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

Mayme, appreciate you joining us today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was eleven years old when it struck me that being an artist was the only thing in front of me. As a young child I felt overwhelmed and it felt like a huge responsibility. I was physically ill for about a week as I processed what it might mean. Thankfully I had creative people in my life. My aunt made part of her living as an artist and I lived down the street from a well known artist that I would later apprentice with. I grew up in a small town where failure was never discussed. I was under the illusion that everyone chose what they were passionate about and marched forward without hesitation… so that is what I did.

Mayme, 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?

It is my believe that how we play as children is a clue as to what our gift to the world might be as adults. I have always felt that bringing beauty into the world is the best I could possibly do, especially when there can be so much sorrow in front of us. I grew up in a rural environment, riding horses, fishing, gardening and rescuing wildlife when I could, so my child’s play was in nature and especially close to animals. As is often the case, my pets and rescues would pass away. Each time this happened I was bereft with sorrow but I didn’t want that to be the feeling I was left with, so I would have elaborate celebrations and burials in their honor. It did not end there…. after a few days I was worried that I’d missed something and maybe they were not dead or maybe I could find the soul after all? This thought process lead me to digging them up to see if I could find the essence, instead I learned a lot about decomposition and the not so pleasant process. I tell this story because I realized a few years back that much of the art work I make now is the same process, except I am burying things is translucent resin and digging them up by sanding into the plant life, seeds, sometimes bones and shells. revealing the interior structure and the essence of the objects, celebrating a reverence and a beauty for nature. I hope that my work causes the viewer to look closely at the world around us and not to miss the smallest insect or delicate flower. I feel lucky and grateful that I get to wake everyday and do what I love.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Poetry and literature have greatly influenced my work. There are times when one line in a poem can influence an entire body of work. Poet Mary Oliver is one of my favorites and when I feel stuck with my own work I usually can move through it by reading her work. Her book The Leaf and the Cloud has been a big inspiration to me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

At the young age of 13 I decided I better get a job and save money in order to support my art making. I knew I would eventually need to leave the small town where I lived. My folks didn’t have a lot of money so there wasn’t support in that way. My artistic aunt gave me odd jobs but I also lied about my age and got a job bussing tables and cleaning motel rooms, and so my self supportive efforts started early. I was gifted with a strong work ethic which has carried me throughout my life. In my 20’s I worked three jobs while I developed my artwork and found my voice. It wasn’t easy and I think I was really lucky that I moved to Arizona when I did. The art community was welcoming and inclusive and there were opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.maymekratz.com

Image Credits
portrait photo credit: Lisa Olson