Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara K. Bigda.
Kara K., we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I have always been pretty creative and drawn to all things art. I had wonderful art teachers all through elementary, middle and high school and was delighted to learn I could major in my “hobby” when I reached college. I attended Amherst College in the late `80’s/early `90’s and had the privilege of learning from some very talented professors. After a circuitous route post-graduation, I eventually became an art teacher working for 10 years in the Quabbin Regional School District. In 2008 I resigned from teaching to paint full time.
After a few years trying to figure out where I wanted to focus my attention, I finally settled on watercolor. In order to hold myself accountable to painting every day (I’m easily distracted and not always the most motivated), I began a blog. I felt that even if no one was reading it, it was a way for me to document my progress and keep me disciplined. This was definitely a good move as I forged new friendships and gained many followers and collectors. Also, at that time I joined www.dailypaintworks,com where I was able to auction off my paintings. It was a thrill to connect with people all over the world and sell my work! I was able to create a solid body of work, pay for supplies and hone my skills during this learning time. Also, viewing the varied work of daily painters in the online community was a rich source of inspiration for me. My early works were usually 6″ x 6″ still life paintings on paper. (Now, however, I paint mainly on clayboard and really LOVE this surface! It’s very forgiving and allows me to easily lift out pigment throughout my painting process. It can also be treated with a UV protective finish so it needn’t be placed under glass when framed. I love that!)
While I’m always trying to challenge myself as an artist, to be become better at my craft, I’m usually pretty inspired and excited to paint. These days I struggle most with the business aspect of being an artist. Marketing, navigating social media, gaining exposure and basically maintaining the business end of things is where my motivation wanes. Yikes! So, I am constantly struggling to maintain that balance. I find it important to stay connected with other working artists through various art groups and online communities for support and advice and I’ve been lucky to have met amazing and generous artists by staying active. Overall, I find life as an artist is challenging but filled with many blessings and rewards . . . I wouldn’t trade it.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
I am a watercolor artist and I paint mainly on clayboard and consider my work contemporary realism. I enjoy painting in my studio (although I’d like to try some plein air painting) and I mainly paint from photographs that I take myself. I spend a lot of time photographing my subjects and editing those photos in Photoshop, choosing what I think are the best ones for painting. I size and create line drawings of my photos and transfer those images to my board, then spend more time drawing and honing the details while formulating my painting approach. I begin with broad washes of color, thinking in terms of the primary colors, value and temperature. I work the entire surface of my board, building up layers of color and getting more detailed as I go. When planning my approach, I allow for lifting and reapplying pigment in order to achieve the colors and effects I desire so sometimes colors and values will look off before they are finished. I find the whole process so much fun!
I’m generally drawn to still life, architecture and interiors. While my subject matter may change, I think the overall common theme of my paintings is taking pleasure in the simple thing’s life has to offer. I may be inspired by the sunlight shining through white curtains or the challenge of painting glass, or the happiness and nostalgia of a childhood toy, but with every painting I create, it’s that serenity, beauty or joy of every day that I wish to convey. I want people to experience warmth and happiness when they look at my work.
Have things improved for artists? What should cities do to empower artists?
I think the opportunities available to artists today are extensive. I mean, the internet alone allows artists to directly reach collectors and potential buyers from the comfort of their own studios. It’s really incredible. I view this as being “easier” for artists. However, it can also be difficult because it means learning a whole host of new skills that come with managing a small business and marketing, including social media marketing. Managing one’s time and changing gears from painting to marketing can be very difficult, (one I am in constant struggle with) but overall, I view the conditions today very positive for artists — allowing them more choices on how to manage their business.
I think it’s overall very important for society in general to understand and appreciate the role that the arts and creativity in general, play in our daily lives. When I taught Art in the public-school system, I presented my assignments with the idea that I was teaching universal life strategies through the subject of Art. Students were presented with the tools to solve visual problems. They were encouraged to seek out original and creative solutions, utilizing “out-of-the-box” thinking. They needed to analyze and synthesize information, exercise discipline and time management skills, while effectively communicating their processes through the language of art. I think it’s important to continue to educate the public that the skills practiced in successful art education are universal and art lives not only in the museums and galleries but all around us. Presenting artists, as your publication is doing, is important to spread the word that artists work in varied media and careers . . . and one can make a happy and successful life as an artist.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
People can view and purchase my work directly through my website, www.karakbigda.com. Every October and December I hold an Open Studio where people can come visit the studio and purchase notecards, prints and other “gifty” items as well as original paintings. I have accounts on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest and people can follow the links on my website to sign up for my newsletter. I also have work in “Dandelions” a lovely gift shop in Barre, MA.
Contact Info:
- Address: 374 Wickaboag Valley Road West Brookfield, MA 01585
- Website: www.karakbigda.com
- Phone: 508-867-8584
- Email: kkoz517@charter.net
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kara_bigda/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paintingsbykarakbigda/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/karakbigda/pins/
Image Credit:
Kara K. Bigda
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