Viewing Room Kate Burns
Visualise artworks for sale in a home setting
viewing room
Visualise artworks in a home setting
In a new series we will introduce you to new artworks and place them in our Viewing Room.
Often it’s hard to imagine the scale or impact of a piece in your room -
How will it look outside a gallery setting with different lighting and furniture?
This feature will hopefully give you a taste of how something will look and feel in a sitting room, bedroom or office space.
Our Viewing Room series will offer works for sale, focusing on a different artist every fortnight.
A short interview will introduce you to the artist and a bit about their inspirations and practice, alongside additional close-up photographs of the artworks themselves.
We are thrilled to be bringing the works to you in this way, and hope it sparks a bit of inspiration and possibly a new look to your own home!
Featured Artist: Kate Burns
featured artworks
Art and design has always been
central to my life and work.
tell us a little bit about your background and how you came to be a full time painter?
Art and design has always been central to my life and work. I studied at Bath Spa Uni, gaining a BA Hons in Ceramics. During my early career I worked as a graphic designer and studio manager. In 2008 I took a leap and launched my own stationery company where for ten years I thoroughly enjoyed briefing and directing some brilliant creatives. In 2016 I decided to further my own painting skills and enrolled on a fine art course at Central St Martin’s. It was such a fantastic experience (mainly due to my brilliant tutor) and eventually encouraged me to pursue a career as a full time painter.
What other artists have inspired and influenced you throughout your career?
As a ceramics student I couldn’t help but love Lucie Rie. I would also obsess over Ben Nicholson’s paintings. Artists who really inspire me though are all masterful colourists such as Milton Avery and Mark Rothko.
Without giving away any secrets …… can you tell us a little bit about your working methods.
There really are no secrets. I gather ideas so always have a list of concepts just waiting to be brought to life. I chalk out a quick, energetic composition (referring to plans from my sketchbook). Acrylic layers allow me to be spontaneous and then I turn to oils, slowly building layers. Driven on by a ‘vision in my head’ I simply keep going until the elements (colours and forms) create the harmony and voice I’m looking for.
You wrote. “Painting, for me, is a method of channelling thinking and sensibilities that result in a voice I otherwise wouldn’t have.” Can you expand on that?
Sometimes there is no other way to express myself other than through painting. Words don’t always come easily. The physical process of painting focuses my mind on feelings I might otherwise choose to ignore, which has proved to be a good thing. Painting, for me, is another form of communication and expression. It’s incredibly liberating.
How have you got through lockdown, have you found it a creative time or not and what are you most looking forward to when it is all over?
I feel extremely fortunate that I’ve been able to carry on with my work. I’m accustomed to working alone in my studio (apart from the company of Fred, my dog) so don’t feel the isolation that many other people are suffering. Luckily it has been a very creative time. I’m using lock-down as an opportunity to realise ideas that had been on the back burner for a while. When this is all over I cannot wait to hug my closest friends who I’ve missed terribly. Then I’m heading straight to the north Cornish coast. I’ve so missed being in the surf.
Apart from yourself(!) who would you hang on your wall (money no object)…..
William Scott - a huge one!
….and then we asked Kate what she is most looking forward to after lockdown…..
