Featured Artist: Katie Buckman

Katie Buckman is a nature photographer with Evergreen & Aspen Nature Photography. She creates modern painterly images inspired by classical paintings and the world around us through her Childrens eyes. A life-long creative both classically and self-taught (the education addiction is real!). You will find her on evergreenandapen.com, minted.com and in some Michael’s stores.

When not chasing her two little monsters, you’ll find her obsessing about all-the-things interiors or snuggling with her kitties. If the stars align, she will be out on a date with her handsome husband in their city of Denver, Colorado.

 

 

How did the arts find you?
The arts have always been a part of my life. My grandmother was an artist and a teacher. My father also loved to do art. I have a photo of he and I sitting at the kitchen table doing watercolor. The black and white photos that he took of me as I explored the world – they’re my favorite.

Who has been a big influence to you in your career?
My kids. Watching them explore the world, all the firsts – walking, crawling, falling – so much falling, finding tiny flowers. It’s so beautiful to watch the world slow down and view it from their perspective. Inspires me to pick up the camera so that I may photograph those moments. It has inspired me to look for the little things too. A single puff cloud in the sky, or a large field and the one random flower or weed. They’re there if you just know to look for them.

When you hit a creative block, how do you move forward?
I like to remind myself that everyday is important. Even the tough days where picking up my camera doesn’t seem like something I want to do. But I do, follow around my littles and soon I find so many different things that I was missing when I was mulling everything in my head. But it’s ok to have days where art is not what you want to do. Those are the days that will help you achieve greatness.

How do you define success?
I define success by being amazed by my own accomplishments. When someone buys one of my pieces and it makes their home feel how they feel on the inside. Give me butterflies. Or when my husband says, “Wow, you did that?” He is my greatest advocate and critic.

What do you hope your work communicates?
I hope that my work allows others to know that it is ok to feel. Emotions are a fantastic thing that allow you to grow as a person. I hope that my work reminds people that the outdoors is a beautiful and sacred space that we should nurture and care for. Mother Earth cares for us, she needs for us to do the same.

What has been an important lesson you have learned during your career?
No’s are good. No allows for growth. But it has also taught me that you cannot be for everyone. And that’s a beautiful thing.

What advice might you give to your younger self?
This time that you stick out like a sore thumb that makes you uncomfortable – tall, frizzy hair, mixed self – will lead you to becoming a confident and caring person that will make her mark in the world her own way. No need to compare herself or be ashamed of her difference. It is beautiful and so is she.


View and purchase Katie’s work on evergreenandaspen.com

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