Tell us how you first became interested in creating art.
I've had a passing interest in art since childhood. One of my childhood aspirations (along with becoming a Supreme Court justice and, for some reason, an insurance adjuster) was to become an artist. I loved cartoons as a child. I created my own characters and drew my own comics. That interest fell by the wayside by the time I hit adolescence. For many years I didn't engage in any creative hobbies as I thought I wasn't “good” at art and couldn't be. I only took up painting and collage in January of this year. I'd been playing Magic: the Gathering for about five years and wanted to find a new hobby to fill that free time now that I wasn't playing that game as much. I thought collage would be an easy entry back into the creative world. Once I put paint on cut paper, it was like the creative dam broke. I didn't realize how much I needed a creative hobby until I began creating.
Once I put paint on cut paper, it was like the creative dam broke
Which artists or art movements have influenced you?
Stylistically, my greatest influences are Luigi Profeta, Carol Nelson, Rebecca Crowell, and Tresa Steenberg. I love the work of the late Zdzisław Beksiński even if my work doesn't resemble his. In terms of “being” an artist and understanding the creative process and the art world, my influences are my aunt and uncle. Both have been artists for many years. They're encouraging and supportive, and their questions encourage me to think deeper about what and how I create.
How would you describe your artistic style? What inspires you?
I'm still developing my style, though if I had to put a name to it now I'd call my style lyrical abstraction or abstract expressionism. Like many, if not most artists, I take inspiration from a variety of sources: memories of growing up in rural Wisconsin (especially emotions or sensations attached to those memories), music, a particularly striking quote in
a book or film, or something I encounter in my adopted city of Indianapolis, such as a peeling billboard. Sometimes combinations of colors and shapes come to me and I'll paint them.
I encourage everyone to try a creative hobby at least once—it doesn't need to be painting
What is your favorite art accident? Did it change your perspective?
My favorite art “accident” is the creation of “Blue Marble.” I'd planned on the piece being a collage but the math wasn't mathing. Frustrated, I pulled the layers of collage off, added some fluid acrylic paint and tinted glass bead gel, and called it a day. I was happier with that almost slapdash result than my original design. “Blue Marble” kicked off a series of mixed media pieces on round canvases that I call “marbles” after the original piece. The “marbles” have been a hit with my friends and family. The experience reminded me that I don't always need to go into a painting session with an end result in mind. I can enjoy the creative process for the sake of the process and let my intuition guide me.
What is the most important thing about art to you?
The most important thing about art for me is its therapeutic properties. I'm not exaggerating when I say my ten months of painting and collage have been more useful to me than years of talk therapy ever were. It's no secret that the political and cultural climates in the United States are, ahem, turbulent right now. My art has helped me cope with the often overwhelming headlines, as well as difficulties in my personal and professional lives. I encourage everyone to try a creative hobby at least once—it doesn't need to be painting. Create something, behold the creation your hands have shaped, and see how you feel afterward.
How do you promote your art?
I promote my art through my Instagram and Facebook pages. I've participated in some local pop-up markets and had a few pieces in group exhibitions in and near Indianapolis. I was recently accepted into an exhibition hosted by Ignite Studio in Fishers, Indiana. I also established an online storefront on Mayhem.my, where originals, prints, and stickers will be available for purchase.
What is missing from the contemporary art market? What problems do you see in contemporary art right now?
If I wanted to give a cheeky answer, I'd say the contemporary art market is missing more of my work. Truthfully, I don't know enough about the contemporary art world to identify problems or offer up a solution. I'm sure I'll learn soon enough.
What are your plans? What are you working on now?
My current plans are to keep practicing and growing as an artist. I plan to apply for more group exhibitions in Indiana, maybe branch out to the greater Midwest. I'd like to have a solo show one day, but I'm not ready just yet. As for what I'm working on now, I'm taking a break from the round “marble”-type canvases and trying out larger canvas sizes and new-to-me materials (wire, fabric, metals). I plan to unveil some never-before-seen pieces at a First Friday event in early 2026. Follow me on the instagram (@caitlin_downey) to see them!
