Artist Spotlight: Katie Cowden
Each month we highlight one of the talented makers in our reuse community, and this month it’s Katie Cowden (she/they) of Killer Queen Designs! Katie is a creator that has been supporting ACR as a shopper and vendor at our Reuse Markets for quite some time and we’ve seen their art evolve, which has been an absolute pleasure! Keep reading to see how her art has changed and more of her beautiful artworks.
When did you start working as an artist?
I've been an artist all my life, but I quit teaching preschool 11 years ago to make laser cutting a full time job. Jewelry was my main focus at the beginning and still a major part, but I started cutting large animal shapes from wood and painting them in floral patterns. Thrifted wooden plaques were a perfect base for those shapes, and a couple years ago these mixed media paintings became a larger part of my art career. I've since shown work at Bouldin Creek Cafe a couple times, and I'll been installing a new collection October 1st. I've also shown at Cute Nail Studio, Method Hair, and Cloud Tree Gallery.
Which aspect of creating is your favorite?
My favorite aspect of creating is getting into the painting flow in my studio. My preferred brushes are nail art brushes, so getting long smooth lines painted and seeing my ideas taking form in pigment is so satisfying.
Where do you get your inspiration?
My inspiration comes from everywhere! Tattoo design, graffiti, flora and fauna, textile design, space... I did a month-long artist residency in New Orleans last April and the colors of houses there had a huge impact on my work!
What is your preferred way to engage with your audience?
I love Instagram for sharing what I make. Frequently I post process photos or clips of me painting in my stories, share my color matching dilemmas, or share my ACR and thrift store hauls when I go out sourcing supplies. I've gained some wonderful customers and friends that way.
How does reuse play a part in your creativity?
I've always been a person to find my art supplies in unusual places. Reuse is a constant challenge to think of new ways to use items that might otherwise be discarded. Finding my base pieces for art used also helps me keep my art affordable. I also use scrap wood as much as possible when laser cutting at MakeATX, where we keep scrap bins of different materials for members to use.
What compels you to donate to ACR?
Like most artists, I always hoard more supplies than I can ever use. I love being able to pass on what I need to clear out so it can find a new home. My random donation could be the perfect puzzle piece for another artist, as so many of my ACR finds have been for me.
Do you have a favorite ACR find? How did you use it?
Once I found a trifold wooden archway in the wood parts bin! Still in plastic wrap even. I painted it as a shrine for a collector commission.
Where can we find out more about your work and what you do?
Find me posting pretty constantly on my Instagram @katiecowden, see my fine art work at katiemakesart.com, see my show in October in the Bouldin Creek Cafe dining room, and come see me during the Austin Studio Tour! I'll be at Coco Coquette for EAST weekend.
