Woodblocks on 19th century book covers
dimensions range from 9×12″ to 12.25×18″
unique impressions
2013
Briefly describe the work you do.
Tell us a little about your background and how that influences you as an artist.
I grew up going to museums and galleries, traveling, and spending a lot of time with my nose in a book or with a crayon in my hand. My parents have always been extremely supportive of my artistic endeavors and they fostered my curiosity and creativity from an early age. They are both public school teachers, and my father is a photographer, so it is really no surprise that I am an artist and a professor.
The concept of the “artist studio” has a broad range of meanings, especially in contemporary practice. The idea of the artist toiling away alone in a room may not necessarily reflect what many artists do from day to day anymore. Describe your studio practice and how it differs from (or is the same as) traditional notions of “being in the studio.”
woodblocks on vintage paper and ephemera
dimensions range from 7×9.5” to 10×14”
unique impressions
2014
What unique roles do you see yourself as the artist playing that you may not have envisioned yourself in when you first started making art?
When do you find is the best time of day to make art? Do you have time set aside every day, every week or do you just work whenever you can?
I have more of a weekly routine. It depends on my teaching schedule but I generally have one full day in the studio and several afternoon/evenings a week. I work best anytime after 2 pm, although rarely very late a night. I’ve never pulled an “all nighter” in my life. I can’t seem to work in the studio in the morning so after my daily trip to Starbucks I take that time to email, research, document work, and update my website and social media.
“Tiny Little” series
pairs of woodblocks on 1920s navigational charts
8.75 x 11″ each, unique impressions
2014
How has your work changed in the last five years? How is it the same?
I have a background in illustration and design, and after earning my BFA I was interested in working in the book and publishing industry. Things did not work out quite as planned and my work evolved away from illustration and client based projects. I’d always been interested in print based work and printmaking techniques, but I never considered myself a printmaker. When I decided to go back and pursue my MFA, I focused on printmaking and bookmaking.
Are there people such as family, friends, writers, philosophers or even pop icons that have had an impact on the work you do?
If you had an occupation outside of being an artist, what would that be and why?
A flâneur: an urban explorer with a passport, plenty of time, a blank sketchbook, and good food. Somehow I would be paid to just live like this.
About
photo credit: Ashley Wood
Kate Castelli is an artist living and working in Boston. She earned her BFA from Lesley College of Art and Design (formerly the Art Institute of Boston) where she is currently an assistant professor teaching in the Illustration program. She received her MFA in printmaking and book arts at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. She is the blog editor and a member of the Board of Directors for Glovebox, a non-profit organization created to enable greater awareness of the art of emerging and established artists in Boston. When not making or thinking about art, Kate can be found happily wandering the city. She is rarely without a sketchbook, frequently haunts used bookstores, and is hopelessly addicted to Starbucks.
All images copyright of the artist and used with their permission.
365 Artists | 365 Days 