@blakekathryn

Instagram: @blakekathryn Facebook: www.facebook.com/blakekathryn Tumblr: blakekathryn.tumblr.com Ello: www.ello.co/blakekathryn Website: www.blakekathryn.com  

1. What's your story? Where are you from?

Hi! I'm Blake Kathryn, a digital artist often found generating freckles in the glow of my desktop. I was raised in Florida, migrated to New York post college, and a few years later one way ticketed to Los Angeles for the mix of hustle and forever-summer vibes.

2. Tell us about your aesthetic.

Subject-wise I greatly enjoy distorting forms to create a new visual approach to everyday objects or themes. Upon transitioning to the 3D realm I fell in love with brightly lit environments, inspired from real life photoshoots. That detail preference quickly crafted the shiny pastel palette I work with today.

3. What is your favourite medium and why?

On an everyday level it's all about where the magic happens via pixels, I use Cinema 4D and Adobe CC for all my digital pieces. From a traditional standpoint I love oil painting, though I'm a bit rusty. There's something therapeutic about mixing colors by hand and developing a composition that can continued to be physically built upon.

4. What is your artistic process like?

It's all over haha. The most ritualistic process I have is documenting words, sketches, and notes onto paper. Compiling these musings into books creates an archive of unused ideas to inspire future pieces, whether for a passion project or client piece.

5. Who and/or what inspires your work?

My work is heavily inspired by surrealism, futurism, pop art and minimalism. To keep fresh inspiration cycling through I keep an eye on current trends that mesh well with my current workflow as well. Currently that's the resurgence of 80's and early 90's aesthetic habits including neons and lo-fi influenced detailing.

6. What role does art play in your life? How does it change the way you view the world?

Since pursuing the arts as a profession, I've found it truly does open up your eyes to the little details around you, physically and emotionally. There's an ever-lit fire within me seeking the next 'aha' moment to inspire my next personal best, whatever that may be. It's invigorating and I love it! Everyday has the potential to be the start of something new and exciting.

7. Where did you study?

I studied graphic design at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. It was the perfect college experience - I attended during our school's golden age of football and there was a plethora of springs and lakes nearby for easy nature escapes.

8. Where do you see yourself in five years? Working in an agency?

I just recently signed onto H+ Creative for representation and that's the foreseeable future for now. I don't imagine going back to working full-time in either an in-house or ad agency setting, as I enjoy the freedom of being freelance. I would like to have a home studio print / general production set up so that I can create a line of products, so hopefully that's a thing well before five years from now!

9. What about in ten?

In ten years I'd like to have created a profitable entrepreneurial lifestyle, one that's a bit self sustaining (i.e. selling products) while still having a steady stream of new work initiatives. Another dream is to get into concept development for sci-fi or fantasy films eventually, being that I'm not involved in that industry yet it feels realistic to say that's a 10 year goal!

10. What do you hope to achieve with your art?

To 'leave a mark' or 'legacy' feels odd to say, but I'd like for my work to creep into the lives of others well after I peace out of the world. While I'm here and hustling away I hope I can continue to expand and evolve my skill set to blow my current self out of the water in the years to come.

11. Now, tell us a little more about you as a person: what is your favourite food?

Sushi burritos, with tsukemen as a very close runner up.

12. Favourite book?

Pretty much any futurist novel, dystopian or utopian. I've been re-reading the classics lately, next on my list is a more current piece I've been dying to dive into 'Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow' by Yuval Noah Harari.

13. Favourite genre of music?

Depends on the day! I'm usually rotating through futurefunk, lo-fi hip hop, 90's R&B, and 80's pop rock.

14. What are your hobbies?

Exploring the many hoods of Los Angeles is a favorite pasttime. I'm an occasional beer brewer and aspiring urban gardener as well. I also have a weird thing for coasters, I don't have enough to call myself a collector but it's a forever growing collection.

15. If you weren't an artist, what would you be?

I'd love to own a plant nursery focused in succulents, cacti, palms and flowers. That'd be the dreamiest alternative reality.