2021

I reemerged in 2021 with almost daily painting and a desire to be vulnerable. Here I am showing up everyday.

COMMISSION: COMPLEXITIES OF PARENTING

Finding Beauty in the Chaos, Blinded by their Love, Curtain Between Phases
Acrylic on cradled gesso board, 24” x 36” x 1-1/2”

Commission for living space in a home residence. This series was created to reflect the complexities of parenting, the contrasting emotions and desires, the chaos and the joy, but to also above all communicate a sense of calm as a reminder to breath through the tough moments. When viewed at a micro level there is complex, layered texture, and when viewed from a distance the softer colors take over. Color palette was inspired by a foggy beach scene and tumbled rocks.

Calm in the Storm, Emotional Duality
Acrylic on cradled gesso board, 24” x 36” x 1-1/2”

COMMISSION: GOOD THINGS ARE COMING MY WAY

Good Things Are Coming My Way
Acrylic, pastel, graphite, and charcoal on raw canvas, 46” x 36” x 1-1/4”

Commission for home residence.

connecting loose ends

She Keeps on Giving
Acrylic, pastel, graphite, and charcoal on raw canvas, 20” x 30” x 1-1/4”

This work was created over three years time. It started with the title “She’d Dying” which then became” She’s Alive” and is not “She Keeps on Giving”. It has been an evolution of my though with regard to mother earth, climate change, and human consumption. I have evolved my thinking on the subjects, and while the reality is dim, the silver lining is that she does indeed keep on giving, and she will continue to do so until there is nothing left.

Soul Crib
Acrylic, latex, pastel, charcoal, and graphite on recycled canvas, 46” x 36” x 1-1/2”

This painting was an experiment on experiment on experiment. It started with painting on recycled (printed) canvas, which came with new challenges, and caused an interesting reaction with more liquid pigments. It later morphed into a complete letting go, and then added restraint with the white frame, although this was still done expediently with no measuring. The final marks breaking the frame were still impulsive, and less calculated than most final marks.

Meditation Filter
Acrylic, pastel, and charcoal on raw canvas, 30” x 20” x 1-1/4”

This work was created to illustrate how helpful meditation can be, specifically for clearing the mind to recognize and act only on what matters.

Enchanted Meadow Dream
Acrylic, graphite and charcoal on maple wood panel, 16” x 20” x 1/4”

Dreaming of the Enchanted Meadow (scroll below to see series and reference).

Dance It Out (study)
Acrylic and pumice on stretched canvas, 20” x 30” x 1-1/4”

water connections

Resting in the Sun
Acrylic, pumice, pastel, and charcoal on maple wood panel, 24” x 18” x1/4”

Mantra: It is ok for me to rest.

Light on Water 6, Collecting Beach Memories
Acrylic and pumice on maple gesso board 5” x 7” x 1/8” – and wood panel 5” x 5” x 1/4”

expanded comfort zone

Expanded Comfort Zone
Acrylic on raw blue canvas, 16” x 20” x 1-1/4”

This Magical Life 2
Acrylic and pastel on canvas, 46” x 36” x 1-1/4”

This painting was created from a place of pure positive energy while thinking about the magic of life.

SOUL FOOD, PART 2

Thank you, Frankie, for the serendipitous opportunity to create art for First Generation, a cookbook to be released late 2022. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this creative and culturally rich project, and eagerly await the book release! 

Part 2 was completed on curated linen selected by Frankie. While there is still a sense of freedom to this body of work, it was intended to be simpler, with less coverage so as to let the textile show behind the paint, and to allow the fabric to be draped during the food photography. All pieces are acrylic on raw linen.

These works were inspired by a conversation between myself and Frankie about leaving corporate jobs behind in favor of soulful pursuits. Through our dialogue it became clear life is more serendipitous when one is in pursuit of their soul’s calling.

Scroll down to see Part 1 on 16x20 boards.

Above images by Frankie Gaw

Soul Food: Blue 1
Acrylic on raw linen

Soul Food: Blue 2
Acrylic on raw linen

Soul Food: Clay 2
Acrylic on raw linen

Soul Food: Clay 1
Acrylic on raw linen

Soul Food: Green 1
Acrylic on raw linen

alive in all

Some things in life are hard, beautifully hard. The only way out of these phases is through, then we reemerge changed. Looking back the struggle often creates something beautiful. This series has been created in response to a late pregnancy loss. Through my grief I am surfacing as a changed person. The act of birthing death reconnecting me to my soul in a way I have never experienced which led me to the knowing that I am meant to paint, meant to create art, meant to communicate divine messages through color and form. The overarching theme of this series is soul energy. The concept that we are all one, that at death the body is gone and the energy lives on, the realization that life, in all of its emotions is a gift.

We many loose the physical parts of those we love, but their spirit lives on in all.

My heart goes out to anyone experiencing loss of any kind, and I hope this series can provide a sense of peace, reminding you (if you believe) their energy lives on.

Spontaneous Conception
Acrylic on hand stretched canvas, 38” x 22” x 1-1/4”

This work was created based on the concept of when a soul is forged into a physical body.

Freedom Dance of Joy
Acrylic, latex, charcoal, graphite, and pastel on hand stretched canvas, 20” x 30” x 1-1/4”

This work was born as the work underneath died. It was created without compositional thought but fully from a place of joy, channeling the happiness I feel when painting and the gratitude I have to be able to paint.

Flower of Life
Acrylic, latex, and graphite on hand stretched canvas, 28” x 30” x 1-1/4”

This work was created to celebrate our differences while recognizing we are all made of the same source energy.

Golden Chance
Acrylic, watercolor pencil, and graphite, on hand stretched and sewn canvas, 50” x 34” x 1-1/4”

We are all connecting by a divine system we do not yet understand. Inspired by the golden section, but I did not mathematically follow it, just intuitively ripped canvas, painted, and sewed.

Red Wing Black Bird
Acrylic and pastel on hand stretched canvas, 24” x 24” x 1-1/4”

This work was inspired a color I chose to represent the energy of my daughter. I now see her in the red wing black birds that visit our feeder, when the sun is at just the right place on the horizon, when a leaf moves on from green, to orange and red. That color reminds me she is still out there.

Flow with the River
Acrylic, charcoal, graphite, and pastel on hand stretched canvas | 20” x 30” x 1-1/4”

This work was inspired by the sage advice to live with the flow of life, to let yourself flow in the current while accepting both the good graces and challenges that arise, to avoid swimming upstream, or to avoid hurrying down stream, to savor what is and be open to what comes next. Note: My son (2 yr) assisted with the cyan underpainting. The tiny yellow mark represents positive energy working its way to you.

Series in progress

enchanted meadow

Enchanted Meadow was created out of the joyous interactions with my son. His innocent, kind, imaginative soul is an inspiration. Before he goes to sleep we tell a story about an Enchanted Forest that begins in a Meadow. This tradition was created by my father. All things are possible in this meadow, where Evan, his dog, and his animal tribe decide their intention for the day’s adventure and set out to experience it, live it, feel it. Sometimes they fly with butterflies, other times they build a farm and plant magic seeds. Sometimes they pick apples and take a nap. 

It is my hope with this series that all can be reminded of their innocent youth. To remember that in their innocence there is a desire to believe in magic and break free from restriction. It is my hope that you will connect to the concept of community, diversity, and infinite possibility; that you will remember we are all one joyous light. 

I want to remind you that I create art from a place of joy. Current events are not lost on me, but I choose to focus my energy on what my intuition says the world consciousness needs to feel. I’d rather not dwell and focus on all that is bad when there is so much room for growth and light. When we are reminded of our connection to each other, this energy spreads and inspires. I believe eventually this expansion will lead to a point of change.

Frenetic Joy
Acrylic, pastel, and charcoal on gesso board, 16” x 20”

Choose what brings you joy and let joy flow through you.

Enchanted Meadow 1, 2 ,5
Mixed media on tinted 100% cotton paper, Varies, ~12” x 18”

Hot Spring Day
Mixed media on toned 100% cotton paper, 12.5” x 19”

When life delivers unexpected opportunity for joy, milk every second of it.

Let it Float
Mixed media on toned 100% cotton paper, 12.5” x 19”

Let It Float. Let go of the need to control. Let go of the forces you can not control. Choose to float through the chaos.

When You Hug Me
Mixed media on found matte board, 8 3/8” x 11”

The Only Way Out is Through
Acrylic, pastel, graphite, and charcoal on stretched canvas, 48” x 36”

Some things in life are hard, beautifully hard. The only way out of these phases is through, and we reemerge changed. Looking back the struggle often creates something beautiful. This moment is all we have.

Collecting Pinecones
Mixed media on cradled gesso board, 16” x 20”

Embrace the child within you. Look at life with an innocent lens. Be open to the beauty all around you. Also, did you know the spiral pattern of a pine cone is called the flower of life, and its vortex has been admired for centuries? Fascinating.

Treehouse 1, 2, 3, 4
Mixed media on cradled maple, 10” x 10”

Soul food, part 1

Thank you, Frankie, for the serendipitous opportunity to create art for First Generation, a cookbook to be released late 2022. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this creative and culturally rich project, and eagerly await the book release! 

These works were inspired by a conversation between myself and Frankie about leaving corporate jobs behind in favor of soulful pursuits. Through our dialogue it became clear life is more serendipitous when one is in pursuit of their soul’s calling. It is my intention for the series to first compliment his cuisine, and second, express an unrestrained freedom that comes with releasing societies definition of success and replacing it with your own. All works are mixed media on 16x20 boards to be used as a part of his food photography. 

Brief backstory. I coached Frankie way back in 2006, and to think fifteen (!!) years later we would come together in an entirely new realm to help each other pursue our passion is fascinating. It all starts by being  vulnerable enough to pursue our passions, but also vulnerable enough to share them. The internet and social media is also to thank, for otherwise I don’t think we would have reconnected. I do believe social media is a double edge sword and it’s easy to fall on the wrong side. With frequent breaks, set daily use, and curated followers, it can be a beautiful tool for connection. 

See above for two of this commission on curated textiles. 

Jungle Fever
Acrylic and pumice on gessoed hard board, 16” x 20”

Painted while thinking about heat, energy, nature, joy, community, intensity, drive, and presence in the moment.

Jungle Fever Test Marks
Acrylic, pumice, and pastel on recycled Crescent board, 16” x 20”

Created alongside Jungle Fever, but with no restraint, no premeditation, just pressing forward.

A Better Place
Acrylic, pumice, gesso, and watercolor pencil on gesso board, 16” x 20”

A representation of the calm and clarity that washes over you when you know you are on the right path.

We’re Here for You
Acrylic, pumice, and pastel on gesso board, 16” x 20”

Painted while thinking about how we all have a soul tribe working to guide us in the right direction, working to bring joy and greatness into our lives, working to create serendipitous opportunities for the taking.

Pacific Freedom
Acrylic, pumice, and graphite on gesso board, 16” x 20”

Looking out over the pacific coast immediately connects I to me, Katie Kratzer to her soul. I feel washed with freedom, infinite ideas, and boundless opportunity.

Frenetic with Opportunity
Acrylic and pumice on gesso board, 16” x 20”

Channeling the fervent energy surrounding the excitement I have at pursuing my passion to paint.

Lets Do This
Acrylic and latex on recycled matte board, 14” x 20”

Test and warm up marks while making series.

Lets Do This 2
Acrylic and latex on recycled matte board, 16.5” x 17.5”

Test and warm up marks while making series.

Frenetic test marks
Acrylic, pastel, charcoal, and watercolor pencil on recycled matte board, 12” x 20”

Test and warm up marks while making series.