Meet Katherine Wiley: Architectural Designer & Watercolor Illustrator

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

Hi Katherine, what do you attribute your success to?
The number one factor behind my success has been learning to take care of myself. I’ve read business advice that said “hard work, stick to your goals, and write things down.” It’s good advice but it didn’t resonate with me. I wanted a business but I didn’t know why it was so hard for me. It was in my mid-twenties when I was first diagnosed with depression and anxiety, after my diagnosis the reasons for my lack of success became clear to me. With the encouragement of my boyfriend, now husband, I finally got help and I learned that my depression, came from burnout and I was not taking care of myself. We talk a lot about self care as a society but I had to learn for myself what self-care meant to me. When you fly the flight attendant tells you in case of an emergency and drop in pressure to place your oxygen mask on first before assisting the person next to you. I needed to learn to put on my own oxygen mask first so that I could breath and grow. When I started to take care of myself the way I needed to be cared for, things like my business started to happen. Knowing myself led to knowing what I wanted to do, where my strengths lied and I finally had the energy to make those lists, stick to the goals and never give up. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always been into painting and watercolors but instead of pursuing art as my major in college, I chose to study architecture. Design school was one of the hardest things I have ever completed in my life but I am grateful for what I learned. Studying architectural delineation has permeated my watercolor skills in a way that sets me apart from most watercolor artists. The rigid attention to detail juxtaposed to the fluid and uncontrollable medium of watercolor helps me make watercolor illustrations that come to life. I know a lot of people have related to me when I mention my story and I want to tell those people its okay to change your mind even after you have a degree, never stop doing what you love even if what you love changes and evolves. Watercolor is my business and my passion but Architecture will always be my first love. I still practice today as an interior designer to make ends meet in-between puppy portraits.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I have friends in town I like to take them on what I call the ultimate Dallas Friday. To start we would hit up Houndstooth Coffee to get our lattes, the location on Sylvan avenue has excellent outdoor spots to sit and sip while catching up on the latest gossip or the last episode of Spanish Princess. After coffee and chatting if its been pay day and we are feeling extra, I love getting a pedicure at Pink Pedi which is located within walking distance of Houndstooth. After our toes are done and we are ready for the main course, in my opinion the best tacos in Dallas are at Trompo Taco located on the cool strip in Bishop Arts. After tacos I would show my friend around Bishop Arts and let them check out all the cool stores that are located there. After that it would definitely be time for a little siesta, so it would be back to my place for a nap or we could stop off at my older sister’s cute Oakcliff house for more coffee to revive. Have you noticed a trend? That’s right, I am addicted to coffee but I’m a millennial so that feels like a given. Evening time I like to head to a cool patio somewhere in the lower Greenville area like The Libertine to sip a whiskey sour made the old fashioned way.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I want to recognize my husband for being the person who empowered me to take care of my mental health which led to starting my business, I want to thank my sisters for being the cheerleaders I needed to keep going and a very special shout out to my amigas and fellow business ladies crushing the game and teaching me so much about business.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willow_waters_illustration/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WillowWatersIllustration
Youtube: https://youtu.be/cWZSe0LwqPA
Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/WillowWatersShop

Image Credits
Devon Tabor Photography, Willow Waters Illustration