We had the good fortune of connecting with Katalin Messing and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Katalin, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in Budapest, Hungary. Growing up in a big European city, I was surrounded by an abundance of art and architecture. I received traditional art training in painting at The Budapest Art Academy. I continued my studies in Haifa, Israel in graphic design and illustration. Although I have lived in many different counties, the most significant influence impacting in my art today is my childhood in Budapest. I had a wonderful elementary art teacher who took us hiking and sketching every week.
Much of my work today still portrays my childhood wonder of the natural world.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I started my journey with clay relatively late in my life. While it has now been around six years, it was initially a big shift moving into the 3D medium of clay. I have the advantage of traditional painting experience. This allows me to express my artistic visions on a clay canvas. I have always been driven to create whether it has been painting, printmaking, or illustrating. This compulsion to create has sustained me through the challenges in life. Moving to new counties, living with Bipolar I disorder, raising small children far from family, and having to adjust to new languages and cultures was difficult. Without the grounding force of my art, I would have felt lost.Don’t give up, keep creating and doing what makes you happy. I believe if you’re passionate about something and consistent with your efforts, success will follow you.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take them to Rocky Mountain National Park to witness the natural beauty. Next we would go to the Taj Indian restaurant in Boulder to eat their delicious food. We would end the night on my back patio, enjoying each other’s company.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like recognize the Boulder Potters Guild for providing me the space, resources, and the opportunity to work there and grow in my art. The Boulder Potters Guild accepted me as a member and provided a 24hr studio space with electric, soda/salt, and raku firing. It has allowed me to explore almost every facet of ceramics making. I am also thankful for all the people who have mentored, inspired, and taken me under their wing.
Especially I’d like to thank the amazing potter/artist, Don Cox, who continues mentoring me in soda firing.
Website: www.messingk.com
Instagram: @katalinmessing