Kathryn MacNaughton talks about her career as a painter.

FAME: Where are you from and how did your passion for painting start?

KM: I’m from Toronto, Canada. I've had a passion for art since I was a child. I was a very crafty kid and in school, art class was the only thing I looked forward to. After graduating from Ontario College of Art and Design University with a degree in Illustration, I initially pursued commercial art as a practical career choice. However, my love for painting remained, and I continued painting on the side while working as a freelance illustrator in a shared studio space. As my body of work grew, I organized my own exhibition in the space, which was well-received and opened doors to more opportunities. This success led to further shows, eventually catching the attention of a Toronto gallery, which offered representation, further expanding my artistic career.

FAME: What brought you to Portugal?

KM: Having friends who had lived in Portugal for a decade, I had been visiting the country for vacations several times. In 2019, I had the opportunity to embark on an artist residency at PADA studio in Barreiro, near Lisbon, and the experience was nothing short of incredible, deepening my affection for Portugal. Upon returning to Toronto in November 2019, I made the life-changing decision to move to Lisbon in May 2021.

FAME: What is your creative process like?

KM: In my artistic process, I keep the canvas on the floor as a receptive surface for my creativity. I pour paint onto it, allowing it to flow naturally. Guiding and pushing the paint with a squeegee or brush, I embrace the interplay between intention and spontaneity, resulting in intriguing textures as the layers dry. This creates a captivating sculptural dimension to the paintings.

My process requires trust in my intuition, and welcoming unexpected challenges and failures as valuable stepping stones for my artistic evolution. I maintain focus and concentration, carefully choosing when to pour the paint and skillfully deciding whether to push boundaries or pause, allowing the paint to absorb into the canvas.

FAME: How long does one painting take you to complete?

KM: The time it takes to complete a painting always varies. At times, a partially finished piece may remain in the studio for a couple of months before I decide on its next steps. On the other hand, if luck is on my side, I can finish a painting in just one day.

FAME: What are three common misconceptions people have about painting?

KM:

1. That painting depends solely on natural talent. Consistent practice, dedication, and learning can significantly improve anyone's painting skills, regardless of initial talent.

2. Some people believe painting is easy and quick, but painting requires patience, practice, and invested time to produce. Failed paintings are just as important as the successful ones.

3. The essence of painting lies in creating a good painting, but the true value lies in the journey taken to achieve it.

FAME: Do you prefer commissioned or un-commissioned work?

KM: Uncommissioned. It allows more freedom and discovery in the process.

FAME: Which artist has been the most influential for you?

KM: Helen Frankenthaler, Willam Dekooning, Robert Rauschenberg, Amy sillman, Albert Oehlen

FAME: What do you love most about what you do?

KM: Being able to have a space where you can go every day to express yourself. It’s very liberating. It serves as a sanctuary for my creativity and emotions. It becomes a haven where I can fully be myself, uninhibited and free from the constraints of the outside world. The beauty of the studio lies in its unpredictability. Every day brings something new, a fresh challenge, or an exciting opportunity to explore uncharted territories.

FAME: What is the piece that you are the proudest of?

KM: I don’t think I can answer this question. There are paintings that are pivotal turning points, but there isn’t a specific painting that I can really say is my favorite.

FAME: What is next for you?

KM: I have a solo exhibition at Saatchi Gallery curated by Beers London Gallery in November.

Kathryn MacNaughton