Just A Girl is the collection of Hawke’s Bay artist Katherine Quinn, whose whimsical illustrations are exhibited regularly around New Zealand and find homes around the world. Working from her kitchen table in Taradale, Katherine uses acrylic paint, chalk pastel, coloured pencil, thread, silk tissue and other collaged materials to create her characters.
What do you make? I make small collaged paintings on paper.
How did you get into your craft?
I think I was born into it… being creative is like the vitamin supplement that my body craves… it makes me happy, it settles me, calms me and it makes me feel good about myself.
Do you have formal training or qualifications in your craft?
I went to EIT in Hawke’s Bay and got a diploma in visual arts and design in 1997.
Your favourite materials, tools and processes?
I love love love paper, I am also fond of graphite, ink and pastels. I really enjoy the process of layering.
Five words that describe your mind: busy, silly, organised, determined and critical.
What inspires you?
I am a firm believer that our stories are not for us alone that they are for us to give courage, support and wisdom to each other… I am inspired by this thought.
Is there a philosophy behind your work?
No not really… I am quite happy for people to take what they want from what I make.
Describe your workspace:
I work on my kitchen table and all my paper, paints etc… have homes that are hidden all over my house, so one day I would love a storeroom to keep it all in one place, but I think I will always work on the kitchen table.
What are you currently listening to? Frou Frou.
Your favourite childhood book? Are You My Mother? by P. D. Eastman.
What are you reading now? Tess Gerritsen.
Your hero/heroine: Shaun Tan and Oliver Jeffers.
A favourite quote: “I like it here can I stay”
Do you have any pets? Our cat Holly…
If you were a crayon, what colour would you be? The greeny-blue colour of the kina shell.
You can check out more of Katherine’s work in her Felt shop, Just A Girl, and she is one of the many talented makers selling at Fruit Bowl Craft Jam at the Hawke’s Bay Opera House in Hastings on 4 & 5 December – head along and say hello!
This is a wonderful read Katherine, thank you for sharing a window on your world. I love what you say of your process… however I do think that we all have a philosophy behind our work, even if we cannot see it. I guess that is what the art making process is all about. It’s wonderful to be creative. Your work is exquisite and takes me to a magical place, thank you for that.xxx