HI. MY NAME IS KATIE

Background

 
 

I am a self-taught painter with an atypical approach. A little too analytical to fit in the creative camp and too creative to fit in with the analyst crew. I fit somewhere in between. I think of creating as more than just putting brush to canvas. DISCOVERY and EXPLORATION are as much a part of my work as paint and brush. The result is a process that builds on experience, both successes and failures.

We moved all over the place when I was a kid. As a result of my constantly changing environment, I learned some truly invaluable skills: How to SCAVENGE for what I needed, SUBSTITUTE for what I lacked, how to quickly build lasting CONNECTIONS with people and places, and so much more.

The mentality of “MAKE SOMETHING WORK” heavily informs my work. I do not limit myself to traditional methods, tools, or materials as long as the archival quality of the work is not compromised. The FREEDOM to stray from the norm and the expectations of yourself and others is EXHILARATING and MOTIVATING. You never know what discovery is right around the corner.

 

Inspiration

 
 

CONTRAST

I seek out STARK contrast and DELICATE blends within the forms and the work as a whole. It is incredible to me how different a color can look depending on what it is placed next to. Finding the right placement for your elements can take you from BLAND to BLAM, just like that!

BALANCE

The placement of the elements in my works is a lot of TRIAL and ERROR. I do not balance my work based on a formula or some random computer-generated pattern. Sometimes it is as simple as me closing my eyes and “free-drawing shapes” other times it is pen and paper, I’ve even recently used Microsoft Paint to get the layout right. I’ll use whatever it takes to achieve the balance only my subconscious could describe. I don’t know WHAT “IT” IS, but I definitely know WHAT “IT” ISN’T.

CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT

I strive for perfection, or at least as perfect as one can be. It is my goal to hand-paint works that look precise enough to pass for digital. Sometimes the improvement between works is enough for me to not want to show the old ones! But that is all part of the process. If I am not LEARNING and/or IMPROVING with each new work, I am failing.

To accomplish this I began documenting everything. Could be something as simple as noting successful blends, building color schedules, reviewing paint types, the weather… literally anything. There is a very boring saying out there, but it is so true, “WHAT IS MEASURED IS MANAGED.” Documenting everything is crazy helpful in keeping me organized and aware.

 

Mindset

 
 

ENTHUSIASTIC

Even on the dreadfully tedious days, I am always EXCITED to get to work. The reward of a task accomplished and being one step closer to seeing my final vision play out is enough to keep me “CHAMPING AT THE BIT.” Besides, I think you produce better work when you are happy to be there. I am not always successful, but I try to apply this attitude to as many areas of my life as I can. In general, it makes things easier, or at the very least more bearable!

OPEN-MINDED

Just because my original vision was good in my opinion, doesn’t mean it’s final. Allowing my vision to CHANGE and ADAPT in order to achieve a quality design is critical. TRY SOMETHING NEW. I am not married to what I thought it was going to be, instead, I am married to making it the best version of my vision. IMPROVISE - sometimes my best work comes by way of a seriously huge accident. If I wreck it, I roll with it, or I simply start over.

AUTONOMOUS

I enjoy autonomy; being able to create INDEPENDENTLY without fear. I allow myself failures. I paint what I paint because I want to. I do not stifle creativity because I fear of people’s reaction. My creative motto is "Give it everything you’ve got and expect nothing in return”. Abandoning the need for approval is LIBERATING!

COMMITTED

If, ten years ago, I had known how absolutely imperative practice is, I would be light years ahead of where I am now. Everyone just laughs off the “PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT” slogan, but my God, it is literally the key to everything. Here I was thinking you had to have some natural-born talent to make art that satisfied. I was so wrong! If you want something bad enough, SHOW UP and put everything you have into it. Set deadlines and goals for yourself, practice daily, whatever you do, do not give up.

When you FAIL, get back up, every single time.

When you SUCCEED, get over yourself and keep going.

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