Meet Kat Pavin

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kat Pavin.

Hi Kat, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in a dysfunctional environment in a very small town near the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina during the early 70s. I started drawing and painting at the age of 3 and discovered the joy of just being, although at that age I did not know to label it as such.

The ignorance and blissful state of a child’s creative mind is something that we strive our whole life as adults to get back to. I was determined to be creative and make a living for myself in what I called the “Freedom Fields.” I attended Winthrop University, graduating with a BA in Art and Design with a Minor in Art History.

I became an interior designer and quickly discovered the lack of creative freedom and expression in that field so decided to move in a different direction. I worked as a model and spokesmodel at an agency which led me to marketing in corporate America.

I was recruited to handle marketing in NASCAR and the IRL and then recruited again as the Director of Sports and Entertainment at a management company, owned by a celebrity NFL All-Pro Quarterback and his agent. I was married and nine months later I was divorced. I started a management, and marketing business in the music industry and was frustrated with the small amount of success.

I traveled, socialized, mingled, negotiated, had meetings, talked, and talked but my experiences remained on the surface. I was constantly manifesting something new and then moving on to the next thing, looking for the next experience. It was a huge adjustment period for a free spirit and a lonely one.

I excelled in my areas of marketing to the public but was unhappy, unfulfilled, and still looking to fill what I refer to as the “hole within.” I eventually became stuck in my own self-created muck and realized that I would have to take some action to change. I finally acknowledged my abusive childhood, began delving into the past, and peeled off the layers of misery from my internal core.

I went to see a therapist who asked me when I was last creative just for myself and I realized it had been years. I left her office, proceeded immediately to the art supply store and I began to paint again and rediscovered the joy that creative expression brings. Through engaging in this creative, therapeutic process, I was able to release deep-seated, emotional scars.

I created lots of artwork, exhibited in New York, and Nashville, and shown in magazines and on television. I went back to school to obtain my MA in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Expressive Art Therapies while working with nonprofit organizations that helped vulnerable populations in Nashville.

I worked at several substance abuse facilities and introduced art, body movement, and mindfulness as medicine. I opened a private practice, continued to paint, and have been facilitating change within others for over 20 years. On this journey I discovered myself.

I believe it is crucial to know yourself before you can heal, recover and grow to lead a fulfilled, empowered life.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Learning to thrive is difficult with PTSD, there are no handbooks given out, one must learn coping skills at a very young age and these are not always nurturing.

Wanting to be loved and accepted unconditionally is what everyone likely wishes for, but doesn’t always receive when they’re introduced to the world.

Figuring out what one needs and then learning how to ask for help is difficult, but crucial in moving forward.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m an Artist, Professional Badass, Experiential Psychotherapist, Licensed Art Therapist, and Empowerment workshop facilitator.

I’m known for my uncanny ability to understand people on a deep soul level and help individuals shift their perspectives on how they see themselves.

I’m more honored than proud, that through my own life experiences, I have been able to develop unique tools that help others. It’s easy to give up, but much harder to do the work of learning to love and accept yourself.

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I grew up on a farm. We lived in a trailer until I was in 5th grade. I wore handmade clothes and some of my brother’s clothes in elementary school.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.katpavin.com
• Instagram: @katpavin  @katpavinstudio
• Link to purchase art and merch: https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/kat-pavin