Artist Of The Month

Spaces by Katie Harroff.

Parma is home to a great many talented individuals, artists, and craftsmen, both professional and amateur, who specialize in a variety of mediums. This article is the tenth in a series which will showcase a Parma area artist and introduce you to many of your talented neighbors.

Katie Harroff

Katie Harroff is a young area artist with multiple ties to the Parma area. She attended Parma Park Elementary School, has worked at the Parma-South Library for over 10 years, and is also employed at Shiloh Middle School.

As with most artists, her love of creating art began early at age five. Katie was later diagnosed with being on the autism spectrum. Many individuals with autism display special abilities in the areas of art and music, and have the ability to focus intensely on an area of interest. Although she is experienced with oils and other mediums, her favorite medium is acrylic paint.

Katie received her Bachelors of Arts degree in 2013 from Baldwin Wallace. Her work has been on display at several locations throughout Northeast Ohio. “Empty,” an oil painting, won Best in Show in the Baldwin Wallace Student Art Show in 2012. “Spaces” won Best of Show in the Independence Show in 2014. “Pancake Dreams” was featured on the front page of the Chagrin Sun News.

At age 15, Katie became a big fan of David Bowie. She found that he was not only a musician but also an artist as well. Her favorite Bowie quote is “I'm just an individual who doesn't feel that I need to have anyone qualify my work in any particular way I'm just working for me.” Katie said she can relate, “When I paint, I simply paint for the love of it. There may not always be a deep meaning behind it but what's important is that it strikes a chord with me. It's the journey and process of painting that I love and if you enjoy the process of it there's a good chance that you will be content with the outcome.”

In addition to Bowie she is inspired by Andy Warhol and Jean-Michael Basquiat. She loves Warhol's colors, repetition and subject matter. Warhol once said, “You need to let little things that would ordinarily bore you, suddenly thrill you.” Katie likes the challenge of taking mundane items and giving them life. Jean-Michael Basquiat also used bold vibrant colors to evoke energy. He once said, “The more I paint, the more I like everything.”

Katie said before she sketches out her painting she looks for a composition that intrigues her before she begins her process. Sometimes it's a miss and other-times it's a success. She looks for the beauty in everyday life. Painting gives her great pleasure and she finds happiness in sharing that with others. Some of Katie's paintings are currently on display at the Donna Smallwood Activities Center in the display case in the lobby. Stop in and experience her paintings first hand.

If you are an amateur or professional artist, living in the Parma area, or know of someone who is, and would like to be featured as an artist of the month, please contact me by email at kathrynmabin@att.net.

Kathryn Mabin

Board Secretary of Parma Area Fine Arts Council, Inc, or PAFAC, and Artist/Jewlery Designer, Owner Aire of Oppulence.

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Volume 7, Issue 4, Posted 11:30 AM, 04.01.2015