Katrina Meister is one of those rare birds; an Ashland, Oregon native. She is a proud Ashland High alumni from the graduating class of 1988 (Go Grizz!) and a 5th generation Oregonian. She has carried a sketch book with her for as long as she can remember, an artist from a young age. “I always took art classes as electives in school, but I never really envisioned making a career out of my art.”
In true Oregonian style, Katrina got her degree at the University of Oregon (Go Ducks!). She studied Psychology but also took art classes, focusing primarily on sculpture and photography. Half way through she realized “art was an important part of me, so I put in the extra hours to graduate with a double major in art and psychology.”
After college she continued to follow her passion for art. Oil and water-color painting became her touchstone to art while working another job.
In 2020 she started making greeting cards from her art. She printed them herself and got up the nerve to test the market. Nervous and quite shy, she took samples to Bloomsbury Books in downtown Ashland. The owner was there and really liked the cards. “She was great, she loved my art and the quality of the cards and offered me my first wholesale account.” Karina’s Cards was established, and Bloomsbury still sells Katrina’s Cards.
This summer is the 25th season of Katrina’s Cards, and the business has supported her and her family for 20 years now. Art makes a difference.
Right after quitting her job to become a full time artist, Katrina met some local artisans who encouraged her to join the Holiday Market at the Briscoe ArtWing. She made the proper inquiries, jumped through the hoops, and had a successful showing. The following spring she juried in and joined the Lithia Artisans Market of Ashland (LAMA). That was 20 years ago.
“The art at the market is of such high quality, and the community is so supportive of one another. I cannot imagine a more beautiful setting for an open air art festival. What a gift to sell my art on the front lawn of the park I grew up in. It is an honor that none of us take for granted.”
We have all grown accustomed to seeing Katrina every weekend at the market, but times are changing. Her plan is to move at the end of this season to points further north. Her and the family are moving to Washington state for business and family reasons. If you have been wanting to purchase some of Katrina’s art then now is the time before the opportunity is gone.
Find Katrina and dozens of other talented artists and crafts-folk every weekend along Calle Guanajuato and in front of Lithia Park in downtown Ashland. Open Saturdays and Sundays 10am-5pm.
