Katie Redfield
Artist Statement:
Katie grew up on a ranch south of Livingston, Montana. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts and a Minor in Creative Writing from the University of Montana-Western in 2011. After exploring different interests she recently circled back to her roots to the family ranch where her Dad graciously moved his chainsaws so she could wire in a kiln in his shop. She combines both of her passions by doing art when it rains or snows and ranching when the sun shines.
On Creating:
My first love in art was drawing and painting. When I began doing ceramics in college I realized with a start that I absolutely loved the engaging nature of the clay. However, I didn't want my 3-D pieces to drift completely away from my passion for the 2-D image. To combine both worlds, I began carving on the surface of my pots, drawing and sculpting on the clay. I create more depth in the image by using my painting background and adding color. The images I choose are all an extension of my ranching occupation and my addiction to fresh air. The carving, glaze color, and shapes of the pieces are all directly influenced by the things I touch and am surrounded by every day.
Clay as an art form is something I feel lends itself immediately to touch. Just as important as the visual aesthetic of the piece is creating the desire to pick up a mug or bowl to see what it feels like. The textures, weight, and dynamics of a rim, handle, or lid that I implement are all related to creating a tactile experience and a personal relationship between a person's hands and a pot. I want someone to pick up a piece and not want to put it down again. I aim to have a piece become someone's favorite dish that they are sad to put in the dishwasher. The process is more than just making something; it has to be something someone feels was made just for them.
Katie grew up on a ranch south of Livingston, Montana. She received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Visual Arts and a Minor in Creative Writing from the University of Montana-Western in 2011. After exploring different interests she recently circled back to her roots to the family ranch where her Dad graciously moved his chainsaws so she could wire in a kiln in his shop. She combines both of her passions by doing art when it rains or snows and ranching when the sun shines.
On Creating:
My first love in art was drawing and painting. When I began doing ceramics in college I realized with a start that I absolutely loved the engaging nature of the clay. However, I didn't want my 3-D pieces to drift completely away from my passion for the 2-D image. To combine both worlds, I began carving on the surface of my pots, drawing and sculpting on the clay. I create more depth in the image by using my painting background and adding color. The images I choose are all an extension of my ranching occupation and my addiction to fresh air. The carving, glaze color, and shapes of the pieces are all directly influenced by the things I touch and am surrounded by every day.
Clay as an art form is something I feel lends itself immediately to touch. Just as important as the visual aesthetic of the piece is creating the desire to pick up a mug or bowl to see what it feels like. The textures, weight, and dynamics of a rim, handle, or lid that I implement are all related to creating a tactile experience and a personal relationship between a person's hands and a pot. I want someone to pick up a piece and not want to put it down again. I aim to have a piece become someone's favorite dish that they are sad to put in the dishwasher. The process is more than just making something; it has to be something someone feels was made just for them.