We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathryn Blommel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathryn below.

Kathryn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I never experienced a specific “ah-ha” moment that influenced my decision to pursue art. Interestingly, I discovered my passion for art during the pandemic. In 2020, at the very beginning of the pandemic, I was a junior in high school when my school canceled classes for two weeks. During that time, I asked my parents to take me to an art store to buy some supplies to keep myself occupied. I walked out with a sketchbook, pencils, kneaded erasers, and oil pastels. Without a desk in my room, I transformed my bedroom floor into my workspace. Every day, I spent hours drawing—mainly portraits and doodles.

In my senior year of high school, I took AP Art. This class was incredibly important to me, especially at a time when I was contemplating my future. When it came time to apply for colleges, there was no question about it—I was going to study art.

Kathryn, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a visual artist based in Minneapolis, MN, primarily working in charcoal and graphite to create surreal, emotionally charged compositions that focus on the female form within vast, often disorienting landscapes. My artwork explores the complex interplay between internal emotions and external environments, featuring recurring motifs such as lifeless trees and still figures that symbolize memory, identity, and intergenerational trauma.

Trees are central symbols in my work; often rendered bare, fragmented, or reflected, they serve as visual metaphors for lineage and loss. These trees frequently entangle the figure, anchoring it within an atmospheric and unpredictable landscape. In my art, trees represent a means of exploring themes of intergenerational trauma, sexual violence, and the challenges of feminine adolescence. My work engages with ideas of concealment and distortion, highlighting how memory—especially traumatic memory—can both reveal and obscure truths.

In 2025, I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. I have showcased my work at venues such as the Katherine E. Nash Gallery, Gamut Gallery, Burl Gallery, Soo Visual Arts Center, and the Quarter Gallery at the University of Minnesota. My work has also appeared in journals including the Yale Journal of Art and Art History, The Harvard Undergraduate Art Journal, and See/Saw at the University of California, Berkeley. Additionally, my artistic practice has been supported through grants and scholarships from organizations such as the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the New York Academy of Art, the Central Minnesota Arts Board, and the University of Minnesota.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Art has been an incredible resource for me to make sense of life and everything that happens throughout it. When I start a drawing or a painting, I leave behind the chaos of everyday life and focus on one thing only. In that moment, nothing else matters but what is in front of me. There is no such thing as a “non-creative” person; everyone can pick up a pencil or brush and create something. It doesn’t matter if it’s an abstract shape or a realistic portrait; all that matters is that you made something. Art is incredibly accessible, and I encourage everyone to engage with it, whether that means visiting a museum, starting a new painting, or drawing in a coloring book.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I want to create art for the rest of my life. To me, creative success and accomplishment mean producing work that I am proud of as the artist. My goal is to make art that resonates with me personally, rather than conforming my creative practice to cater to a specific audience or market. I will focus on creating work that reflects my experiences, and that, in my opinion, defines a successful artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kathrynblommel.wixsite.com/kathrynblommel
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathrynblommelart