We were lucky to catch up with Catherine Richardson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Catherine, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In 2019-2021 I was creating a body of visual work that was to showcase the minerals and elements extracted from our earth that are involved in the building of mobile phones. I collaborated with friend and art colleague, Brooke Hole for our exhibition. It was showcased at The Seager Grey Gallery in Mill Valley California, July 2021, a significant venue. Our artist talk pulled in a large crowd. Brooke and I discovered that 70 elements & minerals are used in the manufacture of our mobile devices, ( also in other energy saving equipment for cars and more). It was a huge and fascinating learning curve for us as we followed this trail across countries of the world. Leading up to the exhibition we spent 3 weeks at an art residency in S. Ireland where we explored an old copper ghost mine. Here we logged more information for the Extraction project.
For the exhibition we married various genres. I made two videos which were projected by a device in the shape of an Iphone.
My collaborator added their conceptual approach together with an educational lean, some take-away cards each with a key; colour-coded to global locations where minerals are extracted. The children enjoyed these. My paintings were of geological terrains layered with plexiglass which had been lazer etched with images of oil rigs and mining camps. We installed a wall of shelves containing “articles of curiosity related to mining these minerals and elements.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I was born and educated in England. My family has been there for many generations. I was the first to move to USA. Here the same language is spoken but it was an entirely different culture for myself at 27. It was an adventure and I was used to relocating around England’s counties. When we moved from the north of England to London I had to learn different ways of speaking and traditions so I had some skills that assisted my adapting to life in California. While I was raising a family on the Pacific coast my college training as a gold and silversmith gave me the ability to work at home and run my jewelry design & manufacturing business.
After 20 years in that industry, I put myself through a fine Art Graduate degree in Berkeley, California and continued where I left off in my early 20s. My graduate show was a pivotal change for me. I used those skills from my past, of adapting to a different environment, this time I chose the location of marshlands and studied it for a year. The resulting work and exhibition won me a notable monetary award. I am most proud of my environmental studies and learning as it results in a visual language and pushes questions about observation and stewardship etc.
In between these projects, I make small to large-scale colourful drawings and paintings that appeal for home decor and larger works for offices and possible collections for corporations. The imagery I focus on, which can be seen on my website is influenced by geology and land structures. My work has greatly benefitted from art residencies; 2 in Iceland, one in S. Ireland and one in Pt Reyes California. All locations are fairly remote which lends much needed support for contemplation and development of new work. I enjoy leading workshops on markmaking and experimenting with materials encouraging participants to investigate details of place and their environment.
Recently I moved to Austin Texas, a vibrant city and friendly community yet very built up over splendid land mass and geology which has a fascinating ancient story of uplift and a sea bed being heaved to the surface. I’m walking on Karst now embedded with fossils of early sea creatures.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Culture, similar to European cultures, it would reinforce the tradition of respecting artists as vibrant and essential contributors to society. This, in turn, would open doors for more affordable spaces within communities, supported by taxes and government funding. In exchange, artists could engage with the community by opening their studios more frequently, offering workshops, and facilitating discussions and interviews. The foundation for this begins at the primary school level, where education in art appreciation, design, and the classics should be embraced in all schools. Humans possess a natural creativity, and if encouraged to explore multiple talents and callings, the possibilities for a more enlightened and unconventional work life could expand beyond current expectations.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most gratifying aspect of being an artist is the way it sharpens my ability to observe and truly see the world around me. Artmaking nurtures a deeper level of observation, instilling in me an openness and curiosity, along with a profound appreciation for the world. I have always been one to follow my intuition, blazing an uncharted trail, and artmaking serves as an ongoing dialogue with that journey. It imparts countless insights about humanity, and the longer I engage in this practice, the more I am driven to share the joy of our fundamental need to express our responses to the environment and the world. Artmaking also presents an opportunity to confront my own weaknesses and challenges, forcing me to address moments when I contemplate giving up, recognizing that such moments are a part of the journey but won’t deter me from pursuing my artistic passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.catherinerichardsonart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinejrich/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cjrstudios/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinerichardsonart/

Image Credits
Kathryn Sewell photographer on first two photos. 3rd image art work by me on an in situ space from Art Placer. the other photos are by myself.