Artist Feature: Katie Southworth in her SoWa Boston Studio
Katie Southworth is an internationally recognized abstract artist and art educator currently based in Boston, MA. Originally from Darien Connecticut, she graduated from Colby College in Waterville Maine with Bachelors degrees in Studio Art and Psychology. She was the recipient of the Charles Hovey Pepper Prize for her body of work featured in the 2016 Senior Capstone Exhibition. She went on to receive her Masters in Teaching at the Tufts School of the Museum of Fine Arts in May 2018.
We’ve had the pleasure of joining Katie a few times at her studio out of SoWa in Boston and wanted to share some more photos and information about Katie with the FilterGrade Community.
Katie is one of a kind. She’s also one of the most passionate artists I know, who loves to teach and share her knowledge about painting, colors, art, and more with the world. One time when visiting her studio, it felt like I was truly a kid again. We got to draw and paint for hours, without a care. I love it there and it was made that way because of Katie’s presence and kind approach to art.
Check out Katie’s website to learn more and buy her art. Follow @katiesouthworth_art on Instagram.
These photos are from a recent visit to Katie’s studio in SoWa, Boston, MA. All photography provided by Grounded. (@grounded.mgmt)
Katie’s Artist Statement
My work harnesses the power of color and light to promote mindfulness, joy, and mental well-being. I am inspired by emotions, memory, and the way my body responds to nature: especially water. Readings on modern day positive psychology, and other wellness activities in my daily life also play a large part in my inspiration for new pieces. Color is my language, and my practice is a constant study of color theory and relativity. My pieces are complete when my eyes can dance freely across the entire surface, from color to color. Once I achieve that, a color story, memory, or mood can emerge.
I title my pieces after I meditate on the colors, listen to the story, and decide if it relates more to a memory or to a vision for the future. This is why most of my work is titled after the person, place, feeling, or thing of which it most reminds me. My hope is that viewers feel welcome to do the same. Through this practice, I’ve found that my work exposes the truly personal nature of color as it relates to memory, hopes for our collective future, and culture.
I strive for harmonious fields of luxurious color and precise vertical line because I hope to create an uplifting, calming visual aid for meditation and intrinsic contemplation for viewers. To provide a moment of peace and pause for others, as it does for me. This higher purpose of my work is dedicated to my mother, Ellie. In honor of her, a percentage of all sales are donated to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
