June 2023
Wellspring Mother Artist Feature:
Katherine HOrst
It’s an honor to share the beautiful insights, artwork and wisdom of mother-artist, Katherine Horst, a mixed media collage artist, entreprenuer and podcaster from Manheim, PA. She seeks out the visually interesting moments of her day to feature in her vibrant impressionistic style artworks which are comprised of paint, uniquely sourced papers, and text and explore various subjects found in the natural world. In addition to her artwork, Katherine offers workshops and open studio opportunities at Horst Arts, LLC in Manheim, PA - a creative business collaboration with her husband, Jason. We really encourage you to check out her website and follow her social accounts for even more creative encouragement!
Mia + Jess
Katherine’s workspace
WELLSPRING: To what do you attribute your style of making? (This may include: influences, art movements, artists, etc...)
KATHERINE: My style with paper collage is treated the same way I create an acrylic painting. I have always loved the impressionistic painting style. The beautiful texture found in a painting like these is what led me to find my process with paper college. My top impressionist/post-impressionist artists would be Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh. I apply my paint the same way as these wonderful artists did because I feel like the story of the colors should be seen. That has let me to "paint" with my paper. I find the fact that many people can't tell if my artwork is a painting or something else to be exciting. The other artist group that really shaped my collage style would be the Picasso and Matisse. They actually used the medium of paper collage and it continually reminds me to see patterns in a wonderful way to add interest in my artwork.
WELLSPRING: Where do you look for inspiration?
KATHERINE: I look at my everyday life for visually interesting moments I can capture with my medium on a canvas. I’ve always got my camera or pencil ready to go. This leads me to do Plein Air collage as well. The act my studio can be anywhere with a travel easel and bag of paper helps me stay in the mindset that any moment can be a creative one. Another way I am inspired is through music. I enjoy a variety of music styles, but find Christian singer/songwriter songs to be what I most connect with right now. Music really brings out my emotions and helps my mind dance with pictures. Finally, I love books and gain a lot of image inspiration from reading. As you can tell from music lyrics and books that words are a big starting point for my images.
WELLSPRING: What excites you about what you are working on right now?
KATHERINE: I have found an unexpected excitement in the actual working process of my collage. I’ve been making paper collages for 12 years and I'm now in a place where feel confident in how to create the image I have in my head. This confidence has caused my desire to create to be stronger. Its funny how much more enjoyable I find my art making when I can move past the question of “how do I make it ?”to the “what do I want to show my audience?”.
“I want mothers to know there is nothing wrong with finding the time to make your art in small chunks every day and not waiting to explore your creative side “when the kids are older”.”
WELLSPRING: How and where you see your faith intersect with your creative expression as a mother artist?
KATHERINE: My christian faith effects my artist call in multiple ways. It starts with the Word of God. When I read scripture I am flooded with visual imagery that helps me understand the words I am reading more clearly. I best learn from pictures and I feel that God shows me more of Himself when I can experience Him that way. I then want to share what I’ve learned and understand with others in the way in the way I just learned. The passion for the arts started at such a young age so it only feels natural to express what I’ve learned through that medium. Art can touch its viewer in ways that head knowledge full of facts can’t always articulate. This visual learning style has also helped me better speak about my faith with my children. They are so open to creative learning and I don't want to loose that chance of sharing with them. It brings me joy to use creativity as visual aides help my family grow towards Jesus. Also, as my faith has matured the need to share goodness, truth and beauty has become a driving force in all areas of my life which includes my art making. I think I have a unique opportunity to bring Christ and all the truth of my beliefs into a place in the world that needs to hear it. The art world talks about so many things that can be hard to understand and faith shouldn’t be one that we leave out. The bible calls us to go and make disciples. That verse convicts me to run towards the battle for the goodness of God’s name to be shared in the arts instead of running the other way. I want to keep working hard to create excellent artwork that will start conversations which lead to opportunities for sharing Christ.
WELLSPRING: How has your motherhood journey impacted your creative process or your way of seeing / thinking?
KATHERINE: Being a mother has made me learn to work quickly on multiple pieces at one time. In the early years of my family I created my artwork late at night once my children have gone to bed. I knew I had a few precious hours to get what I needed done. Since that time it has positively effected my time management and streamlined my process. If I was able to find a few hours to create artwork during the day I had to made quick and focused decisions to get artwork done before someone needed me. I still work that way today. It has helped me to think quickly and intuitively. I also learned to appreciate the beauty in the creative world of children's literature, design and style. The talent that can be found in children’s books and company’s like Land of Nod have inspired how I handle my texture and patterns in my collage. The color and patterns I see my kids have in their toys and things they read influence the papers I use. I want adults and children alike to connect with what I create.
WELLSPRING: What encouragement or wisdom would you share with another mother wanting to pursue her creative call?
KATHERINE: I want mothers to know there is nothing wrong with finding the time to make your art in small chunks every day and not waiting to explore your creative side “when the kids are older”. First, you will miss the beauty that being creative gives as a stress relief to a busy life. Second, by ignoring your call to create you take the awesome opportunity away from your children to watch you pursue your creativity. They need to see that you chase after what you love. They need to know that a passion to follow your calling/gifting is important so that they too will pursue their creative side. Also include them in creative experiences. Let them come to your gallery exhibit opening. Introduce them to your creative friends. Include them in child appropriate environments of music, theater and performance to learn this part of you as their mother. I’ve brought my kids to many gallery openings, museum shows and creative performances to expose them at a young age. It not only teaches them valuable lessons in handling adult settings, but they see you interacting in a different way then just mom.
WELLSPRING: Please share with us where we can see, read, or experience your creative work: (i.e. social media, website, exhibits, concert info, blogs, books, etc...)
KATHERINE: Instagram: @khorstart Facebook: @katherine.m.horst
Web: www.k-horst.com
Web: https://redravenartcompany.com/artist/katherine-horst/
Podcast: @busy_ mama _ bee _ podcast YouTube: Busy Mama Bee Podcast
We hope you enjoyed this Wellspring Mother Artist feature!
Stay tuned for more, we’ll be releasing two each month as part of our Open Call Collaboration, you can check out the details here. Interested in being featured? Send us an email over at wellspringmotherart@gmail.com with a statement of interest and share your Instagram @ handle or other social media presence.
