Today we’d like to introduce you to Kait Harris.
Hi Kait, can you introduce yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
I grew up in Bay City, MI, and always felt supported in creating art. I remember my mom always coming up with crafty things for my brother and me to do as kids. As I got older, I didn’t feel as confident in myself as the “artsy” kid and was heavily involved in athletics (which remained a large part of my life). However, I always admired my peers who could draw well and took an interest in other famous artists. I decided in high school to focus on more art classes because the more I practiced, the better I would get.
I attended Saginaw Valley (MI), played 4 years of college volleyball, and had a successful team and individual athletic career alongside working towards by BFA in printmaking. I had a lot of creative freedom as a student and appreciated the work of my professors and the time they put into helping me. Once I discovered printmaking, I was hooked! The deeper I dive into the medium, the more I love its versatility and its many applications. This balance between movement and stillness in creating has always been a part of who I am. In 2019, I became an artist full-time after having coached volleyball in the collegiate realm for 9 years. Upon returning to art, I realized how much I missed it, how much it fulfilled me, and how much it helped me mentally to create in my day-to-day life. Since then, I’ve been winging it. I became a mom in 2020 to add to the big-life changes and have been navigating motherhood alongside growing as an artist. I am incredibly fortunate to be able to intertwine this time in my life, even though it doesn’t go without its own set of challenges. Luckily, the art community here in Memphis has been so kind, supportive, and filled with many talented people to be surrounded by.
I used the time during 2020 and 2021 to experiment and follow my gut with what I worked on in the studio. Since few events happened because of covid, I wasn’t expected to make or sell a certain amount of work. My main focus was our daughter, Juniper, and then if there was a project that excited me or a new technique I wanted to try, I just did it, and it usually turned out that once I put it “out there,” it was received positively by the public. Having such a low amount of pressure or expectation has been helping my creative process to continue to stay true to who I am as an artist, keep evolving, and do work that inspires me.
Having limited time to work because of motherhood has been helpful in some ways. Don’t get me wrong, I could create and work all day, haha, but having to “Art” during nap time or for a few hours a week has made me much more efficient, and I don’t have time to doubt myself or make a ton of revisions. Because of that time limit, I have grown more confident in just rolling with a design or specific piece I’m working on. I’m looking forward to upcoming events here in Memphis and will be doing a group show at the Medicine Factory in downtown Memphis with 4 other artist-mothers in Feb-March 2023.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Has it been a smooth road? Ha., is it ever? Because so many changes happened quickly in the past couple of years (making art full time and trying to make money while doing it, pregnancy, becoming a mother, and making the transition during a pandemic). I often didn’t only feel like I was on the struggle bus but that I was driving it off the cliff. Time has taken on an entirely different meaning, and priorities changed immensely. I have learned much about myself and now see the benefits of slowing down. That was not how I operated previously. I still have to remind myself to rest sometimes, but I know it will serve me better in the long run and make me a better mother.
There have been struggles, and still are. One thing that has helped me keep the mindset is that there isn’t any failing, just learning. Experimenting is a part of the creative process and life; you have to take risks (big and small) to continue growing and evolving. I follow what inspires me, create work I want in my home or life, and then share that with others. I still need help with time management or trying to decide what projects to work on and when. I have also struggled with trusting myself in making what I make, but now if I desire to create something, I do it and try not to worry about how it will be received. It’s funny because it’s not like what I make is even super controversial, but there’s always that thought in the back of your head about if a piece will sell. I’ve found, however, that certain pieces will eventually end up with who they are supposed to be. There certainly have been plenty of tears, doubt, and redos, but I have gotten better at accepting all of it as a part of life and trusting the process.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I have always enjoyed art where color and form are a focus and more abstract or representational. I specialize in relief printing and then dabble in acrylic painting and watercolor. Since printmaking is fairly organized, I like to balance it out with painting and have grown more focused on color or color fields. I like to work in various mediums because that also breeds more creativity and makes me a better artist. It keeps work my work fresh. I have been proud of my recent fine art textile pieces. I have wanted to combine mediums for a while, and to see the thought finally become a reality is fun.
My daughter, Juniper, has brought a lot of inspiration to the images I create as of late. Many images are rainbows, butterflies, colorful things, leaves, etc. Still, those images are important even for us as adults because, as we know, the world can be full of darkness, and we need to be reminded often that there is light and hope and not to lose our optimism in the future. Energy is contagious, and I share that good energy in my work.
What matters most to you?
Making art that I want to make. I’m not trying to make something that’s never been done before, I want to make what I enjoy, and somehow that works. Somehow, that is felt in a piece. I don’t know how to explain it, but that passion comes when I stay true to who I am as an artist, even if it’s something I’m on the fence about or don’t know how other people will see it. As an art community, helping and supporting each other is huge. What you put out into the universe comes back to you. While transitioning into the art world, many people answered my questions and welcomed me with open arms. I am incredibly grateful and want to do the same. My goal isn’t to make millions doing this. If that happens, cool. It’s just about creating work that reflects my life experience, and I hope others find connection and enjoyment.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.colorsbykait.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorsbykait_3/
- Facebook: faceebook.com/colorsbyakait
