Wildkat Studio is based in sunny Portland, Oregon and is run by illustrator and textile artist Kathryn Balistreri.
Take a peek at my portfolio below or visit Instagram for my latest work!
I’m currently booking both illustration and felt banner commissions for August 2026 and onward. Get started now by submitting your ideas here.
Client: Pink Tiger Games
Brief: Create illustrations for ice cream-themed playing card game.
For this project I was given full creative freedom to create all artwork, characters, and color palette. I came up with the idea to use small icons to represent the ice cream flavors in the upper left corner of the cards. I also designed the art for the back of the cards (merging all four flavor colors), and the card box cover as well. The text for “Melted” is my original hand writing.
Client: Portland Cherry Bombs FC
Brief: Create a poster design, scarf, koozie, and sticker for an "Artist Series" merch collection.
I was provided a basic color palette and mood board for this project, but also had full creative freedom. One of the catch phrases for the team is "Strike The Fuse", so I centered the design based on this imagery along with cute hand drawn icons to resemble a punk rock gig poster.
Client: Pink Tiger Games
Brief: Create a poster design, scarf, koozie, and sticker for an "Artist Series" merch collection.
I was provided a basic color palette and mood board for this project, but also had full creative freedom. For budgetary reasons, the scarf design was limited to using only 3-colors, so I used black, pink, and red and created punk motifs that would be cute and fashionable.
Client: Portland Mercury
Brief: Cover Design for May 2025 Summer Fun Guide
I drew this "Creature From the Black Lagoon" but instead of a scary monster, as a cute youth playing in a kiddie pool (Keep Portland Weird!) The AD asked for the background to be "more Portland", so I added in the riverfront, the bridge and sun/trees, and grass in the foreground to convey Portland's greenery during the summertime.
Client: @cleolonglegs
Brief: Create illustrations to be used for assorted merch in their online store
I created this set of colorful and cute tattoo-style illustrations. They include a pink dog butterfly, a classic American traditional style heart with "SNOOT" banner, a praying dog paws, a white borzoi dog crawling black (inspired by the crawling panther-style tattoo). I also came up with using the classic "Pharoah's Horses" and playing off that created "Pharoah's Noodles" using all three dogs in one image.
Client: Multnomah Village Association
Brief: Create poster design for the 2025 Multnomah Village Days Street Festival
For this design, I was given full creative freedom but to also "make it kid-friendly". I pitched the theme of "summer street fair sticker designs", as a way to highlight all the activities that were to be included in the poster design. Using bright colors and background of bright sky blue, the posters and A-frame sign really stood out around the neighborhood and in store windows, highlighting the event and sponsors.
Client: Creston Elementary School
Brief: Create a lawn sign design for the Bike Bus program
I knew I wanted this design to be eye-catching for both kids and adults. I used their school colors (blue+orange) and included their mascot (the eagle). We needed to include both Spanish and Vietnamese translations so this text is shown as smaller text between the main text. These signs were put up all around the bike route leading to the school.
Client: Target (Vendor)
Brief: Create artwork for a Paint-by-Number Christmas Countdown Kit, Ski Theme
I illustrated cute skiers and snowboarders along with Christmas trees for this paint-by-number kit. I composed the scene and layout. This kit was produced and manufactured exclusively for Target under the Mondo Llama line.
Client: Target (Vendor)
Brief: Create artwork for a small wooden laser-cut paint-by-number Christmas lantern
I illustrated each scene for the 4 sides of this laser-cut wooden lantern. The kit is meant to be painted by kids and easy to assemble. Using strategically placed cutouts, I created a unique design including stars and moon at the top of the lantern.
This kit was produced and manufactured exclusively for Target under the Mondo Llama line.
Client: Food Court 5000
Brief: Create a sticker design to promote the local mall-walking group
This project was pro-bono! I illustrated a sticker design using a classic mall rat working out in 80's attire. This sticker doubles as a promotion for this weekly event as I included the time/date and location. We love a double-use sticker design.
Client: The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette
Brief: Create a sticker set for the Y as a free giveaway for the community
Highlighting the PNW and the Y's brand colors, I created a collection of six stickers featuring native animals and trees, each representing different YMCA locations and activities. The stickers are in the shapes of the OR and WA state lines.
Client: The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette
Brief: Create a 1-color T-shirt design for the Youth Summer Camp for the theme "Belonging Through Play"
I wanted to convey "belonging" literally with puzzle pieces spelling out the word PLAY. The surrounding artwork highlights all the activities offered at summer camp: STEM, soccer, basketball, cooking, and art.
Client: The YMCA of Columbia-Willamette
Brief: Create a 1-color T-shirt design for the Youth Summer Camp for the theme "Belonging Through Play"
I wanted to convey "belonging" literally with puzzle pieces spelling out the word PLAY. The surrounding artwork highlights all the activities offered at summer camp: STEM, soccer, basketball, cooking, and art.
Wedding Invitation Design
For this forest-themed wedding set in an urban outdoor garden, I created this invitation filled with creatures, flowers, and greenery. I also created a matching sticker-set with all the animals and flowers that was used as a free wedding takeaway gift.
Baby Shower Invitation Design
Brief: Create an invitation with a cute boyish "monster" theme
For this invitation I illustrated adorable little monsters to surround the text.
Bridal Shower Invitation Design
Brief: Create a "mimosas" themed invite
For this invitation I illustrated a floral border with citrus fruits and drinks surrounding the text in an arch shaped border.
This illustration is inspired by Manzanita Bay, Oregon.
Client: @cleolonglegs
Brief: Create illustrations to be used for assorted merch in their online store
This drawing is from a set of illustrations I created. I had full creative freedom and came up with this "river monster" idea which the client loved. The designs were printed on shirts, bags, as stickers, and more.
Commissioned Pet Portrait
Client: Target (Vendor)
Brief: Create artwork for a girly-themed tumbler glass sticker set
I illustrated and created a photo collage of flowers, butterflies, a cat, magic 8 ball, and various other motifs. The final kit was produced and manufactured exclusively for Target under the Mondo Llama line.
Commissioned Pet Portrait