For a long time, Kathryn Engebretsen didn’t think she was an artist.
“I don’t know what I thought an artist was, but I didn’t think that was me,” she said.
One thing she knew though was that “I’ve always been creative”.
The Thames-based maker, who loved to paint, photograph and write, had an epiphany.
“I realised it really is about just doing it [making art].
“If you’ve got the urge to be creative, then that’s it, you’re being creative.”
It was around 20 years ago when Kathryn said she started taking part in art shows with her partner, Marti Wong, a fulltime artist of more than 20 years.
“But he didn’t like doing shows. He doesn’t like doing that kind of thing, he’d just rather be in the shed [making art],” she said.
Marti agreed to do some shows with Kathryn to exhibit their pieces and so for eight weeks the pair made a body of work, she said.
“For me, it was just being creative. So in doing that, I sort of started developing a little style.”
I sit at a small table in Kathryn’s art studio and look around.
Jars of buttons on the top shelf, paint containers on another, a pinboard of mementos.
Directly in front of me hangs one of Kathryn’s paintings that spans across four pieces of wood.
It contains a girl swinging across a set of monkey bars wearing red gumboots.
I can’t help but notice a recent series of paintings on enamel plates.
“I’ve developed this weird style because I’ve got a real thing about recycling stuff. I just do. And I really like old stuff.
“Everything I make art from is something I’ve seen or something close to me. Putting them on these things gives them a background that’s totally random in lots of ways but kind of really interesting,” she said.
“I’ve actually been finding vintage baking slice trays. I’ve just sold the last two I’ve made of those.”
Some of them had scratches on them from probably 30 years worth of slices being cut on them, Kathryn said.
“And I’m like, ‘yeah, you’re an old tray that’s been in someone’s kitchen and someone’s eaten from you.”
Kathryn and Marti, who were also the founders who “dreamt up” The Vessel Art Co-Op in Thames, set it up with a motive to “just focus on art”.
Now in its fifth year, The Vessel currently hosts the work of 11 artists.
One of the challenges for Kathryn was learning how to let her art go.
“That’s been a problem for me. I think because when I create, I tend to create a little story or scenario around my work. So it’s a personal little something,” she said.
“So when you’re letting go of the art, you’re also letting go of that little story. But I have had to learn to be joyous around that.”
She attended an art therapy course around 2007 which was when she realised her art was like therapy for herself.
“Years after that, I was like, ‘oh, that’s why I’m so sensitive about the art.’ I’m like, ‘okay then, the art has done its job for me’, So, I can let it go, then it does a job for someone else.”
Kathryn’s connection to story and words will also reveal itself in another project she is working on – a book.
“My book is about discovering my inferior ego and how it was limiting me. [It’s] my journey of understanding my fears and moving into a space of authenticity. This has really helped me with my art,” she said.
She wanted to be more confident.
“I’ve got a book I need to get published and I’ve got to get way more confidence for that.”
The multi-disciplinary said even though she hadn’t written a book before, “I’m passionate about my book so I’m going to get there, I know I will”.
Part of the exercise in confidence was because “you have to share”, she said.
“That’s I think the purpose, that’s driving me.”
DETAILS: Follow Kathryn Engebretsen Artist on Facebook.
By DAVIDDA HIKATANGATA
