Katrina Abbott
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? Art was something I thought I could not do when I was in grade school! We had a lovely well meaning art teacher who so effortlessly demonstrated drawing a vase of flowers, that I decided I could never be an artist. Despite that belief, I had a block print in the school calendar and won a prize for another art work. I have been involved in crafts including knitting, sewing, basket making and others as long as I can remember.
When did art become a pursuit? When our boy/girl twins were about 4 years old and started nursery school, I started painting at a wonderful place in Union Square call the School of Painting. Since then I have worked in printing, encaustic and ceramics. I hope to have work in 1-2 juried art shows a year. In addition, I usually participate in 2-3 craft shows a year with my 90 year old mom, who does collage.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? I have taken workshops in a variety of mediums, but have never been to art school. My BA in Environmental Studies and masters in marine botany informs much of my work.
Loosing Habitat, acrylic on canvas
How did you first become involved with CAA? I live in Cambridge and have become an artist and decided it made sense to join such a lively organization. I was accepted as an artist into CAA a few years ago.
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? Since I painted in Somerville for many years, I participated in Somerville Open studios. Then I decided since I was living in Cambridge,to be a part of Cambridge Open Studios and have done so for 5-6 years. I am currently doing ceramics at the Maud Morgan Arts in Cambridge.
What role do you think the artist plays in society? Artists play many roles in society from creating beautiful things to reflecting our world back to us from her/his perspective. Another role, which I tend towards, is to inform the viewer of concerns I have in the world. More and more of my work reflects my concern with climate change. I hope when someone looks at my work, they stop for a moment to consider their role in being a good steward of the Earth.
The Big Crack: Antarctica Melting, encaustic on panel
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? As I mentioned above, I work in a number of different media- paint, print encaustic and ceramics. I enjoy all of them and work to combine them such as a ceramic base with encaustic wax or a print in a mixed media encaustic piece.
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? I find art around me in nature. I enjoy painting frogs, who are an indicator species for pollution and habitat loss. The loss of Antarctica and the rise of sea level, two larger concepts are ideas that I am currently interested in and concerned about.
What is one of your artistic goals? I enjoy making art and a goal of mine is to take the next step ( leap!) and figure out how to sell my art.
Lost When Sea Level Rises, earthenware and glaze
Do you have any shows coming up? I am currently in “Red” at CAA. I am also in a members show at the Cambridge Boat Club which I organized and hung.
See More Katrina!
Website: katrinasabbott.com