We recently had the chance to connect with Kate Kelleher and have shared our conversation below.
Kate, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
I used to always have a plan. Throughout school and college, I had plans for volunteer programs, graduate school, travel, and a career marked by great achievements in science and medicine. Today, if asked for my “5 year plan,” I laugh. Life is unpredictable, as I have been so harshly at times taught. And I have finally found myself much happier on a path for the sake of the journey and never knowing what is next. I embrace doing what feels meaningful to me and just seeing what opportunities arise.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Kate Kelleher, an Asheville-based freelance artist and photographer. I sort of fell into creative work after a degree in physiology and a career path diverged into years of mental illness. I am fortunate to continue to have support in that, and an accidentally flourishing new path in art and photography. I have always been a creative person, with somehow innate talent for things I never thought I could pursue. Twists and turns have led me to do so, however, and I am forever grateful.
My art is varied, but often on upcycled wood and metal and antique paper. I work in mediums including charcoal, oil, acrylic, and ink. I am a River Arts District artist in Asheville, NC, most of which was swept away by the floods of Hurricane Helene a year ago. Starting over along with the community from disaster, and having survived Hurricane Katrina as a teen, I know the impermanence of all things and the meaning that can still be found. My sense of community is greater than ever before.
As a photographer, I capture anything from abandoned buildings , fine art, to sports, to engagements, portraits, and elopements.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
I intrinsically and perhaps for occurances on top, had a really low self-worth, and my perfectionism led to feeling a lot like a mistake and a failure, even in areas in which I did well. However, I was told out of nowhere once at a young age by a person I looked up to that they always wished they were as brave as me.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Honestly, my imagination consistently helped me through difficult times. I was and am a vivid dreamer and day dreamer. As a fun note, at times of intimidation or boredom, I would replace the person’s or teacher’s head in my mind with a detailed chicken head or other such thing. It leavened the situation even as I could hear their speech, and felt like my own secret theatre of the absurd.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Anyone who knows me would first site my senior dog, Journey, as an important feature in my life. She has helped me live and thrive and care and love in ways I could have never imagined. Additionally, my art in all forms an the independence and freedom to create it and feel inspired is of huge importance. Also, having purpose in giving back or helping others in forms of volunteer work or meaningful art is of great imperative. Finally, humor makes life and circumstances livable.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What light inside you have you been dimming?
I feel like it’s time to just embrace my weirdness. Life’s too short.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://FollowTheArtStrings.weebly.com
- Instagram: @Kelleher-Kate-Art
