CSA co-founder Stacy Huggins met with Spring artist Kate MacNeil and got down to the nitty gritty about her work. Follow us down the rabbit hole and learn more about Kate’s work!
SH: What attracted you to printmaking as a primary form of expression?
KM: Printmaking has always been a part of my life. My mother studied printmaking at the College of Charleston, and my aunt and uncle own/operate Abaca Press in Buffalo, NY. I’ve been making lino-cut Christmas cards for as long as I can remember, and it only seemed natural to take printmaking classes in college. From there, I just got hooked. It’s a really versatile medium with a wide range of techniques available to interpret my imagery.
SH: You’re also a painter; how does that inform your printmaking?
KM: For the longest time I treated painting and printmaking as two completely separate things. Painting was one set of imagery, printmaking another. It’s only recently that I’ve started to let them work together. If I get stuck on a print, I’ll try reinterpreting it as a painting, and vice versa. Right now, I have a whole edition of lithographs that got messed up, so I’m just painting over them to see what happens.
SH: Who has been the biggest impact on your practice (living and personal connection or art icon)?
KD: Barbara Duval. She was my professor and is currently my supervisor at the College of Charleston. She is constantly pushing me to work harder and put more into my imagery, all while teaching me new techniques in printmaking. She was one of my biggest motivators to continue practicing art after college.
SH: Your work explores death and decay; if you knew today was your last day on earth, how would you spend it?
KM: Beach with my mom, beer with my friends, an evening with my boyfriend. I love making art, but in the end, it’s the people in my life that I value the most.
SH: Last meal?
KM: As many oysters as can I eat. And a few cocktails to go with. Followed by more oysters.
SH: Where do you hope your work will be in another five years?
KM: In L.A., NYC, a few magazines, maybe. Just kidding. I really hope my work will be in a completely different place than it is now. I have a background in technology, and one of my next personal projects is going to be incorporating more tech with traditional mediums. I’m not there… yet, but hopefully will be in five years.
SH: What drove you to pursue art as a career?
KM: I’ve always been motivated to follow my interests. I’ve had a number of jobs working in completely different fields, but art seems to be the one that makes the most sense. It’s incredibly rewarding.
SH: You recently left a part time job at Apple. What is the biggest impact that’s made/making?
KM: So far, I’ve been relishing the fact that I don’t have to work 60 hours a week between two jobs. I’m really looking forward to having more time to spend on my practice.
SH: If money and wall space were no object, what would be on your top five list of art/artists to add to your collection?
KM: Kathë Kollwitz, Jasper Johns, Utagawa Hiroshige, Edvard Munch, and Wayne Thiebaud.
Kate MacNeil is one of the Spring Season artists.
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