When the going got tough, Cate Kennedy turned to art. She sat down with Caitlyn Morgan to discuss how she found tranquillity through creating art. Picture: Carmel Zaccone
WELCOMING, kind and bubbly is exactly how many who know Cate Kennedy would describe her.
While she is most definitely all those things, there is also another side of her that is the reason art is such an important part of her life
Cate first discovered her creative talent while still in school.
“I remember always being interested in the arts and Mrs Rhodes at Merbein Secondary College was an amazing art teacher,” she says.
“In Year 12, I was the arts leader and was involved in putting together the end of year expo.
“It was held at the Moorabbin Exhibition Centre, it was a real eye opener and very inspirational.”
With the arrival of her first child, Hunter, Cate put her art career on the “back burner”.
“I needed to support my family so worked an office job then after moving back to Mildura, I studied beauty as I loved the creative side of it,” Cate says.
The birth of her second child Raiden saw Cate face a new challenge, a challenge that would later be the reason she turned back to art.
“Anxiety sunk in,” she says.
“Just after learning to deal with it, I discovered I was pregnant with my youngest Sage.
“At the time I was working in a salon and as soon as I found out I was pregnant panic set in and I was a ball of stress. I knew I had to find a way to find peace and tranquillity again.”
Cate recalls the day she picked up all of her “art things” that had been packed away for many years.
“It became my form of meditation, it takes my mind off everything and I can just focus on that,” she says. “Instead of worrying about things I can’t control, it directs my mind to where it needs to be.”
From paint pouring to lichtenberg fractal burning, Cate isn’t afraid to experiment.
“I had always wanted to try my hand at paint pouring so I researched what I needed and thought why not give it a go,” she says.
“I always loved science so combining the two was the perfect combination.
“Paint pouring then became my first love. While there was a lot of trial and error, well a lot of errors, I enjoy being able to experiment and see what works.”
Cate admits it is the mystery of paint pouring that she loves the most.
“You never know how it will turn out and often the accidents or mistakes turn out to be the prettiest ones,” she says.
“It can actually be quite therapeutic.”
It was after seeing a video online that Cate decided to give lichtenberg fractal burning a go.
“It was definitely scary the first time, we had our safety boots on, a rubber mat and a few extra helpers, we still take every safety precaution possible,” she says. “It’s quite magical to watch but dangerous. The patterns remind me of the river and creeks, which is what I like about it.
“You can never predict what is going to happen, similar to if lightning was to hit a tree.”
While Cate’s children don’t get involved in the lichtenberg fractal burning, they do love to be involved in the paint pouring.
“The kids will often come out and get involved,” she says.
“They enjoy it as much as I do and it’s something we can all do as a family.”
In the near future Cate would like share her passion by hosting paint pouring workshops.
“I would love to show other people just how therapeutic it can be and hope they love it as much as I do,” she says.
While her artwork can only currently be bought online, she has plans to have a stall at various local markets.
To keep up to date with Cate and view her artwork, visit www.instagram.com/catekennedyart.
