Anahata Katkin

I Love Boobies: Benefit for Keep a Breast Foundation

I have been given a wonderful opportunity to participate in the Portland, Keep a Breast Foundation Art Benefit on October 18th at ADX.  The foundation is dedicated to breast cancer awareness and early detection through some very progressive mediums and outreach.  This batch of breast casts for the Portland show is curated by artist extraordinaire, Blaine Fontana of Fontana Studios .    They provided the gorgeous body casts to 12 artists.  I was really inspired by the cast itself.  I really wanted to keep the focus of my piece about the mission itself.  Having a real body cast of a real womans breasts was both inspiring and central to what moved me.  What could be better on boobs...than boobs?  And I loved the ceramic like quality that emerged as I added layers to it.  I also wanted to keep it soft, pretty...healing.  Imagining where a piece like this may end up was important to me.  A survivor, a breast cancer-effected family member, organization or clinic?  It was import ant that the cast felt like an honoring of this.  So that's why it's quite simple.  It felt like a calming piece of artwork that could easily join someone on a breast cancer journey.  The inside has a pressed flower stem and it reads, "love who you are".  Please come to the benefit event if you can or visit Keep a Breast to get involved.

New Muse

Back in the saddle over here.  Changing hats and getting back to the making part of my life.  And it feels great.  I feel like locking myself in until a new line up is done.  Just like so many other people right now I am loving neutrals.  My house has accidently taken on this wood, white and grey tone throughout.  And I'm wanting the same thing in my pieces.  Trouble is years of working deep in color has taken a toll. And I'd never give it up, but I'm enjoying a more massaged realtionship to it.  It takes more time to be subtle.  And as our lead designer at PAPAYA! always says: "It's hard to do simple- well."  I feel that our relationships with color evolve.  At least it is certainly true for artists.  I used to adore bold contrast and now the subtle transitions feel more valuable to me.  I like the quieter tones.  Maybe life now is just less about getting energized and more about balance.  I see it in trends too.  How many of us just want calming rooms and stores are becoming more deconstructed, handmade and local?  There's such a need to hush.  And I'm bringing an old favorite word back.  One we had in our very first group of cards 12 years ago.  BEGIN.  It' such a good word and means so many things.  Wishing you hushed moments, and soft resolution.  (This image will be part of our PAPAYA! collection in winter 2015.) 

Sunset Magazine: Shout Out

Had to repost this fun news from the PAPAYA! blog.  A wonderful feature about Ashland, Oregon that includes a great shot of our flagship boutique, PAPAYA! Living in the September issue of Sunset Magazine.  We're so proud of both our town and our boutique and this is just such a gem to share them on the page.  Thank you Sunset Magazine...

Trust

Part of today's creative handiwork.  TRUST>  I make these inspired pretty much from the feeling they give me while I'm working.  And there's no way of escaping the personal themes while making artwork.  I use artwork and the muses I create to remind myself more than anyone.  Trust here is just my reminder to take little moments to check in with myself and calm the busy life and mental storm as often as I can.

Abstracts for Brickroom

Last week I took some time to get painting for the Family's upcoming restaurant opening, Brickroom.  (Opening August 8th 2014)  I wanted to make mostly abstract work with lots of blues and whites.  With so much red brick I was hoping to funk it up with the contrasting hues and create a sophisticated batch of paintings but that would also, hopefully make the place feel relaxed too.  So I tried to channel some Cy Twombly and get into the canvases.  So much fun! (please forgive these pics.  I really need to repair my camera!)In about four days I was able to complete the two six foot canvases and they are already hanging on the restuarant walls.  The place really soaked them up despite their size.  Hoping to add two more when the time permits.  I also hope to play with friends next time to help them create some handmade works for their offices and homes. Xoxoxo...

BRICKROOM

As some of you may know my Brother & Mother are opening a beautiful restaurant & bar.  BRICKROOM is in one of Ashland, Oregons most important historic buildings.  It's a gorgeous space and I have been honored to help with design choices and some of the design elements along with our talented designer Ms Sarah Jackson.  These beautiful coasters came in last week that we created and I think they are just so pretty.  It's been so fun to think in a different mind set and aesthetic for this project.  And I cannot wait for opening day.  You can now follow along with BRICKROOM on Instagram and Facebook to stay tuned for opening details and special promotions coming soon.
Ps.  Check out this amazing sneak peek- this light fixture was commissioned by an old friend of mine, Ben Pederson.  A skilled artist and woodworker from Portland,, Oregon.  This is looking directly up at the hand carved, madrone sculpture!  All these beautiful pictures by my brother, Eli Katkin.

Summer & Serape's

Ever since my month in Mexico this winter (here & here) I've been having a love affair with the Serape.  We even used them in our recent PAPAYA! photo shoot.  (see it above?) I've dragged mine to the beach, around the yard, and debated cutting them up for pillows!  Luckily we are getting a fresh batch of these traditional, Mexican beauties at PAPAYA! Living next week.  It's 100 degrees here in Southern Oregon and I can't think of a better time than jalapeno margaritas and these pretty blankets in the shade for a dinner party or just relaxing! Xoxox...

New

(Image: Snowy Spruce) That's our formaula at PAPAYA!  New artwork becomes new cards.  And we have a juicy new batch just recently in.  Because PAPAYA! began with greeting cards it is still our most important collection.  It is our bedrock and most sentimental product. And so we always begin there.  And the cards you love get to become other fun products eventually.  The artwork I've been making over the past year feels really good to me.  I am enjoying drawing and painting more than ever and can't wait to keep that flow going.  To see the full line up of new greeting cards from us click here.  

Inspiration: Pressed Flowers

With this beautiful, hot summer around here happening I am honing in on all the pretty herbs, flowers and weeds that have always inspired me.  I always want to paint the daintiest shapes and stems, but I really struggle with actually taking the time to paint as many as I usually see in my minds eye.  So I have a thought to begin pressing oversiszed flowers and integrating into my work.  I'll let you know how it goes. But boy am I inspired!  Off to buy cinder blocks and cardboard to turn my garage into flower town.  These incredible images are from my Pinterest page on Pressed Flowers.  There's even some how to make your own press images.  Hope you are enjoying and cherishing that gorgeous summer out there.  xoxox...

Interview at Smart Creative Women

 

Hello.  I am really excited to share with you an interview I did recently with Smart Creative Women's founder, Monic Lee.  Her website is an incredible resource for insider ideas, shared knowledge and support for women in creative business fields, particularily small business start ups, licensing and art based forums.  She has a beautiful treasury of video and podcast interviews with some very admirable, creative veterans.  I have already started working my way through her video sessions and learning a ton from other artists as they share their working insights.  This particular interview is a juicy nugget full of how PAPAYA! began, some of our philosophies and triumphs.  And I even braved skype for this.  Both the program aaaand having to talk to a camera.  (Hang in there.  Apparently I like to nodd...a whole lot.)  But I'm so glad that I did have the opportunity to sit down with Monica and do some reflecting and sharing.  I do love a good chat and I am notoriously talkative- so I hope you enjoy it.