Meet Kathy Weiss

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kathy Weiss and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kathy, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Pursuing an artistic career has always felt like a natural path for me—it’s in my DNA. My father was a commercial artist, and my mother was a sculptor, so creativity was nurtured in every aspect of my upbringing, from art to writing, cooking, and beyond. I was serious about art from an early age, always sketching and experimenting. Family and friends would give me different materials to explore, and I vividly remember the joy of working with pencil, CRAYPAS, and watercolor in grade school. I even recall the moment my mother set up her easel with oil paints, and at 14, I took a stab at painting my first floral piece.
While my parents encouraged a well-rounded education, leading me to earn a degree in marketing, my career remained deeply intertwined with the creative world. Working in my family’s advertising agency, I collaborated with artists and writers, shaping brand identities and storytelling—from initial concept to design, messaging, and final execution. I was involved in every stage. One of the most impactful aspects of my career was working with a global client on color forecasting and consumer trends. For nearly 20 years, I traveled to cities like Rome, Milan, Lake Como, Singapore, and Chicago for intensive workshops, helping to identify emerging global trends and develop color palettes that captured the essence of these forecasts. This work, blending art, psychology, and cultural shifts, deepened my understanding of color and composition—foundational elements in my painting today.
Alongside my career in advertising, I have continued to pursue my own artistic journey, developing my fine art practice while maintaining my work in the creative industry. Holding a brush and translating my own vision onto canvas has become an undeniable focus, something that has always been in my blood.

Please tell us more about your art. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about.
I grew up on a 100-acre farm that was once a dairy farm. We had horses, chickens, one steer, and a pile of dogs and cats. As kids, we spent most of our time outdoors, surrounded by wild animals—deer, foxes, coyotes, bears, ducks, and geese. That closeness to nature instilled in me a deep love and respect for the natural world. We lived 2 ½ miles up a dirt road, where the only sounds were the rustling of leaves, birdsong, frogs, and peepers in the large pond. This profound connection to nature is the foundation of my work. Combined with my background in color, it gives my paintings a unique perspective. In some of my pieces, I invite the viewer to pause, appreciate nature’s fleeting beauty, and take a moment to observe and be grateful.
Art is always a challenge—it’s a process of push and pull, adding and subtracting, destruction and refinement. Some works call for harmony, while others demand visual tension. The art world is incredibly competitive, requiring years of dedication to master technique, understand the rules, and then break them to develop a distinctive style. It’s much like music—you don’t just learn to read notes and play a piece; you interpret, experiment, and make it your own.
I feel like I’ve made every mistake possible—then I turn around and make some more! But I embrace those mistakes, learn from them, and keep showing up. I once struggled with a painting, frustrated with the result, only to realize that the colors I had mixed on my palette paper were more dynamic and organic than what I had put on the canvas. That moment reinforced an important lesson—sometimes, the best work happens when you loosen control and trust the process.

I still struggle with the disappointment of low social media engagement. As much as I try not to care, I do. I can’t help but feel envious of artists with 20K followers and representation in galleries across the country. It’s hard to maintain confidence when success appears so visible and easily measured. But I remind myself that ‘likes’ don’t determine the quality of a piece—or its worth. Social media is just a small part of the journey, and staying true to my artistic voice matters more. It’s something I work on every day.

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?
Charlotte is a vibrant city with an abundance of things to see, do, and experience. To ensure my best friend has an unforgettable visit—without completely wearing them out—I’d start with a peaceful morning hike at McDowell Park, and especially the Prairie. It’s not uncommon to encounter professional bird photographers or a bird-watching group, making it a perfect introduction to the area’s natural beauty.
After working up an appetite, we’d stop by Bruster’s Homemade Ice Cream—my go-to is the Blueberry Cobbler, but it’s always a struggle not to choose their Pecan Ice Cream with half-sized nuts. From there, we’d head to the Charlotte Regional Farmer’s Market on Yorkmont Road, where the freshest fruits, vegetables, and stunning $15 cut flower arrangements make the trip worthwhile.
Next, we’d visit the Sullenberger Aviation Museum to see the famed US Airways “Miracle on the Hudson” flight up close. Afterward, we’d stop by West End Seafood Market on Beatties Ford Rd. for fresh fish, followed by a visit to Amélie’s French Bakery to indulge in their delicious pastries. The day would wrap up with a relaxing home-cooked dinner and a bottle of wine, savoring the best of Charlotte’s fresh finds.
Day 2 would begin with a leisurely morning at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden in Belmont, strolling through stunning landscapes and floral displays. We would stop at the Bagel boat for fresh bagels for a snack, In the afternoon, we’d set off on a boat trip on either Lake Wylie or Lake Norman, soaking in the gorgeous lake-side homes and unwinding in the sunshine.

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?
There are so many people to thank along my art journey. First and foremost, I owe the deepest gratitude to my parents, whose artistic talent shaped and inspired me. Their creativity and encouragement instilled in me a lifelong passion for art.
I’ve also had the privilege of working with incredible individuals in the arts industry—from art directors and writers to clients who valued and pushed for the highest level of creative expression. Their influence has been immeasurable.
My family has always been my greatest support system. My two daughters have become collectors of my work, proudly displaying pieces in New York. And my husband of 44 years deserves special recognition for his unwavering patience—especially when I fall in and out of love with my own work overnight! He takes it all in stride and further supports me with his craftsmanship, creating frames that beautifully enhance my paintings.
I also want to give a heartfelt shoutout to the Guild of Charlotte Artists, where I have served as a board member for five years. It’s a wonderfully nurturing community, filled with friendships and shared experiences—whether celebrating successes or working through artistic challenges. As an artist, and truly for anyone, having a sense of community makes all the difference.

Website: https://www.kathyweissart.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-blass-weiss-52a0446/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KathyWeissArt

Image Credits
Shot of Kathy taken by Valerie Williams Photography