Walk the Line with Katelyn Liepins

What are you presently inspired by?

The majority of my current work deals a lot with the element of line and how I can create lines using forms other than the traditional pencil. I have used yarn, lights, masking tape, paper, etc. to create these lines within my work. I am attracted to hard, sharp, geometric lines and how they interact with each other. In my large scale installations, I try to draw the viewer's attention to the architecture of the given space. For example, the way a wall meets the floor or how the corners of the room can have so much character. I am currently experimenting with how I can create the same feel of the large scale installations on a smaller portable scale.

Is there something you are currently working on, or are excited about starting?

I have been working on an ongoing project dealing with self-portraits. For the past five years I have been taking a photo of myself everyday and I recently completed the end of a five year project checkpoint. I want to make a progress video involving all of these portraits to show my five year progression thus far. I will be continuing to take a selfie everyday, for the unforeseeable future.

Other than your art practice what other work do you do?

Being a recent college graduate, I am still trying to find my place in the world. I have my B.A. in Art Education so I have a few teaching gigs at art studios in my area. I also work at a sculpture park in Hamilton, NJ called Grounds for Sculpture, as a corporate educator and volunteering as a docent. I also am a substitute teacher in my local school district for K-12 classes. Not only do I volunteer at Grounds for Sculpture, I also volunteer at Princeton University Art Museum with the children's programs. With all of my many part-time jobs and volunteer positions, I am rarely doing the same thing two days in a row. I like the variety that these many positions bring as well as the freshness it allows my day to day routine to have.

Do you have a background in something other than art?

As mentioned above, I do have my B.A. in Art Education and a minor in Psychology. I recently decided to go back to school to obtain my Radiology Technicians license. I have always loved science and the study of human anatomy. I have many skull and bone themed art and objects around my house. Working in a hospital and helping people has always been something I have wanted to do. My studies and love for science have influenced my art and I am looking forward to how my love for both art and science can combine in the future.

Katelyn Liepins is a featured artist our current exhibition, Creatures-real and imagined.