Working solely with a palette knife, I work to infuse my paintings with the same level of energy that I live my life. I work in acrylics so that I can more easily manipulate the surface and layers of paint, building colours and patterns, overlapping bold and complementary colours. I typically start with a colour grouping (yellow/orange or blue/green) and, using up to 35 different hues, build the painting until it consists of six to ten layers. I work flat and do not sign my work, to ensure that the final piece can be enjoyed from all 4 sides with equally strong composition. I use a resin coating to increase the depth and dimension of the work, only when it adds to the experience.

My creative influences are the Group of Seven, specifically Tom Thompson’s work using complementary colours in the underpainting and Jean Paul Riopelle – the Montreal-based artist who captured raw energy in his large canvases, using multiple colours simultaneously on his palette knife.”  

 

Kate’s work is in private collections in Canada, the US, and the Philippines.