Q&A: Katharine Watson
Local artist & printmaker, Katharine Watson, popped into the gallery with a friend of hers earlier this year and I was grateful to be able to finally put a face to the name! Over the years, I’d seen glimpses of Katherine’s studio in magazines and kept up with her impressive design collaborations with brands like Schoolhouse Electric, Minted, Hygge & West, and Chronicle Books, to name just a few. It was a thrill to finally meet this creative force I’d so admired from a distance.
The botanical designs and sketches that Katharine creates in her converted barn studio in Portland are transferred to hand-carved linoleum blocks before they are printed on an array of vibrant goods, including stationery, textiles, and ceramics.
This summer, I had the chance to spend a little time one afternoon with Katharine and her studio manager, Violet Jones, at Katharine’s home and studio. It was a treat to watch this dynamic pair work together and get an up close view of their process and friendship. Below are photos from my visit, which included a tour of Katharine’s impressive garden, paired with Katherine’s thoughtful answers to some art and design-related questions.
Scroll down to view Katharine’s selection of her favorite paintings from The Willard Gallery’s artists - Lisa Hardy, Ariane Luckey, Julia Jensen, and Heidi Daub.
Tell us a bit about yourself and the Katharine Watson brand.
I'm Katharine, I have been doing for printmaking for about 15 years and have had my studio in Maine for 8 years. I was drawn to printmaking because of the bold, irregular look you can achieve, and also the fact that it is easily reproducible and it's an artform that can be sold at fairly affordable prices.
How do you describe your aesthetic?
Maximalism, color, pattern, historic references, clean.
Where do you find inspiration for your work?
Definitely in my garden, but also in home design, vintage fabric design. But also from playing around with art supplies and seeing what I can make!
In your view, what impact does art have on the home?
I think the thing that makes the biggest impact in a home is being surrounded by things that you love that are sentimental or have a story to you. Art plays a huge role in that, but so does displaying photos, things you have found over the years, old memorabilia. When that is combined with art, I think it tells a story about who lives in the home, and that is what makes a space welcoming and comfortable.
What does collecting art add to your life?
I love that art can remind you of where you were when you purchased it, or the person you were with, or can bring back memories immediately. Whether it's a thrifted painting you bought with friends, or a print you got at a craft fair on a trip, I love how art becomes sentimental as soon as you put it in your home.
What was your first memorable art purchase?
I took an art class on a study abroad program in college and loved the teacher's art so much. It was out of my price range at the time but a few years later I saved up money, and emailed her and bought a piece. It felt really good because I had planned it for a long time and it felt very special to maintain that connection.
What style(s) of art are you drawn to?
I always love printmaking because I can appreciate the work that goes into it, and there are so many different styles and methods, and such a range of what is possible. I also love abstract painting because it can tell such a story (or you can imagine your own story when you look at it).
How do you spend your time outside of the studio?
Gardening, going to the beach, having dinner parties with friends, drinking wine on my porch, being outside near water. In my mind, it's summer for all of those activities. I'm definitely a summer person.
Describe your ideal day in Portland.
Coffee at Rwanda Bean, a trip to pick up a beach read at Back Cove Books and then stop at some stores along Washington, lunch at Smalls, spend the day at the beach, then pick up some seafood to grill at home and sit in my garden! I should do that soon because that sounds like an amazing day!
A great, big thank you to Katharine for answering our questions and welcoming me into her inspiring studio space & garden for the afternoon. Be sure to follow along with Katherine on Instagram, browse her latest work, and keep an eye on the popular printmaking workshops she offers throughout the year.
