Meet Katharine Ryalls | Artist

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

Hi Katharine, how do you think about risk?
I have always approached significant decisions by deliberately selecting the option that terrifies me the most. I believe that if a choice or risk causes fear, it often represents the necessary challenge and opportunity for growth. Reflecting on the past 20 years, I’ve categorized my decisions into those where I embraced the “scary” path and those where I chose safety. I consistently find the most satisfaction and pride in the moments when I took the leap into the unknown and faced my fears.

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.
Art was a form of preservation for me in my youth. Dealing with health issues from 12 to 17, I found art to be my healing companion, a way to calm anxieties and find control in an otherwise overwhelming life. I pursued art not because I was talented, but because it saved me, and I craved more of that. I majored in art and painting in college, but didn’t immediately jump into it as a professional career. I worked at a university for a few years before moving to New Orleans, where I gradually entered moved into the arts by opening a dance and art studio with a business partner. During those years, I started sharing my work more and was fortunate enough to connect with a gallery and a community of artists.

I increasingly desired to give myself a chance to pursue art full-time without being spread too thin with the studio. It was a daunting decision to leave the business, but I was ready to take the risk and I made a commitment to myself to give it a go for at least 6 months. I participated in as many markets and shows as possible during that time, and day by day, I kept moving forward. Now, 11 years later, I’m still privileged to work in my passion. Leaving New Orleans in 2018 felt like leaving the “hustle” that was becoming more than I could keep up with. Returning to my rural roots and moving to a tiny house in the mountains allowed my art to become more aligned with nature, resulting in a more calming and fulfilling fit for my work.

While my original medium was oil painting, I’ve increasingly gravitated towards watercolor in recent years. I love how easily it travels with me, and there’s a beautiful looseness to it that I find incredibly satisfying.

I am constantly learning and evolving my work through continuous shifts and pivots. Recently, I’ve incorporated creating wooden watercolor palettes as part of my shop as well as oracle decks inspired by the beautiful flora, fauna, and landscapes of this region.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love the outdoors and there’s a ton of amazing trails to explore in this area, so many to choose from. I would definitely hike to one of the beautiful waterfalls around as well as enjoy a sunset on Roan Mountain or Beauty Spot. Red Fork for dinner one night in Erwin, as well as seeing Jenny and the Weazels one night at Mulligans Irish Pub in Johnson City. A gentle bike ride on the Tweetsie Trail is another recommendation. Of course the best nights end around the campfire under the stars with friends and family.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I am incredibly thankful for my partner, Jamie. He is the reason I moved from North Carolina to the beautiful mountains of East Tennessee. He is a musician and creator himself, and he has been a wonderfully supportive sounding board for my ideas and encourages me to keep making and creating, even when it gets hard. We both take a lot of pride and joy in our work, but it’s great that we can remind each other to take breaks and make time for walks in the woods – balance is so important and easy to forget!

Website: https://www.katryalls.com

Instagram: @kat_ryalls

Image Credits
Katharine Ryalls