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

Rebecca, appreciate you joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I am primarily a self-taught artist. I took to photography while spending my early 20’s living in Chicago and experimented with all sorts of cameras, 35mm, Holga, Polaroid and DSLRs. I have taken drawing and painting workshops and have enjoyed attending art classes at the Torpedo Factory in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and Santa Fe Artist Getaway in New Mexico. I took up quilting while working for a well known quilter in Northern Colorado and would attend her quilt groups and workshops. I learn from other artists and have acquired some information from tutorials on youtube as well as online and in person workshops. I think I could have sped up my learning process by taking my time and informing myself on the basics; drawing, design and understanding my tools more completely. I like to jump in and get producing and you can certainly learn this way, but learning can then be a bit chaotic and spotty. The obstacles that stood in my way of learning more were actually my own thoughts and beliefs. I can put things in front of making time for art like friends, family, and everyday responsibilities, or simply procrastinating on an creative/learning impulse by thinking, “Is that enough or worth doing?”. Occasionally I need to check my thinking and remind myself that I am imposing the constraints… not the outside world. I grant myself the permission that I need to move forward or to make a change.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a multidisciplinary artist that likes to experiment and play through several different avenues of art making. When I paint, sew or take photos I practice letting loose and avail myself to the present moment. I take inspiration from the freedom that creating provides. I am translating the awe of everyday life into the work I create.

I have been taking photos for the better part of my life and consider photography to be the first art form for expressing myself. My photography reflects a deep fascination with the overlooked and the unexpected, with an eye towards highlighting the beauty and complexity of unlikely subject matter. By doing so, I hope to inspire viewers to adopt a more nuanced and reflective approach to their own perceptions of the world.

My sewing and quilting began shortly after working for a well known quilter in Northern Colorado. I’ve spent close to a decade sewing and quilting and I enjoy creating graphic, colorful and unique fiber based pieces. My focus has been on fiber arts and photography but during the pandemic I began exploring abstract painting using acrylics.

My process is fueled by pure excitement for the project at hand. At times, I can’t seem to cut, shoot, paint, or sew fast enough and often just break into dance to celebrate working. I am attracted to contrasts, the tempo of art making, open empty places and anything that subverts expectations.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

I’ve been living with several chronic conditions that have affected every aspect of my daily life for about a decade. At my worst I spent days on end in bed and on the good days I devoted any energy towards caring for my family. My health has bettered over the years but pain and struggles present themselves all the time. Art making has been a meditation, a celebration and general light in my life. It has seen me through dark days, served as a helpful distraction, and a reason to keep moving forward. Art making is the way I interact with the world at large and it provides me with a positive purpose.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is actually being deep in the work and witnessing progress. I love the development stages to a project and enjoy when an idea is set in motion and the work has started and creation is happening. Its so exciting and motivating to have the physical qualities of a project developing and growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rebeccakuri.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebeccalkuri/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rebecca.kuri/

Image Credits
No credits needed, all were my photos.