Like a mirror to her abstract colorful paintings, Katie Craig Keyworth radiates a beautiful and electric energy. For The New Southern, we seek out artists with this kind of energy - an energy that’s not afraid of coloring outside the lines and breaking the rules.
Admired for her intriguing brush strokes, her work swirls with motion, color, and texture. You’ll find her jaw dropping originals created into prints on her corner of Minted, but she also has the artistic eye for commissions - painting in a color palette and pattern unique to each client. “Katie Craig Art captures the collision of movement and color to evoke emotion. It’s most often marked by lots of brushstrokes or dots – more of a therapeutic release when creating rather than an intentional piece,” she says. If her thoughts are busy, her work reflects the more wild and layered pieces she paints. If her days are more peaceful and calm, simpler, more streamlined brushstrokes emerge. Rule-based, structured, and static often describes traditional Southern style, yet women like Katie are paving a movement that speaks to the core of The New Southern; a movement marked by an emotional release, uninhibited and free.
The New Southern’s ethos is using art and creativity as unifiers not only in communities but nationally. Highlighting artists that elicit emotion, we select those who can connect with not only their immediate community, but those who can touch lives on a national scale. Right now, we’re living in a world where this is so important. Coming off a week where national unity is at the forefront of our minds, we especially want to feature artists like Katie who dig deeper, throwing off the bow lines of what was once considered “right” or accepted and bridging differences to ultimately create something that connects our souls.
Photo: ©Domino
We sat down with Katie to chat about her thoughts on goal-setting, her current color preferences, and how she’s modernizing Southern style.
Alyssa Rosenheck: Tell me about yourself.
Katie Keyworth: I am an abstract artist and new mom. I’m a California girl through and through, but I’ve lived in Dallas for the past six years. Thank goodness In-N-Out and Trader Joe’s expanded to Texas!
AR: How are you modernizing / updating Southern style with your art?
KK: I find a lot of Southern art to be bold and bright! While a good chunk of my work does fall into the colorful category, some of my favorite and most popular pieces (like “Full Moon” and “In All Things”) are deep, dark, and full of emotion. In my eyes, there is an instant sophistication to these dark pieces, especially when perfectly framed. I hand frame most of my work in oak.
©Domino
Photo: ©ChaneyWilmer
Photo: ©ChaneyWilmer
AR: What innovative trends are you seeing with Southern style across the country?
KK: I’ve been seeing a lot of lucite/acrylic framing, whether it’s with original work, photographs, or gallery walls. The look is ultra stylish and clean. While I don’t particularly love the style for my own home, this is certainly a huge style trend right now!
AR: What are your favorite hometown design interior boutiques?
KK: Homeology in downtown McKinney – they have great style and fabulous art.
AR: Favorite shade of white and black paint color?
KK: “Wimborne White” and “Railings” by Farrow & Ball. Their colors have such a unique richness that you can’t find anywhere else!
Man in the Moon
©Domino
©Domino
AR: What’s your life motto?
KK: Don’t quit your day dream! Now, my day dream may change from day to day, but still, dreaming big and having goals is a big motivating part of my life. It helps me at least feel organized!
AR: What’s the one shade that changes everything?
KK: Hands down, “Paynes Grey” by Golden. Deep and rich, it’s the perfect navy/grey that is my go-to. It’s the perfect base, but the color can also be the perfect dark pop in more colorful pieces.
AR: What’s your advice for mixing old with new?
KK: Do it. The juxtaposition of new and old is always a winner. The warmth and story of old pieces highlights facets of newer pieces you may not have seen if it were among a sea of new.
AR: My momma always said…
KK: “Make good decisions.” She would yell this out of the minivan at middle school drop off. I only now see the humor in this, but it’s true. Every day you have the choice to make decisions that lead you one way or another. Hard or easy, it’s your choice, so make the good one.
AR: Tell us something we probably don’t know.
KK: I’m six feet tall without shoes or heels. I don’t post many photos of myself, so I’m sure not many people know it, but I’m a bonafide giant by “normal” female standards!
AR: What’s your dream project/client?
KK: I’m dying to have a few solo art shows in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, but with a one-month-old, that dream is probably a little ways off! Babies are demanding! I would also love to partner with a brick-and-mortar, such as Serena & Lily or a local Anthropologie.
AR: What’s currently on your nightstand?
KK: A huge hospital water cup (complete with a bendy straw!) and nipple cream – all flanked by some of my favorite original art pieces by my favorite artists. It’s all about balance, right?
AR: The greatest color combination that ever existed?
KK: Black and white. You can’t beat the contrast and boldness. I especially love black and white in home design, rather than in artwork. Think white brick and black windows – swoon! Don’t even get me started on black and white patterned floors!
Saturday Morning
