Odd Flower with Katie Vernon
July is here and summer is in full swing and we are so excited to get back to our monthly exhibitions of showcasing local artists. This month we have Katie Vernon and her colorful show, Odd Flower. We are still adapting to all the ongoing changes life these days presents and taking the time to take in the beauty that exists around us and within us. It is good for us to take in the art, make the art and share it.
Odd Flower has been in the works since last year when artist, Katie Vernon and Owner and Curator, Jill Sans met at The HeArt Box. It is exciting to see it all come together, for it to be here. We will be hosting a virtual art opening on Facebook Live, Friday, July 3rd at 6pm PST. We hope you can join us. The Exhibition will be available to view in person during gallery hours, Thursday - Saturday 1-5pm and by appointment at request. Odd Flower is on display July 3rd - August 1st. We hope you get a chance to take in this breath of fresh air.
Jill Sans took a few moments in June to ask Katie Vernon some questions about her work and this show. Here is Katie’s response.
Tell us a little about who you are, either personal or artistic life.
Katie Vernon
My family and I moved to Flagstaff two years ago from the midwest and have loved exploring the area. By day I am a fulltime illustrator and also by day I find myself painting abstracted florals (by night I am asleep because sleep is important). I come from a few generations of artists and try to support our daughter in her artistic pursuits, although she seems to have inherited her dad’s love of music and drumming. A few things I love: seltzer water, thrifting, and taking our vintage camper out for a few nights.
How does Illustration and Painting differ from you, does one help the other?
Illustration is definitely my job (and I’m so fortunate that I LOVE my job), but painting allows me to have a separate creative outlet that is more personal. In illustration, I am typically working with multiple clients at a time and each project has different criteria that needs to be met. Painting is more meditative because I can focus on the basics of art: color, shape, form, etc. They are equally challenging and rewarding and I think I’m a better artist in both worlds because of them.
How did Odd Flower come about?
It first started because I didn’t know what to paint. So I thought about things I’m pretty good at, and my time as a florist came to mind. So I just started painting big flowers and cutting them out and arranging them like I did as a florist. Then I tried collaging just the petals to create single flowers. Eventually, I found that what I was responding to was combining different organic forms to create abstracted florals. Each “Odd Flower” that I made felt like it had been through some things- it had peeled off and reattached layers, reinvented what it was, and in the end was more odd, more unique, and more beautiful.
What inspires you?
Although it feels cliche to say it- nature is probably my biggest influence. But more specifically, I love going for a walk and seeing the beautiful muted colors of fall grasses and a flourescent yellow or blue sign up against them. Or being out on a drive and seeing a bright orange flower against a grey sidewalk. Those natural/unnatural color combinations are what makes my creative heart skip a beat. Favorite artists include: Helen Frankenthaler, Agnes Martin, Hilma af Klint, Joan Mitchell (basically a lot of lady abstract expressionists!).
Katie Vernon was recently interviewed by Tim Taranto of Flagstaff Live!