Today we’d like to introduce you to Raegen Knight.
Raegen, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I went to art school with the intention of studying fashion design, but when I got there, everything shifted. I tried all the classes my first year and fell in love with printmaking, metal arts, and art history. After I graduated, I wasn’t sure how I could make a living as a fine artist, so I went to grad school to do museum studies. That turned out to be an amazing choice and I was lucky enough to work at The Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney and at the Getty Center in Los Angeles. When my first son was born though, things shifted again and I left full-time employment. I found myself playing with metal again and it slowly grew it into the small-batch jewelry line I have now. I think the most important thing for me has been to stay open, not worry too much, and just enjoy where life takes me.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I hand-fabricate all of my pieces myself in my studio in Orange County. With all the ‘stuff’ out there in the world, I think it’s super important to be intentional with what I’m creating. I use certified recycled metal and I only use stones that are American-mined, lab-grown or certified conflict-free. My designs and pretty minimal and my hope is that they’ll stand the test of time and that the women that buy them can wear them for years.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think technology has helped artists in terms of making connections and visibility easier. I feel it’s always been challenging to make a living as an artist, but opportunities for artists are becoming more prevalent, as artists start exhibiting, selling, and managing their own careers. I’d love to see more affordable studio spaces, co-working opportunities, mentorship programs, and low-cost retail spaces as part of an overall push to invigorate arts in Los Angeles.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
I sell my work at a number of stores throughout California and also on my web site. My favorite spot is The Garage Collective in Laguna Beach. Laguna Beach has an amazing community of artists and small-business owners and everyone is really supportive of each other. The Garage Collective hosts community events and I work in the store occasionally, so I’d love it if people stopped by there to attend an event or just say hey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://raegenknight.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raegenknight/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/raegenknightjewelry/
Image Credit:
Riley Starr, Laura McGrail Creative, Imaging by Rachel
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