We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katie Lowran a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Risk and art. What do they have in common?

I can distinctly recall painting a piece of art that absolutely gutted me. Titled “skin of the grapes” after the firm grape skin that without it, the soft, susceptible insides would be unprotected. Once I finished the piece, I stared at my work, in shock at what I just painted, and sobbed uncontrollably. Then, shame kicked in and I carried the painting to the shower and scalded it with hot water. This was me attempting to cleanse and release shame, as I had painted myself, a young girl…after rape.

Today, there are nine layers of paint underneath “skin of the grapes.” In order to change our culture and create communities that support survivors, it is important to change our behaviors that reinforce shame. So what did I learn through all of this? I learned that taking risks in life and taking risks within your artwork can take many forms. As an artist, every time I share my artwork, with the world, no matter what the subject, I take a risk because I am baring a piece of my soul and holding it out there for others to judge. It’s risky because it’s honest. When patrons fall in love with my art it’s because it makes them feel an openness they’ve been longing to feel. Inherently, this is vulnerability. To be the change I wanted to have to happen in myself, in our culture, and in our communities, I needed to honor my younger self by painting her again, and again, and again; “blue pearl”,” electric blue”, and “moving water.”

Risk makes us all exposed and is essential to art. There are oodles of works of art in the world, but, the most powerful ones have depth, are evocative, and can even be life-changing.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As an acrylic artist, I draw inspiration from my love of people, places, and the natural world. To achieve this, I use a gentle, unhurried process of infusing texture and layers of eye-catching vibrant colors to provide my patrons with an emotional experience in a meaningful way. I prefer to work with acrylic paint due to its smooth and buttery consistency, but I use a variety of mediums to achieve my desired effect.

What sets my art apart is my ability to paint soulful and uninhibited pieces that are filled with passion. I achieve this by losing myself in the creative process and experiencing a state of “flow.” When I listen to music while painting, I can feel the colors and use bright hues to convey positive energy and intense emotions. This rare neurological phenomenon of combining two senses (hearing and touch) is called synesthesia, observed in others such as artist Vincent Van Gogh and novelist Vladimir Nabokov.

These unique traits transpire into an otherworldly connection with my patrons. I have been fortunate to build a prolific portfolio of masterpieces. I offer original works, giclee/prints, and notecards that are enjoyed by art lovers all over the United States. You can learn more about my journey as an artist by watching “Twenty Questions with Artist Katie Lowran” via the video link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ai2v2v1rR8.

I believe that your intuition is your superpower and that a life without passion is a life without color, joy, or meaning.

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

As an artist, nothing compares to the satisfaction of being part of a meaningful and impactful artistic community. Last year, I was thrilled to have my artwork “anticipation of” selected for installation at ArtPrize, a prestigious international art competition that has been running since 2009. In 2022, for the first time ever, ArtPrize expanded its territory and partnered with one of the largest communities in the area, which created a new and inclusive artistic experience for everyone to enjoy. Being able to showcase my art and contribute to inspiring unity and dialogue within the community was truly a fulfilling and rewarding experience.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

Since I was a child, I have always been fascinated by trees and drawn to their energy. Climbing up to the highest branches was a favorite pastime of mine. Even now, I can’t read “The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein without shedding a tear. But what does any of this have to do with my artistic journey? As I got older, I came to recognize that my connection with trees goes beyond what I had known initially. Trees and I share the same goals and dreams; we both want to grow. As a passionate artist, I am constantly striving towards my goals, driven by the irresistible allure of a canvas and the bright colors of my paint. Like a tree, I want to reach for the sky, explore the world around me, persistently pursue my love of painting, and leave my mark on everything I touch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katielowranart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katie_lowran_art/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katie.vincentlowran
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-lowran-145b08a/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ai2v2v1rR8
• Email: [email protected]

Image Credits
Vada Color