About
Anahata
I don't know why cutting things apart to reassemble them has made the world right side up for me- but at times it has literally done just that. My artwork is often born out of necessity and continues to emerge through a series of impulses, triumphs and challenges. My artwork is gritty and often unripe. And I like it this way. I like that what I want to do feels just out of reach. That there isn't a pressure to preform and yet there is great satisfaction in the making of things...and the sharing of things. I like to play with a images and forms as a kind of symbolic alphabet. A language that can speak for me in ways I never could. I believe my artwork is versatile in it's meaning and I try and do that intentionally. I want people to overlay their own experiences and personal story to the meanings within the images, particularily with my illustrations. I guess that's my own little irony. I try very hard to create artwork for myself and nothing more. And when I succeed in getting out of my own way- I share it with the rest of the world. That's my formula.
BIO:
Anahata Katkin has developed her passion for the arts by trial-and-error discovery. Her work is a synergy between graphic design, painting and hand made, mixed media pieces. Anahata has woven a heart centered landscape of off-beat icons and illustrations that has comprised the prolific offering's of her co-founded arts company, PAPAYA! inc. since it's beginning in 2003. Her undeniable style is easily recognized. Heavily influenced by antique ephemera, Asian traditions and an emerging global culture; still Anahata's creative perspective remains progressive while absorbing gems from the past.
Anahata has been sharing her relaxed, hands on approach to artwork , design, workshops, inspirations and the pursuit of creative nectar through a celebrated & personal online journal, www.anahata.typepad.com.
Anahata is also Artistic Director of PAPAYA! inc. and is a regular contributor to the PAPAYA- LIVING BLOG (coming soon).
In 2003 my mother (Gina Katkin) and I launched a card line from 20 designs derived from my original journal pages. With my mom's super woman business savvy and her ability to dream big enough for the both of us, and my obsession with mixed media a and emerging design skills, off we went.
Our goal was to produce lively, inspirational images that would touch people on instinctive levels and enhance the greeting card market. We also wanted to follow no other business model we knew of. We decided to be bold, unpredictable and impulsive about how we grew and formed our business and it's contents.
We started- and still offer a unique visual perspective. With illustrations that challenge the current trends and offer an alternative to what is generally a predictable gift industry. We love to offer art, play and beauty in heaping spoonfuls of color & character.
Six years later PAPAYA! now boasts distribution in seven countries and thousands of dynamic retailers in the United States. We have been lucky enough to continue to pursue creative projects and ideas in our own ways and in our own timing. And now make far more than just greeting cards.
AT HOME:
On a personal level I have been able to enjoy the freedom to make art both for myself and for others. I continue to revel in new experience, places and artwork. I give thanks everyday for the many blessings that have mysteriously come to fruit in my life. (How cool is this!!!)
I currently just returned from living in Belize, Central America for a year. I'm still missing it and settling back in to life here again. Places like that don't let go of you easily. Now my heart lives in two places.
Ashland, Oregon is home base in the states for now. But a gypsy at heart, staying put is hard for me to do. My sweet nine-year-old boy, Rowan and I are staying busy in the studio with movies and paint and our cat named Bonzo...
To hang out please visit my blog and drop me your link in the comments if you have one too.
Because it takes one to know one!
