Meet Katherine Garratt

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katherine Garratt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katherine , so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.

I grew up in Toronto, Canada and I remember that from a very early age I loved to draw and paint. When I was fourteen years old, I attended Thornton Hall a private high school in Toronto where I received a classical art education.

My art teacher taught us how to paint reproductions of master artist works by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Rembrandt, Durer, Vermeer, and many others. I was very inspired by these instructions at Thornton Hall.

After high school, I attended York University in Toronto where I completed my Honours BFA in Visual Art. My education at York University was completely different from my classical training at Thornton Hall.

Hugh Leroy, my favorite teacher at York University, taught us how to approach art from a very different point of view. In his classes, we were instructed to read “Man And His Symbols” edited, with an introduction by Carl G. Jung. This book was inspirational. I learned about the collective unconscious and how to work intuitively.

It wasn’t long before I developed my own style of painting and at the end of the four years at York University, I was invited to have a solo exhibition at Founders Gallery on campus. This was very exciting for me and my solo exhibition “Out Of The Cradle Endlessly Rocking.” was very well received.

After University, I continued to pursue a career in art and now I am a full-time contemporary visual artist represented by Nomad Gallery in White Rock, BC, Canada.

I continue to keep my creativity alive by focusing on what is most inspirational to me in my work. I am inspired by world wide myths, legends, and folklore describing a time when earth existed in a state of paradise.

Many cultures describe a mythological land where human beings are immortal and live peacefully with nature. In my paintings, I create an imaginary paradisiacal realm where a mutualistic relationship exists between human life and nature rather than a competitive one.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

For many years, I have had the opportunity to exhibit my acrylic paintings in solo and group exhibitions in Canada and the United States.

I am a full-time contemporary visual artist living and working in White Rock, BC, Canada. In 2016, I exhibited “Mythos” a solo exhibition at Artemis Gallery in Deep Cove, North Vancouver. From April 13th -May 4th of this year, I exhibited “The Golden Age” a solo exhibition at Nomad Gallery in White Rock, BC.

I am currently working on a new series “Our Mother Earth” that draws inspiration from the world wide myth of Mother Earth. I am primarily concerned about climate change on our planet and how it is affecting the earth in dramatic ways.

I believe that human beings should take care of the planet in an appropriate way. I think that we should be more respectful of nature and make sure that we protect the many different species on earth.

In my paintings, my intention is to express an amicable relationship between human beings and nature.

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?

My artistic journey began with my art education that has helped me tremendously. It is the foundation of my work today. I would also say that I am inspired to complete the work because I love to paint. Also, I have the perseverance to continue on this path because I believe that art is important in my life.

For anyone who is hoping to become an artist, it is so important to realize that it is not an easy journey. There are many obstacles to overcome and one has to deeply love the act of making art in order to become successful.

Do you think it’s better to go all in on our strengths or to try to be more well-rounded by investing effort on improving areas you aren’t as strong in?

I think it is important to acknowledge what our strengths are and to continue to develop these strengths. If you are interested in an artistic career and you discover that you have a talent in that field, then it is important to pursue it with diligence.

Any field that we choose will have its obstacles, but it will also bear fruit as well. If we pursue it wholeheartedly, then we will have a better chance of succeeding.

I haven’t always been able to support myself solely with my artistic practice. I have had to make money in other ways to support myself at times, but I have never given up on my dream to make art and to have others appreciate it.

Believing in yourself is so important for a successful art career. If you love to make art, then find a way to continue to create the work and that’s all that matters.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katherinegarratt.com
• Instagram: @katherinegarratt

Image Credits

Katherine Garratt