Artist Kathryn Maxwell

Kathryn Maxwell (b. 1959, Centralia, IL) creates playful abstract collages that evoke a wonder for nature that subtly acknowledge humanity’s environmental impact. Maxwell received an MFA from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and a BA from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois.

She has participated in exhibitions at the Detroit Institute of Art; Denver Art Museum; Dundee (Scotland) Contemporary Arts; China Academy of Fine Art, Hangzhao; International Print Center, New York; and Melanee Cooper Gallery, Chicago, among many others. Deeply influenced by her travels, Maxwell has participated in artist residencies in China, Belgium, Greece, Scotland, and the U.S., allowing her to merge her passions for travel and art.

Originally from Illinois, she lived in the Midwest and Alabama before moving to Tempe, Arizona, in 1988.

She is Professor Emerita in the School of Art, Herberger Institute of Design and the Arts, Arizona State University and now maintains a full-time artist practice in Tempe.

"I combine printmaking, painting and drawing into collages inspired by a wonder of the natural world. My palette reflects the kaleidoscope of color found throughout nature, from desert sunsets to the ever-shifting surface of water. The intensity of the colors reflects the vibrancy and energy of the wilderness. Patterns and imagery in my work may be influenced by the tiny traces of fossils in rock or the panoramic view from a mountain. I intentionally forego horizon lines or singular viewpoints in the compositions to immerse the viewer within the artwork. Through my process, I preserve the sense of freedom inherent in the wilderness by infusing a playful approach into both technique and composition. Yet even as the collages express the beauty and wildness in nature, they contain subtle reminders that human actions have impacted our ecosystems. My art serves as a metaphor for the connection between humans and our world. Through my artwork, I encourage a more positive reengagement with the natural world."

Tell us a little about yourself (where you are from) and your background in the arts.

I was born and raised in a small town in Illinois. After living in several states for school and work, I moved to Tempe, Arizona in 1988 when I was hired to teach printmaking at Arizona State University.

Like many artists, I was always drawing or making something as a child but had no plans to be an artist. That changed when I reached college and had to declare as an art major to take a photography course (which I never took!). I stayed in art and received a BA in Art from Northwestern University and an MFA in printmaking from the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

What kind of work are you currently making?

My current artistic focus is twofold, building upon my established practice while exploring new dimensions:

I'm continuing a series of collages that is inspired by the wild exuberance in and awe of nature but that includes reminders of the fragility of our environment and our impact on it. These pieces maintain my signature blend of printmaking, painting, and drawing techniques. Simultaneously, I'm venturing into larger-scale works designed to capture nature's grandeur more expansively. These pieces, still in early development, may eventually be suspended away from the wall, creating a more immersive viewing experience. This exploration of scale and presentation is an evolution in my practice, pushing the boundaries of how my art interacts with its environment.

Both of these directions further my ongoing exploration of our complex relationship with the natural world, inviting viewers to engage more deeply with these themes through a visual dialogue.

What is a day like in the studio for you?

I generally go to the studio around 9:30 with the intention of doing a work out or some administrative task that requires writing but may get distracted by whatever artwork I'm working on! In other words, since my studio is in the back yard and serves as studio, office, and sometimes gym during the hottest weather, I am flexible.

However, almost every day I am in the studio from approximately 9:30 to 5:30 or 6PM and spend around 5 or more hours creating or working through some ideas.

What are you looking at right now and/or reading?

I read a lot of contemporary fiction and am currently reading North Woods by Daniel Mason. It tells the story of a place through its inhabitants (human and otherwise) over a period of 6 centuries. I love thinking about history! I'm rereading some of the essays in Desert Cabal, A New Season in the Wilderness by Amy Irvine.

For visual inspiration, I follow a lot of contemporary artists on Instagram. At the moment I am particularly enamored of Jackie Milad, Julie Peppito, and Raphael Plysant. Also, I love Judy Pfaff--her prints especially, and I am looking at Jacob Hashimoto and Pae White installations.

Where can we find more of your work? (ex. website/insta/gallery/upcoming shows)

Website: www.kmaxwell.net

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kathryn.maxwell_studio/

Facebook:  Kathryn Maxwell Artist