We recently connected with Katie March and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Katie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

I love this question… They filled the home with music. Really really good music, day in and day out. I still like that beautiful music had an impact on me even while I was in the womb! I believe this is why I live with an internal drumming constantly playing in my head. Sometimes horns and definitely guitar blaring as well, but consistent drumming.

Aside from the epic music of their day, they let me play, get dirty in the mud, catch frogs, and explore what was around us. I am always reminded of this by my Mom, the moment I discovered the greatness of yarn. I would wrap it around every corner and nook it could hold onto in the basement. The yarn created a wonderful spiderweb effect, and I used it as a zip line type contraption for my mini toys. They then allowed me to expand this idea throughout the house. I referred to them as ‘My Machines’. This is my first memory of experiencing freedom to create, and I am forever grateful for that.

My memory is also bringing me back to the garage. Staring up at the wall of tools. I certainly had an early affinity to these mysterious things. When I think back, I feel like it was the different shapes that caught my eye a bit more then ‘what’s your purpose?’, but the mechanical aspect intrigued me as well. My dad was always working on things, fixing, building, changing things up. Watching him work on different projects as well as assisting him with the tiny extras definitely shaped my creative path.

Katie, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Certainly, It has been a long road to rediscovering that Art is my path. My days now as an Artist are following a fourteen year career as a hair stylist and salon studio owner. I’ve always wanted to be a painter and sculptor, but as a young one I needed sustainability, and thought I could gravitate towards liking the world of Hair Styling. I built amazing friendships over the years and certainly enjoyed the connections and creativity it offered, but it wasn’t painting or sculpture. Over time I began to take art classes here and there, trying to figure out what and how my jump into the art world would look like. I am predominately a self taught artist, but with sporadic teachings from some truly amazing educators and artists, I would not be where I am today.

Then the year 2020 hit hard.. and for so many of us, things changed drastically. During the shut down the message was blaring in my brain, now is the time, start painting! So I did, and slowly grew my practice back and began discovering what direction I wanted to go with my subject matter and just learning everything I could on the business side of things.

Working on something different every day is what I really love to do, so the thought of ‘creating a series’ was a struggle. One day I’d be gathering fruit bag netting and plastic straws together with wire and string, and the next day back to painting a canvas… so I was all over the place. I am sure many creatives experience the same desires to work on various projects at once. For me it was like these ideas have been building for over a decade but emotionally blocked inside, so when I began I unleashed it all at once. Today I still have a variety of projects in the works, but currently painting is the main focus in my studio.

My artwork is about community in nature, the animal kingdom and earth’s magic. The focus is usually on a unique animal I hold dear to my heart and surround them in a lush environment. I want to honor as many amazing species as I can by shining a light on them.

Right now my offerings range from original paintings, art prints, and merchandise such as buttons and stickers. I enjoy providing art prints and different things with my paintings and drawings printed on them at local markets and retail shops in the area as well as online. We are living in a time where people are struggling to make it by, so I try my best to provide art that is obtainable and not so out of reach.

Recently, I began carving stamps and hand printing my designs on reusable grocery and tote bags to help tackle the plastic crisis we are experiencing. I hope these little bags with each journey to the grocery or any retail store are seen by other shoppers and plant that seed in their heads.. hoping to spread reusable goodness everywhere. I am proud of this effort and truly hope it enriches the community in a positive way.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Well, I would say if you’re able, go to your local first Friday in your city or town and also attend any art exhibitions that piques your interest. Just showing up for artists in your community makes an enormous impact. Support small theatre and local musicians in any way you’re able as well. Coming together will heal and help creative ecosystems thrive, without a doubt. Connection is imperative. Of course showing up online for creatives on social media is so important in todays world too.  I feel being present and communicating with artists face to face really breathes life into all the energy and courage it takes to put their work out into the world.

Helping artists thrive is similar to shopping at your local farmers market versus the grocery store. If you purchase things from small businesses you’re not only helping support that person in their passion, you are supporting your own community in a bigger way. I truly feel supporting small businesses will help entire communities thrive.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Most definitely I do.. Although I am Thirty-Eight years old and was raised in the computer era, I have always struggled with all things technology. I just never connected with them. When everyone was playing Oregon Trail I was drawing on my jeans, just didn’t want any part in it. So getting into this career path, I realized how important it is to really understand and utilize social media and the internet in the art world. I love it because it has changed the false narrative of ‘Artists don’t make money’ completely. I think because of these tools Artists are thriving right now. So perhaps I wish I took a course or two before diving in head first, but there is great learning in trial and error.. just takes a bit longer.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.katiemarchart.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katiemarch_art/

Image Credits
Katie Irene March