Abstract canvas paintings and gigantic world or country maps can help when designing your perfect interior. With basic pastel walls in rooms, which is the current trend, the splash of bright co ordinating colour from a large canvas painting adds not only colour but interest and character. I was lucky enough recently to catch up with Kathleen Kolibius-Konig, graphic designer, artist and owner of Lana KK ….Hi Kathleen..
Hello, I am Kathleen. I am a very creative but still goal oriented person. Besides my life as an artist and company owner, I love nature and animals. I enjoy spending time with my husband, our chicken, dogs and cockatoos. For people who do not know me perceive me as a reserved person, but if people get to know me better the find out that I am a very happy and warm person.
What was the inspiration behind the setting up of your company, Lana KK?
I always loved art and design. I always wanted to inspire people to surround themselves with beautiful things.
I love the World Maps and the Wonderland Green Wall Picture particularly caught my eye! To date, what has been your most popular art work or item?
The world maps are our most successful products, closely followed by the abstract designs.
What’s your most favourite item in your collection?
I really love our world maps. Apart from the fact that the world maps are one of our most successful products, they represent a lot what Lana KK is about. Our goal was to create something new out of the ordinary world map. We thought that a world map could be great piece of art and design that people would love to have in their homes and offices. Picking a real favorite is hard for me as every picture represents a part of my own development.
I’m a bit of a map geek and your world maps are really gorgeous. What do you like about maps and why do you think they are popular?
I think we have found a really good balance between excellent design themes and geographic information. Our goal was to combine a piece of art with the benefits of a world map. Besides visuals, I think our customers love the cork magnetic variants of our world maps as this allows them to interact with the map and keep track of holiday dreams and memories.
Growing up, did you all have dreams of being an artist or did you have other career plans?
I did not plan to be an artist. Although I always loved drawing, I imagined myself being an assistant or manager in a company. I love organizing things and building processes. Having my own company gives me the opportunity to do creative work and organize things. Win win.
As Lana KK is based in Germany, are your products available to purchase worldwide?
At the moment, we deliver all over Europe regularly. We also deliver worldwide on request. As you can imagine, especially the shipment of large products, needs some extra planning, but we try to make everything possible for our customers.
If you could visit any place in the world to get inspiration for a new artwork collection, where would you go and why?
I love places that are as natural as possible. I really enjoy to be astonished by nature in all of its beauty. For me there is no such thing as one single place for inspiration. Most of my inspiration I can draw from small details. I believe nature has always been the greatest inspiration for humans.
Personal now – what outfits and shoes would you normally be found wearing?
I love showy and sporty outfits and shoes with a tendency towards elegance. I am always looking for special pieces with a great design. Sometimes I buy high heels just for the design. I do not wear them very often, but if I wear them I do them with pride 🙂
Do you have any favourite shops or online sites ?
I have no real favourites. Generally, I love sites with well curated offers.
Boots or Shoes?
Both 🙂 In everyday life I often prefer shoes. They are simple and comfortable. My husband and I enjoy walking with our dogs, that often requires the more practical choice. Sometimes I prefer boots, because I just think boots are more elegant and just look better on me.
Links you would like to share e.g. website/facebook etc so that readers can find out more about Lana KK
https://www.lanakk.com/uk/magazin.html
https://www.facebook.com/lanakkart/
https://www.instagram.com/lanakk_art/
https://www.pinterest.de/lanakkart/
Thank you Kathleen for fabulous abstract designs and for taking the humble world map to a new dimension. Dear reader, would you consider having a world map on your wall or do the abstract paintings strike more of a chord with you?
Linda x
All photographs have been published with kind permission of Kathleen (Lana KK)