Hi!
Meet Katia Wish
My name is Katia Wish. I am an illustrator, author and educator. I have over a decade of writing/illustrating children’s books and teaching Illustration at a college level. The events in my life led me to become a comic artist as well.
After my marriage abruptly ended in 2020, during the pandemic, when my sons were 5 years and 5 months respectively, it was my creativity that helped me to move forward.
Since the divorce, I have created comics about my life as a single/co-parenting mom, developed/taught new workshops, and re-established my Urban Sketchbook practice.
The divorce experience was extremely hard and the grief was profound and prolonged.
At the same time, the divorce made me re-examine my life from all different angles and gave me a chance to build a new, more fulfilling future. With the help of many amazing family members, friends, a life coach, colleagues, my sons’ school communities, neighbors and lots of motivational, self-improvement books and podcasts, my vision on my life started to shift.
I recorded little moments with my kids - hilarious, heartwarming, challenging and sweet. That led to a whole new direction in my work - comics about single/co-parenting and overcoming divorce.
This new body of work has gained momentum quickly. So far I have been published in the Boston Globe, Cup of Jo, Mutha Magazine, Belladonna Comedy and Literary Mama. I have exhibited at MICE, Boston Art Book Fair and LadiesCon.
I have emerged not only with a newfound sense of creative purpose, but I have also become a better teacher. I encourage my students to overcome fear, to challenge assumptions, and get their work to a whole new artistic and emotional level.
In addition to teaching at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, I have developed new workshops. My first workshop in 2022, Urban Sketchbook, generated amazing interest and responses. Since then, I have developed and taught the following workshops: Making Creativity a Habit, Urban Sketchbook, Character Design for Children’s Books, Drawing Comics About Everyday Life and Draw Me a Story.
After my divorce experience, I have more empathy and understanding. I appreciate little moments and kindness in my life. I have become an undeniable, relentless, and fearless optimist.
New habits now motivate and inspire me: meditation, exercise, gratitude, being accountable to a life coach, connecting with people around me in meaningful ways and the most important one - letting myself dream!
After several years of being single, I met my current partner. His kindness, humor, and emotional availability feel just right. My kids, my partner and I have a lot of adventures and experiences together.
If you have an illustration project, teaching/speaking opportunity or any other project that deals with art, creativity, parenting, overcoming divorce, grief or being mentally strong, please reach out. I love taking on new challenges and figuring out how to engage people in the most emotional and compassionate way. Let’s work together!
Have a beautiful day!