Meet catherine richardson | Visual Artist, painter who eventually found Iceland.

We had the good fortune of connecting with catherine richardson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi catherine, what inspires you?
I am inspired and motivated by geomorphology and the scale of geological structures and their influences on the landscape. It is fascinating to contemplate the static evidence of a once mobile lava flow and what was once a sea bed is now a folding mountain range.

I’m also fascinated by the architecture of packaging construction; how cardboard boxes morph from flat to clever and unusual 3 dimensional containers.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started painting at 5 years old, inspired by my uncle, I was fascinated by colour. Encouraged by a high school teacher I applied to a 4-year art school upon graduating. That changed my life and gave me essential independence. I’ve always been interested in the natural world and hiking so I would sketch on my walks and travels. Growing up in England and visiting Mediterranean shores each Summer provided views of mountainous landscapes in contrast to the bucolic scenery of my home town.
Spain brought up many questions and experiences of grand vistas which segued into views of my visit to the USA.
On first arriving I was amazed at so much space; views of distances and strange rock formations were /are mesmerising.
I ended up living in California with a career as a goldsmith/stone setter to help support a family.
Consequently, my MFA degree came about later in life and I returned to painting and installation work about the environment of marshlands.
I won an award (from Sonoma County, California) as an emerging artist with this work. I’ve since worked on imagery concerning glaciers for which I won an award from Bath University, Bath UK.
Recently I collaborated with another artist, Booke Holve, on an Extractive Industries project concerning the mining of minerals used in the operation of our cell phones. This culminated with an exhibition at The Seager Gray Gallery in Mill Valley, CA.

Periodically I apply to artist residencies for that quiet focused time solely for the creative process to develop and evolve something new. This year 2022, I stayed at Skaftfell in Seydisfordur, eastern Iceland for 1 month to immerse myself in the magnificent geological anomalies of Iceland.

There are always challenges in creating something that has not been seen before and we know that stories are an important way for the viewer to make connections to the work. Artist talks at galleries, newsletters and videos are useful tools for this as is time and news in the Zeitgeist.

What I would like the world to know about my story and brand is that there are forces in our natural world much more powerful than we humans and thought and care and respect for the land and deep time is paramount to a balanced life and balanced environment.
While there is always change, some are considerably slower than a human lifespan can comprehend.

I’ve learned to show up in the studio routinely and be true to my core beliefs. Patience in balance with persistence leads to rewarding discoveries and experimenting with materials and disparate substances is the fun factor.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
A week-long trip would be best spent in my home town of London where there’s SO much to do and see. First I would take the underground (tube) to St Paul’s cathedral. walk inside the massive architectural wonder and whisper into the wall inside of the dome. Then we would walk over the Millennial Bridge crossing the Thames river while viewing the amazing skyline of buildings. This route would take us to the Tate Modern (art). Where we would look at the collection, check out the installation at the Turbine Hall and have lunch on the top floor cafe. Also we can take a boat-bus down or upriver.

A day trip to London bridge and see the Shard, one of the tallest buildings in London all glass and a lunch in the restaurant at the top. Then a walk along the river to Borough Market and get lunch; a paella or fresh seafood or curry bowl with a baguette.

Must see and experience is the V&A ( Victoria & Albert) museum. Also a great restaurant on top floor for lunch or dinner. This museum is an all day event.
The Natural history museum is nearby in Kensington High street (Tube). Amazing collection from Historians and scientists over the centuries as is The British Museum located near Holborn and Russel square. A full day here and then dinner at Dishoom for a really good curry /Indian food in Kings Cross. I like the Dosas.

I like to walk through St James Park (which surrounds Buckingham Palace. Yes Lots of tourists but beautiful and a respite from traffic and streets.

A favourite place is the RA (Royal Academy) in Picadilly. They usually have some major art exhibits and a decent cafe. Across the street is Fortnum &Mason, a classic food department store with gorgeous packaging for their products and exotic foods.
Next door is a tiny park where you can sit and gaze at botanical scenery and green grass and if feeling a psychological drama coming on can go chat with a therapist in a small wagon parked there.

Then there’s Harrods the historic department store. A grand building in Knightsbridge surrounded by super exclusive clothing boutiques. A must to visit.

Visit Victoria Miro art gallery on Wharf rd (Exit on Old Street Tube station) exciting contemporary art gallery and Old st. was once the taylor and sewing factories and wharehouses, now a tech and very hip area with great restaurants as is Shoreditch.

This is enough for 1 week, spend a year and you would never see all.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Skaftfell Artist residency, Iceland Jen Tough and Artist Alliance
Sergio Gomez and ArtNxtLevel.
Sam Basset artist at The Newlyn School, Cornwall, UK
Jenny Morse, artist, UK
my Art Collectors, relatives and friends who have helped me on my path.
Cill Rialaig Art Residence S. Ireland
Brooke Holve, artist California USA
Stewart Geddes, Bristol UK
The Lucid Art Foundation
Professor Jeremy Morgan and Professor Susanne Cockrell for being my MFA mentors.

Website: https://www.catherinerichardsonart.com/

Instagram: @catherinejrich

Image Credits
artist Catherine Richardson