When artist Caitlin McDonagh moved to Powell River in November 2014 with her boyfriend and fellow artist, a big part of her plan was to focus on her art more. Now, the better part of two years later, she is working full-time on detailed and colourful paintings influenced by Eastern European culture, textiles and patterns, which have been featured in showings in Vancouver, Portland and her hometown of Victoria. McDonagh’s work is a vibrant form of visual storytelling and, according to the artist, has developed over the past two years as she has been able to focus more and more on her paintings.
Tell us about your style of art?
It’s very illustrative and story-based, and every piece illustrates a story. I’m definitely inspired by other illustrative art, as well as folklore from different cultures.
How do you push yourself as artist to grow?
Even just having the time to do it now helps. In Victoria, I was working 40 hours a week, so I would only paint on weekends or after work, but I was so exhausted all of the time. Just having the time to dedicate to the art is awesome. It’s hard being your own boss and it can be overwhelming, but it has allowed me more time to focus on the art, and more time with each painting.
How else has your art changed over the past couple years?
When I first started putting more time into it in Victoria, about five years ago, it was way more simple. I was doing lots of black and white ink pieces, but now I’m cramming so many colours into each piece. I’m exploring the ideas of having as many colours and patterns as I think will work, and actually trying to eliminate lots of white space. So there’s a new complexity in my drawings.
How has living in Powell River changed your art?
I’ve slowed down, in general. The way I go through the process is more relaxed and having the environment of Powell River, where your lifestyle does slow down compared to Victoria, has a positive impact. It’s definitely a good change of pace.
What’s your favourite piece that you have done lately?
It’s a piece I did called “The Mountain,” and it was actually supposed to be in a show I just did in Portland, but I left it at home in my scanner. It was my favourite piece in the show, but it didn’t make it. It’s a female form shaped like a mountain, and the mountain is her dress, and it’s the first piece exploring a new theme of people represented in the symbology of mountains.
For more info, go to caitlinmcdonagh.com.
