Art & Life with Katlin Sara Evans

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katlin Sara Evans.

Katlin, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
When I was five years old, I use to sit out on the street with my drawings and tried to sell them. Kind of like a lemonade stand but with my drawings. I suppose I’ve never stopped from there. I grew up in an artistic family. My dad is a retired TV and theater director, and my mom was into theater and writing. Pursuing Art as a profession was never looked down upon nor encouraged, it just was. If you wanted to do it, you just did it seemed to be the family Moto. I went to The University of Montana, Missoula for my BFA. There, I was fortunate enough to have some really exceptional Professors. One, in particular, MaryAnne Bonjorni, gave the best advice. She said, “if you keep making, someone will eventually notice.” I’ve taken that advice with me over the past twenty years. I still have the wooden spoon she gave each of us on graduation day up in my studio. She wrote the words on it “desire.” Meaning, feed yourself… keep going… don’t stop.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am interested in how opposites can work together (or not) in a single structure and/or 2-d space. Examples of this might be combining both trash and natural elements together in a bouquet of sorts, like how flowers might be arranged. Other times the work might take on hard angles 

that land next to soft edges (organic/inorganic elements) in an attempt to create a harmonized environment. I’m interested in creating art that engages this conversation visually. Words often don’t get me there. I see/ use images and forms in an attempt to create a visual balance in an increasingly polarized world. With this being said, I allow my work to take on different forms, from sculptural to 2-d, whatever will help me visually investigate this particular thought process. 

My work usually tends to be quiet instead of loud with color or form. My intention is for the viewer to find a sense of stillness in just looking without verbally labeling, which I find to be a hard thing to do in our over-sensory culture. My wish is to get out of my “head” and into my “heart.” I find my work helps me to get there. Maybe others will see/feel that as well.

Artists rarely, if ever pursue art for the money. Nonetheless, we all have bills and responsibilities, and many aspiring artists are discouraged from pursuing art due to financial reasons. Any advice or thoughts you’d like to share with prospective artists?
That is a constant battle. Artists have to pay bills too. We spend a lot of money to make our work, have a space to make the work, not to mention the large amounts of time it takes to make the work. This cuts into the artists social life and “day job” life. I often find that people don’t understand that a “day off” for me is not one. It’s a studio day. I have 

always had a “day job” to cover my basic bills so that I could make whatever work I wanted to make. 

I would say keeping a schedule is most important and sticking to it no matter what is happening socially. WAY easier said than done! But if your time is designated and intentionally delegated to certain tasks on particular days and times, it will be easier to stay focused on the work. It’s important to create a balanced life between social life, creative life, and “day jobs.” That way, you don’t find yourself getting pushed around by “life.” I’ve found that it’s far too easy to stray from what needs to be done artistically. A schedule helps a lot!

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
I show my work at the Sawdust Art Festival and sometimes the Festival of Arts in the summers. I’m in the process of finding other venues to exhibit. I have a website: katlinevans.com and Instagram @katlinevans29. My studio is open for studio visits here in Laguna Beach. My email is [email protected].

Contact Info:

• Address:
  2375 Laguna Canyon Road
  Laguna Beach, CA 92651
• Website: katlinevans.com
• Phone: (503) 358-1539
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: katlinevans29

Image Credit:
Katlin Sara Evans

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