KATE OWEN

Growing up on a property near Moree in Northern NSW, Kate travelled extensively with her work in fashion, but it was the open spaces that living rurally allowed, both mentally and physically, which saw her settle with her husband in the Goondiwindi area to raise their two boys.

In 2018 Kate built her studio, which she considers her sanctuary “a purpose-built oasis of peace and positivity, where I can scribble and splash my emotions onto canvas."

Always starting by playing with colours on paper to find a palette which appeals, Kate paints intuitively from impressions of her memories of things around her daily as well as in her travels. As she paints the work takes on a life of its own and meanders along a path which is never apparent from the start.

Part of Kate’s creative process is working quickly to capture spontaneous gestural marks using acrylic paints, which dry quickly. Large brushes help to facilitate this. Scribbling with graphite and oil sticks or scratching back through layers of paint offer an experience of freedom and exhilaration during the work.

In many Kate Owen works you will find the use of collage. This is a favourite medium for Kate which she finds incredibly therapeutic and satisfies her need to arrange forms to create a visually pleasing aesthetic.

Having always felt compelled to create, Kate has tried her hand at many things, including fashion, homewares and food, but is now enjoying painting exclusively.