Reflection: Junior Thesis Show
Yesterday, May 1, truly was one of my proudest moments as an artist. I had the beautiful opportunity to speak in front of a large group of people about a collection of work that means the world to me. I want to give ten thousand kisses and thanks to all who have shown me so much love and support -- whether you came to the show last night and listened to me talk, whether you've shared sweet words about my work or my words have made you feel something, or you've encouraged me to keep doin' what I do -- without all that, I probably wouldn't have the energy to stay up into the wee hours of the night working. After all, what's the point of art if it doesn't make the viewer feel something? The end of my junior thesis has left me in a melancholic and bittersweet state, but it isn't a culmination, it's just the beginning and I'm excited to see how my senior thesis stems from this. Again, xoxo to all of you humans who have been so supportive of my work. I can only hope I've given back to you, even if in the teeniest way.
Cheers,
Kate
Award: Worst Blogger in the History of Blogging
I'll try to do better! I swear!
(Actually, maybe... habits take a while to change and I can't seem to get on board with this blogging thing)
I've got a lot on my plate with getting everything made/put together for my upcoming junior thesis show on May 1. Definitely a workaholic, definitely forget to eat sometimes, definitely have more coffee than blood in my body, but I'm making work that's moving in a new direction that I'm very excited about. The lettering content is focused on encouragement because SO MANY people need teeny pick-me-ups every day and if that's something I can bring to people, my job is done. As with new directions, my work is moving towards simple lettering but more detailed patterning influenced by Japanese textile and the whimsical qualities of the Art Nouveau movement. Trying to break some rules like Ed Fella did with his making graphic design more artistic. Maintaining my quirky/whimsical qualities and colors because that's so "me" and I don't want to move away from that. Anyways, It's exciting seeing my show come together and I'm sure I'll become even more of a crazy person as it gets nearer, but I've got buddies looking out for me to make sure I eat and socialize at times.
Cheers,
Kate
Finding Balance & Adventure.
Well... shoot dang and holy cow! It's been absolutely insane balancing between my lettering projects, being a full time student, working, and maintaining proper social/health necessities. Somehow I'm making it all work, but sometimes I can't help but wish I was done with school so I could move forward with my lettering. Really just taking it a day at a time, letting things fall into place, and hoping that I don't keel over (thought I would have last week with spending 45+ hours in the sculpture studio, but somehow pulled through).
A couple weeks ago, I received an invitation to go hiking in Colorado for a few days. Now, at first I thought there was no way that I could go with all of my responsibilities. But I decided that a healthy dose of spontaneity and adventure wouldn't be bad. As I climbed up a mountain, I realized how often we get settled into our repeated, mundane schedules. Sometimes it's important to leave for a few days and hike a mountain because an occasional escape into adventure is something that's going to help find balance amongst responsibilities and stress.
Cheers (and healthy bouts of adventure),
Kate
New Beginnings.
After leaving Minneapolis College of Art & Design and transferring to Hastings College in January 2014, I was stuck in a schlump. Not going to lie, I spent many hours stressing that I'd made a mistake, and I was frustrated with myself for making work that I wasn't happy with. One of my biggest fears about leaving MCAD was that I'd fall behind on my design skills as compared to my art peers. There is probably truth to that, but I reached an understanding that not being at an art based school would allow me to focus on personal work and self teaching. After finally figuring that out at the end of the semester, I spent a second summer working at Camp Fontanelle (a Christian summer camp near Fremont, NE) where I was able to refocus on important things and realized what I wanted.
With that, August 2014 brought me a fresh and exciting start:
- KATEWORKS was launched as a brand (and as a Facebook page that reached over 100 likes in three hours).
- I remade my website into this lovely thing.
- I realized that I want the direction of my work to go more towards lettering and illustration, rather than graphic design.
- I developed a list full of ideas for future projects and products over the next couple of months.
I'm starting off my junior year ready to make a lot of (hopefully) good work, while balancing as a full time student. I'm ready to go though, and I'm super pumped about what the next couple of months are going to bring with KATEWORKS.
Cheers,
Kate