Katy Rana
behind the art
Katy Rana
1. What sparked your journey into art?
This particular style is in fact a direct result of my son's stubbornness. When he as 8 years old he began creating hilarious drawings of people. After 3 weeks of my incessant requests for more, he flat out refused to draw for me again. I was desperate to see my ideas be created, but knew my style of drawing was rather serious and precise. I instinctively picked up the pencil with my RIGHT hand (I'm left handed) and began to draw in a loose child-like style. Due to me being unable to grip the pencil firmly, the style is looser and more expressive than my usual. People loved it and off it took!
2. How would you describe your artistic style to someone seeing it for the first time?
Fun, relatable and uplifting
3. What inspires you most when creating new work?
I'm inspired by everyday life and people's responses to it
4. Walk us through how you create a typical piece, from inspiration to completion.
I'm an avid people watcher and love sitting in cafes watching others interact. I'll translate what I see around town into a rough messy draft. Then I'll trace onto watercolour paper, outline with pen and colour with watercolour.
5. What makes your creative process unique?
I'm using my "wrong hand"! I'm actually a left handed artist, and whilst I paint my scenes with my left hand, all the drawing is done with my right. I struggle to hold the pencil with a firm grip, hence the looser, wonky lines.
6. Share a favourite studio ritual or habit that's part of your creative routine.
I immerse myself with good music and podcasts at the same time whilst I create. This combination may seem overstimulation to some, but for me it is a perfect way to distract my mind from overthinking and just paint.
7. What excited you about creating this particular collection?
I had no brief or assignment with this collection, I knew what I wanted to create, scenes of Guildford, but no rigid view on what I should draw, I found this liberating, I just let my imagination go. Guildford is my hometown, so I absolutely loved painting scenes I've had connections with.
8. What do you hope customers feel when they see these designs?
I hope everyone can feel my sense of humour with the pieces! And joy! My art is intended to put a smile on faces when viewed and a knowing nod of "I relate to that". Humour is everything to me.
9. When not creating art, where might we find you?
Either out in nature, I do love walking! Or, prior to having children at a lot of gigs. I'm a massive music lover. Now...I settle for listening to my husband play at home. I'm extremely lucky to have married a musician.
10. Share something surprising about yourself that people might not expect.
I spent my teenage years living in a secluded area of Northern Spain, mostly feeding chickens on our very small farm land. I was completely removed from the education system. On our return to the UK I had to start completely from scratch.
11. What's next on your artistic journey?
I am looking to publish a Childrens Picture book my husband and I created. I'm currently working on a series of other Guildford scenes with the hope of putting on an exhibition in the near future.
12. Where do people find you online?
Instagram cariKateture
Facebook Carikateures
Facebook Carikateures
13. How would you like them to contact you to order a print?
Either social media or email: katy.j.rana@gmail.com
14. If they want to find you in person, is there a way for them to do that?
Unfortunately I don't have an open studio. Please do reach out online.
15. Are there signed prints of the collection that they can order?
Prints are available of all my scenes and can be signed on request!