The artist in her current habitat
Catherine LaSota
Creativity Coach
Who the hell am I, and why am I invested in helping writers and artists of all kinds achieve a fulfilling, creative life?
I moved to New York City, where I still live, in the late ‘90s, right after finishing college. My goal was to “be an artist in NYC.” The years that followed looked like: working overtime at an art supply store to make rent, having no time for a social life, and eating Cup O’ Noodles or a slice of pizza once per day as my complete meal plan (I was broke!). Also — I was writing and drawing and making songs and generally just trying to figure out what “being an artist” meant to me.
As the decades passed, I moved around the city almost ten times, rented four different art studios, taught myself to photograph artwork for hire, performed onstage as a singer and a French horn player, and took dozens of writing workshops.
I also traveled across five of the seven continents, tended bar, worked as an executive director in higher education, and managed a handbag store. Along the way, I got married and had a couple of kids — you can read about some of that experience in a column I wrote about becoming an artist-parent.
I am the founder and host of the LIC Reading Series, the founder of the Resort writing community, and I’ve been the host of a few podcasts, including, currently, Cabana Chats, a podcast about writing and community.
Along the way, I have come to realize that no creative life is built alone. Artists, writers, musicians, and other performers and creators need each other to thrive. We lift each other up — when one of us meets a goal or reaches some success, we all benefit. This is why I believe in creating a healthy ecosystem for all writers and artists, and this is why I became a coach. I want to help you reach your artistic dreams by holding space for you, asking powerful questions, helping you to understand your options, and offering resources as I’m able.
I come to this work with a sense of purpose, a lot of experience, and a wealth of education, including:
BA in Studio Art, University of Maryland
BA in Art History, University of Maryland
Summer Sculpture Intensive, New York University
Summer Studio Art Program, Chelsea College, London
MFA in Sculpture, Parsons The New School for Design
MFA in Creative Nonfiction, Queens College, CUNY
Writing workshops at Columbia University, Sackett Street Writers Workshop, The New School, One Story, and private group workshops with Robert Lopez and Myla Goldberg
Participation in The Cabins multi-disciplinary retreat and two Fortify Detroit writing retreats
Training as a workshop facilitator with the New York Writers Coalition
Master Awaken Your Life Coach, via certification by the Association for Coaching and training with Andrea Leda, Master Life Coach
Member of the Association for Coaching
Programs with Lindsay Mack (tarot), Sarah Faith Gottesdiener (lunar cycles), and Kelly Diels (feminist copywriting)
Member of PEN America, Electric Literature, Women’s Media Group, and other professional organizations
“I’m grateful for Catherine’s insightful and warm presence as a creative coach, and the ways she has helped me to see room for growth in my practice—and also things I can let go of! She brings much wisdom and capacity to coaching, and I would recommend her services to artists and writers seeking holistic and in-depth support around their practice.”
-SILOH RADOVSKY, writer
I look forward to getting to know you and your creative work better! Reach out for a 15 minute phone chat if you are curious to learn more about my coaching offerings.