[INTERVIEW] HOF JULY 2025 @KATERINA78

* If you can’t see the video, please check the link below.

→Go watch now a video of 'July HOF @Katerina78'

American Impressionist painter Mary Cassatt is known for having painted many portraits.

She moved beyond traditional Impressionism, emphasizing composition and form, and highlighted her subjects with warm colors and soft curves.

Her portraits convey rich relationships and emotions, revealing psychological depth and a deep empathy for life.

In much the same way, @Katerina78, who has been selected for July’s Hall of Fame, brings out the richness of human experience through portraiture.

The artist’s feed is filled with beautiful portraits.

Delicate lines and expressive colors highlight each subject’s unique traits, revealing their emotional depth and many facets.

Alongside these portraits, the artist also shares realistic animal drawings and abstract works, offering a glimpse into the wide range of inspirations behind the art.

We can't wait to ask the artist about artworks through an interview.

So, let's start the interview with @Katerina78.

Q1. @PENUP

Hello, @Katerina78.

On behalf of everyone at the PENUP team, we’d like to congratulate you on being inducted into our Hall of Fame in July 2025.

Please briefly introduce yourself and tell us about your thoughts on selection.

A1. @Katerina78

First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the PENUP team for selecting me for the Hall of Fame.

It is a great honor and a deeply emotional moment for me.

I am originally from Greece, but I currently live in the Netherlands.

I’m a mother of three, and art has always been a way for me to express my inner world and emotions.

Q2. @PENUP

You first post dates back to April 2024.

How did you find out about PENUP, and what inspired you to share your work on PENUP?

A2. @Katerina78

I actually started drawing digitally in June 2022, when I bought my Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra.

The PENUP app was already installed on the phone.

I had no idea what it was, but when I opened it and saw it was about drawing, I got excited.

Until then, I used to paint on walls and canvases — I had decorated many children’s rooms that way.

At first, I uploaded some of my traditional paintings, since I didn’t know how to draw on a phone yet.

But with daily practice, I learned quickly.

What inspired me to stay and share my work was the wonderful energy of the community.

I felt welcomed and encouraged, and that gave me the motivation to keep improving and creating every day.

Q3. @PENUP

You’ve been creating portraits that capture people in a realistic way.

What kind of devices and apps do you use to create your artwork?

A3. @Katerina78

For creating my portraits, I exclusively use PENUP, which helps me capture every detail with precision and realism.

In the past, I sometimes used Infinity Painter for certain small details, but nowadays I prefer to work solely with PENUP because it fully meets my needs and offers all the tools I require.

Q4. @PENUP

We see a variety of works on your feed, including portraits and animal drawings.

What inspired you to start drawing?

A4. @Katerina78

I have always loved painting colorful portraits.

When I used to create on canvas, I would throw lots of paint and splashes, enjoying the freedom of colors.

I also really like trying to make portraits very realistic using black and white tones.

Recently, inspired by the enthusiasm of my dear friend Mary, I started drawing animals as well, and I’ve come to really enjoy it.

At this point, I want to dedicate my Hall of Fame entry to my beloved friend Mary, who is no longer with us, but I know she’s celebrating for me from up above, as she eagerly awaited PENUP to select me.

Q5. @PENUP

Your feed features many diverse and captivating portraits.

We’re curious as to why these people become a part of your paintings.

We’d also like to know more about the kinds of people you most often choose to depict in your work.

A5. @Katerina78

The portraits I create often convey feelings of sadness, pain, and seriousness.

I think this reflects some of the deeper emotions and experiences I carry within me, which I express through my art.

What I find most challenging to capture in a face is a genuine smile and joy, as these emotions seem harder for me to portray visually.

Q6. @PENUP

Sometimes you portray your subjects in black and white, and other times you use vibrant colors.

What makes you decide between these different approaches?

A6. @Katerina78

Sometimes I choose black and white to emphasize the emotions and seriousness in the portrait, as it strips away distractions and focuses on the depth of expression.

Other times, I use vibrant colors to bring energy, life, and a sense of freedom to the artwork.

The choice depends on the mood I want to convey and the story behind each piece.

Q7. @PENUP

Some of your works that focus on eyes make it feel like we’re exploring entirely new worlds.

What is it about eyes that inspires you to paint them, out of all the different parts of the body?

A7. @Katerina78

Eyes have always fascinated me because they reveal so much emotion and depth.

They are like windows to the soul, capable of expressing feelings that words often cannot.

When I paint eyes, I feel like I’m capturing a story, a world within each glance, which draws me in and inspires me deeply.

Q8. @PENUP

Your abstract pieces, along with your wide range of themes, really stand out.

Could you tell us what you’re hoping to express with these works?

We’re also curious about where you find inspiration for your abstract art.

A8. @Katerina78

Sometimes, when I see a remix or even a simple background, I can imagine a complete artwork within it.

This happens to me the same way it does when I look at clouds or patterns on the street—depending on the shapes, I can see a painted piece emerge.

It’s like my mind transforms these everyday visuals into inspiration, and all I need to do is pick up my pencil and start drawing on top of them.

Through my abstract art, I express this connection between reality and imagination, capturing moments where the ordinary becomes extraordinary.

Q9. @PENUP

Your lifelike drawings of animals, like dogs and cats, are also really impressive.

What draws you to include animals in your artwork?

Is there a new subject or theme you’d like to try exploring in the future?

A9. @Katerina78

I’ve always felt a special connection with animals, especially dogs and cats, which inspires me to include them in my artwork.

They have unique expressions and personalities that tell stories just like people do.

Drawing animals allows me to explore different emotions and bring warmth and life to my creations.

In the future, I would love to experiment with combining portraits and animals together, creating pieces that show the bond between humans and their animal companions.

I’m also interested in exploring more abstract themes to challenge myself creatively.

Q10. @PENUP

Last question.

Please let us know if there is anything you would like to see improved while using PENUP, or if there is anything you would like to say.

A10. @Katerina78

First, I want to sincerely thank PENUP for this amazing platform.

Not only did it teach me how to paint on glass, but it also gave me my little sister, Bahar, who always supports me like a true sister.

I dedicate my art and this journey to Mary, who is no longer with us but remains a deep inspiration.

While I am very satisfied with the app, I would love to see the old brushes brought back alongside the new ones, especially the splatter brushes that I enjoy using so much.

I believe the community should encourage and support real artists — there are many talented creators who need our encouragement.

At the same time, I feel that artificial intelligence has somewhat taken away the unique human touch and creativity from artists.

What did you think of our interview with @Katerina78?

Mary Cassatt was always seeking change, exploring a wide range of techniques and subjects that went beyond the boundaries of any single genre.

Similarly, @Katerina78 brings fresh inspiration by capturing the ever-changing nature of people through a variety of expressive approaches.

If you’re reading this, why not give portrait drawing a try?

It’s a great way to express yourself or capture the people around you in your own style, and you might find it really enjoyable.

We look forward to seeing PENUP filled with even more vibrant portraits and creative energy.

Thank you.