Katie Rae David is a New York based artist. She is currently studying at Corcoran School at the George Washington University in Washington, D.C where she is majoring Fine Art. A mixed media artist, David is interested in studying the world around her, using her observational skills and keen attention to nuance as a means of production. Most often, David takes her practice wherever she goes. Meaning, she sits with the world around her, waiting for the inspiration to come to her; she does not go into the world looking to be inspired. David believes that art reveals itself when it wants to be seen, and so she is always watching attentively, but never intruding on the natural process of what it means to “become.”

Color use is critical in David’s approach because it provides a tell-all for what a piece might entail for the spectator. She tendsto use primary colors almost exclusively to achieve this goal in her methodological approach to creating her pieces. David also notes that her approach to creating new art tends to be end-goal oriented. Her approach to creating art is not concrete. In fact, the artist notes that her process is almost always situational. David is deeply invested in focusing on subject matters that are pleasing to the eye and create conversation.

While there are shifts in David’s approach and process, the artist notes that there are two constants: the need for music to set the tone and her desire to cleanse. Listening to AfroHouse beats is typical for David at the beginning of her artistic process because it motivates her, and, once she is “into” the process, sheshifts to classic rock with particular attention to Bob Dylan and The Beatles. When the artist feels the need to cleanse, she says her approach might be less refined and perhaps slightly chaotic, but the product always speaks to whatever is happening internally. David says there is a beauty to breakdown and believes that having the space to work through her emotions and produce something visually appealing is a gift.

Ever-inspired by the world around her and the people who populate it, David aligns her observational process with Victorian-era artists because she is interested in daily life and leisure. In capturing people and their daily, perhaps mundane, experiences, David feels that she can hone in on their essences, and, from that, create. Film is yet another avenue of inspiration for the artist because of its multi-faceted approaches to capturing perception. In particular, David feels strongly about the visual effects and musical score of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, noting that the texture of the film is enlivening, even when she is feeling less-than-awesome.

Among the constellation of artists, there are three established artists who have deeply inspired David’s work, process, and approach to creating art. David’s applied technique is largely inspired by Neo-impressionist Jean-Michel Basquiat’s use of shapes. Japanese contemporary artist Yayoi Kusama’s sculpture and installation art have encouraged a use of bright colors in David’s practice. And, finally, David says that European minimalist painter Niele Toroni’s simple approach to art has helped her find comfort in the works she creates, knowing that complicated subject matters do not necessarily make for good art (at least not for her).

A need for escape has long anchored David’s practice, and she has always retreated to the safe space of creation as a means of feeling fulfillment, particularly when she was in middle school and high school. Tellingly, her artwork’s main message is for people to feel comfortable confronting their emotions and the significance of having emotional proximity with themselves. There is a balance between Self-Help/ Self-Awareness, Mental Health and Wellness, and Religion in the space of David’s work, all of which demonstrate her vulnerability and authenticity as an artist who wants to engage in meaningful dialogue without words.

In all, David’s practice is grounded and her work is engaging. Her hope is to one day own a gallery where she can bring in new artists and help them get their start.