ABOUT
Hi, i'm Kate, a mixed-media, abstract artist and pleasure seeker with a love of making people and places feel more joyful through colour, shapes, textures and patterns...
My Inspirations...
The art I make is inspired by happy, human moments and the lovely feelings they bring us; being with loved ones, having fun, dancing, laughing, hugging, talking, connecting. The beauty of togetherness, belonging, freedom and fun.
Many of my artworks are inspired by my experiences of clubbing and festivals—dancing the night away with beloved friends and strangers alike (Check out my Club Collection)—but also by quieter moments, like watching my children lost in play (probably not that quiet tbh!) or having a cup of tea and a funny chat with my mum. If it makes me feel good, I paint that wonderful feeling!
My Influences...
I live and work from my home studio in Bristol, a city i absolutely love for its art and music culture. The city is FULL of excellent street art and galleries and it hosts Upfest, Europes largest mural festival which I painted live at this year, so fun!
I am strongly influenced by the energy of street art and graffiti in and around the city and am a member of the women led Bristol Mural Collective who meet monthly to paint walls in the city. I am also influenced by the bold colour and graphic patterns of the Memphis Art Movement.
My style...
Thanks to a mega cool phenomenon called Synesthesia, I can ‘see’ emotions as colours and shapes (its true!) and have a really strong desire to express what I can see and feel through vibrant colours, bold, graphic shapes and big, brushy marks and textures - my very own visual language of joy!
My Process...
I'm the kind of person who gets bored quite easily. But I'm also the kind of person who gets excited quite easily! This means I find it impossible to stick to using one medium or technique, its too boring and i'm too excited to try the next thing. I am therefore what's known as a 'mixed-media artist' - which just means I want to use/do EVERYTHING!
The 'process" of creating has become really important to me, more so than the final outcome. My preferred way to work is to not plan anything ahead, just get some tunes on my little Roberts radio, look at my paints and pick some juicy colours that speak to me, then start making some expressive marks and textures. This early stage is very playful and free and I use my 'does it feel good?' intuition to inform the colours I use and the marks I make. After this I slow down and make more considered decisions so that the piece can evolve into a multilayered yet balanced composition.
My Favourite Project...
Bristol is a hub for music and dance and I was lucky enough to be commissioned (three times!) by the Bristol DJ and music producer Eats Everything to create giant artworks inspired by Bristols club scene for his record label Edible Records. The brief was a dream for me - it simply had to be big, colourful and full of party vibes!
How It All Began...
I’ve always enjoyed all things creative and many moons ago I followed that passion to earn a BA Hons degree in fashion and textiles. For my final show I made neon rubber trousers (yes the neon love has been with me lonnng time) transparent plastic satchels and knitted a tank top out of cling film—don’t ask! Or do, I don't mind haha.
After traveling widely in my 20s, I went on to teach art and textiles in secondary schools while raising my three sons. It was a busy time, leaving little room for making art of my own. Now that my boys are older, I gave up teaching a few years ago to pursue my dream of becoming a full-time artist.
During the pandemic lockdown, I embraced experimentation, exploring all sorts of materials and techniques with no expectations for a ‘nice, finished outcome.’ Out of that creative mess came the vibrant colours, bold shapes, and expressive marks that felt right, and I discovered a style that makes my heart sing!
What Else....
Since then I have exhibited in several venues across the city including 3 solo shows, taken part in group exhibitions, charity events, paint jams and paint festivals, painted numerous Commissions, created beautiful, affordable Fine Art Prints, painted Murals inside houses and on outside walls, painted a camper van and even painted a life sized unicorn for the Bristol sculpture trail. I'll paint anything! I just love it!
Creating my colourful artworks makes me very happy and I hope they bring you joy too, whether it be in your home or out on the streets. Please visit the menu at the top of this page to explore how i can bring joyful colour into your life, or you can check out my Portfolio. And please don't hesitate to get in Contact to discuss your colourful needs!
Kate xx
