Our interview with upcoming Torontonian artist: Kathryn Macnaughton

Courtesy of Kathryn Macnaughton

Her provokingly surreal artwork has been praised by some of the world’s hottest magazines. But Kathryn Macnaughton started her career in the classrooms at O.C.A.D. like so many other starving artists today. Her mix of collage, photography and illustration come together in wildly imaginative pieces with frisky scribbles and geometric patterns. The Cowgirls caught up with her to talk about her inspiration and how she’s making her mark as an artist in Toronto.

Courtesy of Kathryn Macnaughton

Pony: You use both collage and illustration in your work. How do you decide where to use each?

Kathryn: It always depends on what the project is. I use collage when it’s appropriate. I always come up with the concept first before going into my archive of magazines. If nothing fits, then I rely on my drawing as the primary skeleton of the work and add in skin tones etc. from old photographs.

Pony: Your pieces are quite surreal! Where do you get your inspiration?

Kathryn: Vintage magazines. I really love old playboys! I have a large collection.

Pony: Is there a particular period of interest to you? Vintage wise?

Kathryn: The 60s and 70s. I love the saturated colours. I’ve always been inspired by pop artists such as David Hockney, Guy Bourdin, Ed Ruscha, Andy Warhol, and Robert Rauschenberg so I think that’s where my fascination with the 60s and 70s began.

Pony: Explain to us what Filthy Rautten is.

Courtesy of Kathryn Macnaughton

Kathryn: My very talented and beautiful friend is a DJ, Kristen Leeder (a.k.a. DJ Filthy Gorgeous). I’ve always done the artwork for her flyers and she used to do a night with another DJ named Rautten. So these were a collaboration of their names really. It’s a lot of fun. I get to be as provocative as I want because there are no rules or guidelines.

Pony: Where can we find your other works? Do you work on commission?

Kathryn: I’ve done some editorial work for clients such as More Magazine, Report on Business, Cent Magazine. I’ve also done some graphic design work; such as Anjulie’s album cover and a few other websites. I’m so excited! Just today I finished up a series of 18 x 24 silkscreen prints of my Filthy Rautten posters for a gallery in Brookyn, NY. I’ll keep you posted on when they’re listed.

Pony: You’ve obviously come a long way since graduating from Illustration at O.C.A.D. How have you changed since then?

Kathryn: I think it’s important not to limit yourself to the execution of your work. Art, illustration and graphic design have really merged together recently. I’m beginning to see them overlap more and more. I don’t like to think of myself as just an illustrator and I’m open to doing anything art related.

Courtesy of Kathryn Macnaughton

Pony: What are some exhibitions you’ve been to lately?

Kathryn: I recently saw Urs Fischer’s exhibition at The New Museum in N.Y. and loved it! I also really admire Steve Harrington, Will Sweeney, Bjorn Copeland and Shaun O’dell just to name a few.

Pony: Have you found it difficult to get recognized as an artist in Toronto?

Kathryn: That’s a hard question to answer… I’m not sure. I’m still in the process of getting my work out there. I recently left my 9 to 5 job to focus on creating my own opportunities. Ask me again in a few months!!

Courtesy of Kathryn Macnaughton

Check out more of Kathryn’s artwork on her website here.

XoXo
– The Cowgirls