Random thoughts

Just some random musings of the world around me.

Plus, I figured that if I committed to updating this section, I would be forced to edit or update my site at least once a month.

June 19, 2026

Happy Juneteenth to all who celebrate!

This is my first post of 2026, and that is a good thing. Why? I have been busy with freelance work and have had little time to update my site. That said, I am back on the hunt for freelance, part-time, or full-time work. HMU if you need creative help.

I know it has been a hard few years for creative folks—with the rise of AI tools and the uncertainty of our economy. I am not the only creative person hustling for work.

I have had my own challenges, outside of work: I had to put down one of my dogs, due to severe health issues and behavioral aggression. It was heartbreaking. Now, I may have to put down two more of my doggies due to old age, Canine Cognitive Decline, and various other health problems.  

Having pets...especially dogs...can be such a great joy and can be such a great challenge. When it comes time to consider their end-of-life needs, I am often at a loss. But, I signed up for this. And it is an honor to walk them home. 

So while I continue to hustle for work, I spend my off-time taking care of my senior doggies. They are my angels and inspiration.

December 31, 2025

Happy New Year!

I think it is fair to say that 2025 has been hard on most of us.

For me personally, working on a design contract for the better part of the year was a blessing. After being laid off two years ago, I was contracted to help out a nonprofit with their branding. It was a great gig. But it came to an end last September and now I am on the hustle again.

I feel that 2026 is the year that I double down on some skill sets.

So, here’s to 2026—and may this be the year I focus my creativity and find a clearer niche so I can better serve my clients.

May 2026 be a successful year for you too!

November 27, 2025

Today is Thanksgiving and I have a lot of gratitude for my life. Here is a link to a LinkedIn post, talking about gratitude.

November 7, 2025

I posted this a while back on LinkedIn, but it still applies today.

When it comes to learning software, I have found that every program has its “critical mass” point. Once I get past that particular hurdle in the learning curve, everything else follows naturally. For example:

Adobe Photoshop — My turning point with this first software program was learning layers, including layer masks and adjustment layers. The brush tool was another breakthrough, and I found a Wacom stylus very helpful.

Adobe Illustrator —  (one of my favorite programs), it was learning Bezier curves...the continuous curve by means of a formula, created by French engineer Pierre Bezier. Once I got that down, (again, a Wacom stylus pen is the BOMB for this), I felt comfortable in the program.

Adobe InDesign — (the Mother of all layout programs), it was learning Master pages and stylesheets. There is SO much to that program that many designers miss and it’s far more powerful than it’s given credit. But once I got those two concepts, everything fell into place.

Adobe AfterEffects — (a POWERFUL program), it was understanding compositions and expressions. And mastering the camera. I have barely scratched the surface of this program but was able to do some motion graphics with the limited knowledge I have of the program.

Adobe Animate and Tumult’s Hype — Both programs have a lot in common, and the turning point for me was learning symbols and how to use them effectively. I have had a lot of fun creating HTML5-based animated banners for Google Ads submission, and both programs are excellent for that.

Figma — I am still learning Figma, but the defining moment for me was learning Auto Layout and prototyping, although I need to take both much further. I can see why it’s the preferred tool of many UX designers.

Webflow — I built this site in Webflow. I am finding that knowing a bit about website structure (HTML/CSS) and the terms associated with it is very helpful. Also, learning the Content Management System (CMS) is a big deal in this program. I have NOT hit my critical mass just yet. But hopefully, soon.

Procreate — One of my favorite programs. Actually, there was very little learning curve on this one...the program is designed to make digital drawing/painting as close to the traditional method as possible. And it does! BUT, I watch a lot of tutorials from other digital artists to see how they tackle a painting.

October 27, 2025

Every year, I attend the #LightBoxExpo in Pasadena, California. And every year, I post my thoughts on #LinkedIn. Rather than reposting what I wrote on LinkedIn, here is the link:

October 6, 2025

Years ago, when I first created katymurta.com, using some old software, I added a section of my various thoughts and influences throughout my creative career.

I am providing that list here. I had forgotten about these various artists. So, in many ways, this page is a reminder for me.

It's to help ME remember. Remember what it was like to love someone's work. To study them for hours. To remember what it was like to be INSPIRED. It's too easy to get jaded in this fast-paced industry.

The following creators are people that have influenced me in some profound way. Some I know personally, some I do not. Some are writers, some are artists. But all have made their mark on me in some way.