We recently connected with Kate Mayer and have shared our conversation below.
Kate, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My Mum! I grew up as the eldest of three kids with a single mum. I watched her overcome so many hardships and obstacles, she just kept getting up and getting on with it. There was nothing she wouldn’t have a go at, and I was usually by her side helping and learning. I watched her tile the bathroom, landscape the garden, lay a patio… all whilst working full time as a nurse and running a house. Thanks Mum, I love you!
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Hi, I’m Kate, an abstract artist based in the depths of East London, UK. I’m relatively new to the art scene having spent most of my career as a designer.
I believe in manifesting positive change through thoughts and intentions, and I’m super conscious of the impact of our environment on our subconscious. The art I create seeks to change the energy of spaces, to lift and inspire the viewer to reach higher and further than they imagine possible. I’m currently in a phase of exploration, allowing myself time to play and discover – something I strongly believe in as the gateway to creative connection, we should all play more and worry less!
I also work with others to help them to find their own way to experience creative expression through workshops or 1-2-1 co-creation commissions. My commission process involves working with the client to go deep into their needs and desires, which I then translate into a piece of art that transports them energetically to that very place. It’s like an abstract vision board that they can hang in full view and focus on whenever they want to feel good.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Hands down, the most impactful thing for me has been self-belief, whenever I have had deep down belief that I can or can’t do something, it always comes true. I have manifested things that in retrospect are quite incredible.
Second, Resourcefulness. I have always managed to find a way to do something, whether it’s finding an opportunity, or a different way of approaching my work. The path is rarely a straight road so being able to roll with that is a great asset.
Third: Resilience. In the creative world, there’s a huge propensity for imposter syndrome to sneak in, there is always going to be strong competition and opinions about our work. Being able to overcome the setbacks, hold your head high and keep going is so important, also loops back into the need for self-belief.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
My word for 2024 is Collaboration! I believe we are often stronger together and there is huge scope for new ideas and movements to come though sharing of ideas and practices. This year I would love to find other artists to form a co-operative and put group shows on together. I would also love to create a wellbeing experience that incorporates art and beyond… I’m open to all suggestions for how that could look.
On another note, my other joy in life is singing. I have a concept for helping others to experience that joy in an artful way and I would love to collaborate with artists working with light and sound to create an installation piece.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.katemayerart.com
- Instagram: katemayerlondon
- Facebook: katemayerlondon
