Katie Deedy

Grow House Grow

Career Roadmap

Katie's work combines: Art, Entrepreneurship, and Being Creative

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Owner + Designer

I design narrative inspired wallpaper patterns.

High School

Bachelor's Degree: Crafts/Craft Design, Folk Art and Artisanry

My path in life took a while to figure out

1.
Decided as a young child I wanted to be an artist. Spent my school years doodling and drawing.
2.
Graduated college with a degree in art, but wasn't sure what to do with it. I was nervous.
3.
Felt where I lived wouldn't provide enough opportunity for my intended career in illustration.
4.
Moved to New York City and worked as a freelance illustrator. It wasn't as fulfilling as I'd hoped.
5.
Decided to make art for myself instead, fell in love with pattern making.
6.
Spent two years learning how to make wallpaper and start a business.
7.
Worked all sorts of side jobs to get by while I designed my first wallpaper lines.
8.
Started my company Grow House Grow, and now my art is my job!

Keep following my journey

THE NOISE
Messages from Parents:
You should get a serious job with stability and benefits. Art isn't a real career.
How I responded:
It didn't matter who was advising me or what pressure I was under, I never lost sight of what made me happy: making art. I made a point of learning each subject in school thoroughly, because I knew that every single one would benefit me in its own way--but no matter what, the end game was pursuing a career in design. Always trust your instinct. It's rarely wrong.

Experiences and challenges that shaped me

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I got a job at a restaurant as soon as I could when I was 15. Believe it or not, learning how to work in the service industry was a godsend. I've always been able to make ends meet and put money aside to help grow my business on my own.

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