Kaitlyn MuldezKaitlyn Muldez is an artist living in Richmond, VA. Painting was a reprieve during her son's nap time which has since become a full-time devotional practice and business endeavor. When she isn’t painting landscapes she is adventuring with her family, reading, or therapeutically brushing her goldendoodle while watching The Office.
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Pursuing PassionFive years ago, right after my first year of teaching, I decided to stay home full-time with my son and shortly after decided I wanted to be an artist. It felt like a rebellion from the conventional worklife, letting my liberal arts English education sit on the shelf to pursue my passion which I was luckily privileged to do. I created the name Kaléa Sage Art knowing I wanted to keep my online presence a bit obscure. Most artists use their real names and strong branding (rightfully so) but I suppose I wanted to reflect the devotional practice that it was for me. Kaléa means “filled with joy” in Hawaiian (part of my husband’s heritage), and Sage (as we know in English) is to be wise. That felt like a good bit purposeful.
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Influences in Kaitlyn's Creativity
From birding, 19th century American history, to indie musician interviews, I try to find meaning in so many places and the lives that inhabit them. I steep myself in other worlds and perspectives and live there for awhile until I’m ready to move on. In Hannah Gadsby’s stand up “Nanette”, she does this awesome takedown of Pablo Picasso (which is too long to contextualize here, unfortunately) and subsequently says: “Ironically, I believe Picasso was right. I believe we could paint a better world if we learned to see it from all perspectives, as many perspectives as we possibly could. Because diversity is strength. Difference is a teacher. Fear difference, you learn nothing.” There is so much to unpack there but you get the gist.
What inspired the scenery & mood of "Before Rain"?“Before Rain” was based off of a field behind a farm I visited in Dade City, FL. In a matter of minutes the weather changed from sunny to cloudy and I felt a storm coming as the wind picked up. I wanted to capture that mood. It’s a good reminder that there’s nothing wrong in change.
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About Motherhood & the Creative Process
Zech has been teaching me more than I have been teaching him. When he was diagnosed with ADHD, I learned that I also have ADHD and suddenly life started making a lot of sense. Painting keeps me sane. It allows me to be engaged in something hands-on while simmering from the overstimulation that can come when both parent and son have neurodivergent minds. It's also kind of a superpower, I say when I want to keep our heads up.