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Biography:
Biography: BA Ceramics, studied in Europe, worked in NYC cheese shop, spent time on the 'other side' as a marketer in design firms, started illustrating career in 1996 in Mpls, moved to Portland in 2002 to start a new life, met my next door neighbor who had the same last name, married him a year later, moved to a farm in Oregon with him, bought some sheep, donkeys and a horse, planted a lot of lavender, bowed out of illustration for a year or so to focus on my gallery work, and in 2006, re-emerged as an artist.
Website:
katherinedunn.us
apiferafarm.blogspot.com
How did you get started in the
illustration field?
The short answer: after working in various design related firms in account roles, I was watching Joseph Campbell one night who spoke about the responsibility of each person, especially artists, to fulfill their paths as artists. That very moment, I chose to put everything aside and be a full time artist. Within 3 months, I had quit my job, sold my condo, moved into a teeny 400 sf bungalow, sold my newer car for an old one, etc - Within the month, I had landed some illustration jobs through my contacts in Minneapolis where I then lived, and had a rep within another month. Doors just opened. I don't believe in luck, or signs - I just was on a path that was meant for me at that very moment. |
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How did you find
your style? Has it changed since you started?
I drew and mimicked in my childhood. I get compared to Klee and Chagall [I say that humbly] and they were very early favorites of mine as a child. I think one mimics to a point, and then if you just draw or paint enough, you develop and grow your style that is always innately within you. And it always changes, or you're dead as an artist. SO I don't see it as 'finding' a style, it's peeling off layers of years of ingesting other images one absorbs, rearranging it in one's heart, unconscious, and it comes out distinctly as that individual's artist.
Yes, it has changed, it sometimes changes within the month! Hard to rep I suppose....But I think one can always se my mark on it.
What is your process when working
with clients? Can you run us through a typical job?
Things have changed a bit since 1996 when I started. But now, usually a call from the client or rep with over view of project. Assuming all terms/usage fees and etc are agreed upon, a written contract is signed. I don't start anything without it. I had one bad experience and will never get into that situation again. Then I mull it over, usually a week is given for a round of 'sketches'. But I usually take less time, as I don't work from a really tight 'prepared' sketch. I sometimes discuss what I'm thinking, concept wise,color palette, etc via email with client. Then sometimes they allow me to begin, if they've worked with me. I jump right into it, and sometimes the 'sketch phase" for me is almost finished art. I send an email of the piece, and try to diplomatically suggest I think the piece might be done. 75% of the time it is, but I sometimes tweek color or words, etc. I don't want the client to think I'm being lazy, but I find when I feel good about the piece, it usually is good for them. An FYI - When I started out, I might add, I tried to work with a tighter sketch, and I find some of that early work was really horrible [to my eyes!] and I think I'm just more developed and confident now. |
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What is your creation
process (start with sketches, etc…)?
I like to draw some stuff, usually just on plain paper or scrap paper. Sometimes those initial ideas are scanned into the final, I think because those initial sketches/doodles are so free.
I'm currently into drawing on a variety of tracing papers. Sometimes, I sketch, draw, cut something out I see sitting around [I have boxes at my desk of little teeny scraps of torn papers and etc.] and paste things together crudely with tapes and such. I might do some quick scans if I see something developing. it's hard to describe it step by step. If I'm doing a painting on wood, usually I sit down and just paint layers of color, sketch, wipe it off, add more layers of color, maybe put something down, get rid of it - it can go on like that for a couple of days. Other times, I can be happy right away. |
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How do you market/promote
your work?
Postcards have worked well in past. I like to do really small, targeted mailings of things I make by hand. Labor intensive, and sometimes the bring something, sometimes not.
My rep is really proactive and we have very unique portfolios, lots of one-on-one meetings she does too. I was in Workbook for five years, but don't do it anymore because of cost.
I backed out of award shows about four years ago, but started entering again last year, but only if I'm really happy about an image. My blog is really about my life on the farm, but it seems to create a certain energy of it's own.
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What was one of
your favorite assignments?
I don't really have a favorite, to be honest. I'm just always excited to get work that pays me to paint - really.
What is the best part about what
you do?
Freedom to be who I really am. Freedom, freedom, freedom. |
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Describe your work
setting.
I have about 400sf attached to our main house with huge 14' ceilings and 84" windows that look out to one of our sheep pastures, and my horse's pasture. We live on a farm and looking out at animals, and our farm is a dream come true. My studio is packed to the rim, one small area is where I have large canvases going, i have my computer and scanning stuff in one area, and another area where I paint and draw smaller things. I also have a really long table for making odd things like sewn things.
Do you have side projects you work on?
All the time. A pile of favorite animals to paint. My book I'm slowly writing on our donkeys. I also enjoy writing and sewing really lously little creations. I do a lot of garden projects too. And I like to build things, but they usually fall apart.
How do you maintain balance in
your life between work and play?
I work intensely at whatever my muse is at the moment. Farm work keeps me grounded. I don't know, I'm 48 now, I have a life, I think it's different when I started out and I was single and living in a city. The animals, gardening. We raise sheep and we have lambs to deal with each spring, my two little mini donkeys are becoming ambassadors of happiness for young children and hopefully soon, the handicapped. We have 4500 lavender plants to grow. The farm and art all collide together, but that is my life. I don't really think of it as finding balance anymore. I just live it intensely each day, but by 7pm I'm usually having a glass of Pino - I do think excercise is very important though. And yoga has kept my back and neck healthier - something artist's should watch out for. |
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Do you ever have
creative slumps? What do you do then?
Yes, and I think they are usually a call for me to 'fill the well'. If I'm having a blue funk, I will try to keep painting, or creating - and if it persists, I go for a walk, go work with my horse for 30 minutes, garden. I think sometimes, it's not so much you're not creative, you just need to rest that part of you, and 'fill the well'. I also have to remind myself a lot, that building a farm, renovating a barn, helping sheep lamb each spring - it all takes creative energy. So I try to watch that. Fly fishing is also good for me.
What do you do for
fun/when you're not working?
Farm! |
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What has been inspiring
you lately?
Patterns of the earth's surface. The process of death. Always, animals.
Any advice for others who are
pursuing creative goals?
The waves go in, and then they go out.
Everyone is going to have a million opinions about you, your life, your art, your haircut. It's worthwhile to hear other's experiences I have always felt, but in the end, it's your art and voice. It's a process. You just have to keep doing it.
Thank
you for this interview, Katherine! |
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