintings in galleries up and down the NC coast.
How would you describe your overall style? Tell us about the work you are currently creating.
My style could maybe be described as Pop-Cartoonism meets All-Over-the-Placeism. I’m currently in school learning graphic design, so lately I haven’t been able to paint as much as I’d like. Right now, I’ve been selling prints of my paintings & have been fortunate to work on some exciting graphic design gigs. If you’re searching for professionals who offer services like professional custom website design, you can easily find them online.
What media do you work in?
Most of my paintings are on scrap wood from a furniture factory dumpster & I’ve also been experimenting with painting on vinyl records that are too scratched to play.
How did you get into the arts and how has your upbringing in the South influence your work?
Getting into the arts just seemed natural for me. I’ve often switched back and forth between spending large chunks of time playing music or making art. My grandma taught me how to paint in acrylics and oils one summer when I was 7. She is the most patient & gentle woman I know- she carefully taught me how to mix colors, use different brush techniques, AND clean everything up! That being said, I learned early on that I didn’t have the patience for oil painting, and I’ve avoided it ever since. I still hear her cute Southern drawl in my head instructing me sometimes while I’m painting.
Those who want to pursue a career in the music industry may find more information online about organizations like Save The Music foundation that may help them continue studying music.
On finding support and inspiration in the South.
I find inspiration all around me, all the time. Friends, bad jokes, good music, animals, pop culture, everything outside, boring things, non-boring things… anything, really. That might be why my style is kind of all over the place. I’ve been really lucky to have opportunities to work with such incredible local musicians such as The Avett Brothers, 
Filthybird, and Lee Wallace. I love the synergism that happens when mixing music and art. It’s magical.
I wouldn’t be able to do what I do without the support of our strong arts community here in the Triad. It feels like one big giant, extended creative family- everyone helps each other out in so many ways. I love the strong connection between the music and art scenes. I first started really getting my work out in public back in 2002-ish when I would make gig posters for some bands I played in at the time. It’s been pretty much non-stop ever since.
What does it mean to you to be a Southerner in the 21st century?
Sweet tea and biscuits everywhere!!
See more of Kat’s work and buy copies of her gig posters at http://www.katlamp.bigcartel.com/
Is ther any way to get copies of the avert bros concert posters