There is a deep desire in us as humans to feel understood, to have our souls nourished and loved. Yet we have progressively isolated ourselves--from nature, from one another, even our own inner beings. We seek to be individuals, to be independent, to be in control. We have lost our sense of interconnectedness with one another and with the Earth. We have forgotten that we are not separate entities, that the well-being of others is our own. It is of vital importance for us to regain our connection with the Earth and with ourselves, to see that we are partners with life in all its forms, even in death.
My work explores images and ideas that express our connection to the universe and help to create that understanding in others. I use primarily pencil, watercolor and gouache to create images of plants, insects, animals, human figures and delicate patterns. Through their combination, ambiguous narratives are formed that portray our interconnectedness with nature. Part of the process is my own involvement with the environment and its materials. I currently use a method where I ‘paint’ with hair-like algae, an intuitive process that allows me to connect with my subconscious, and allows for shapes to gradually evolve into recognizable forms. Gentle lines and feminine colors give an initial feeling of warmth and familiarity, often bringing to mind illustrations from old children’s books. However, upon closer inspection, the drawings reveal slightly unsettling scenarios that challenge our immediate perceptions and ask for deeper understanding. Through the ambivalence of these images, my work addresses our emotional and physical existence, as well as embraces the coexistence of the grotesque and the beautiful.
Katherine Rutter was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the fourth of six children. Raised on a small farm in the country, her early experiences helped develop her close relationship with nature. Her childhood love of drawing and being outdoors has continued into her adulthood,where her work is concerned with the interconnectedness of the universe and its beings. She embraces the unknown aspects of life in both context and in practice, where she uses algae on paper as a way to connect with her subconscious. Combined with watercolor and gouache, her delicate drawings gradually evolve into ambiguous narratives of flora and fauna that challenge our immediate perceptions of beauty and life. Katherine received her BFA in 2007 from the University of Central Arkansas, where she studied photography and drawing. Since then, she has worked steadily to develop herself and her work, constantly exhibiting, changing, growing, producing, and persevering. In between drawing, traveling, working odd jobs, and tackling her technology deficiencies, she enjoys cooking with her family, going on hikes and being in the sunshine.
2002–07 University of Central Arkansas; BFA with emphasis in photography and drawing
Solo Exhibitions
2012 A Farewell, Buffalo Exchange Gallery, Denver, CO
2011 Kaze Gallery, Denver, CO
2009 Tarred & Feathered, Rhinoceropolis, Denver, CO
Selected Exhibitions
2014 56th Annual Delta Exhibition, Arkansas Arts Center, Little Rock, AR
2014 May Day, Entre Nous Galerie d'Art, Denver, CO
2014 For The Sake of Being(s) with Katy Horan, LeQuiVive Gallery, Oakland, CA
2013 Neu Folk Revival, LeQuiVive Gallery, Oakland, CA
2012 Floor Plans, Heartlands & Other Conspiracies, LeQuiVive Gallery, Oakland, CA
2011 with Aron Dubois & Zach Reini, Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
2010 Artists in Residence Show, Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
2010 Storytelling, City O’ City, Denver, CO
2009 Where the Wild Things Art, Gildar Gallery, Denver, CO
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