Meet Katie White | Visual Artist, Metalsmith

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katie White and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katie, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Working in atmospheres that require passion, drive, and authenticity have always been attractive to me. Almost every job I’ve had has been for small businesses, artists, or unconventional of sorts so deciding to dive deeper into metalsmithing began to come naturally. Over the years I’ve found myself increasingly fascinated by many crafts, trades and skills especially if it’s art or nature related. Days have been constructed more about what I can do to keep my hands busy which in turn has created a larger peace of mind. Healing and creativity go pretty hand and hand so how lucky am I to create daily for a living! All in all art and creativity have fully become a way of life because it needed to be.

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.
Metalsmith and Visual Artist are the main two titles I identify as with my concentration on metal working while dabbling in many other mediums such as stained glass, ceramics, watercolor and more. Full time I work for Sarah DeAngelo Jewelry in Englewood while also growing my own metalsmithing business, Velvet Moss Magic doing markets weekly with MTO on my website. Most of my work is inspired by organic elements of nature and bold modern forms. I’ve always collected objects such as vintage trinkets and I’ve recently gotten my motorcycle license. My love for vintage motorcycles and the culture associated had me collecting Harley Davidson items. I’ve modified and recreated many flame inspired pieces using lost wax and sand casting methods. These panhead and shovelhead flame pieces along with many of my recycled statement items feel really on brand to who I am and how I want to be represented. The journey I’ve had with getting to where I am today has been a slow burn. Making and selling jewelry has been a part of my life in a more serious way since high school, helping me pay bills and have an healthy outlet. Woven thread, wire wrapping, electroforming, and lead free copper tape method have all been part of my past. In more recent years, as I pursued my degree in eco and art therapy; silver and gold took focus. Finding myself still today branching into new ways of working with precious metals and stones such as casting. While slow growth found its hardships it’s allowed me to maintain a fiery creativity within my production, pouring my soul and essence into each piece! My studio space is tucked within my over 100 year old home, creating intimacy in my craft. Lessons on budgeting, when to rest, how to advocate for my brand, sacrifice of social normative and how to dedicate precious time to learning were huge in my continued success. My biggest goal is to always challenge myself and allow who I truly am to shine, it feels like magic to spread glitter and gems wherever I go!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oooo love this question since I live in Boulder County, commuting into Denver daily. Thrifting, good eats, and murals are my favorite city activities which usually means strolls to Five Points neighborhood off Larimer, Baker neighborhood off South Broadway and then a visit to Meow Wolf. Other than a couple city stops for food, arts or specific activities I’m the type to get my family to the foothills or deep in the mountains as soon as possible. Ideally a hike within the Indian peaks and pizza at Crosscut followed by a skate at Ned’s skatepark would be the day after city shenanigans. Wake up early the following day and head south to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs, after hiking continue south to Valley View hot springs. Dip in the springs, sleep under the stars and wake the next day to Great Sand Dunes, explore the wonder and enjoy another night of camping. Head back up north for a chill day of Boulder views and hangs so you can top off the trip with Rocky Mountain National Park. If you have the time and you’re ambitious, adventurous and active like me you try and pack in as much time in Colorado’s wilderness as possible, typically visiting during Summer!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Oh how many people, places, plants, things, sounds, smells I’d like to thank for where I am right now. I’ve always been a rather large student of life, looking at the whimsy and magic offered everywhere just as much as the dismal despair. The love I have for living is so greatly influenced by music, spirituality, nature and eccentricity. Most notable, the oceans of New Jersey and the mountains of Colorado; as I’ve spent most of my years nestled in those two locations. What’s hard for me to always put in words is that I dip my toes in the multiplicities of life listening to everything from folk music to stoner metal, dressing in all black leather and chains to plant dyed hand crocheted rainbow wears, crisping my skin on beaches and hiking up the highest of mountain tops, drinking wine in European cities and shitty beer at American dives, crafting precise metal fabrications to playing with color and shapes in watercolor. There’s too much for me to credit but through it all I do want to most importantly thank my community, fellow artists live in a way that inspires me to be fully myself which in turn tends to inspire others to be who they authentically are! Although my childhood was quite tumultuous, both my parents always allowed me to explore who I was, loving me through every phase, pushing me to grow into every space I could. Truly my family and communities have encouraged me to show up with an open heart time and time again.

Website: https://Velvetmossmagic.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/velvetmossmagic?igsh=MWM2cjRxanVhZDV4aA==

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wildflowercosmictreasures/