Yarn bomb at High Museum by Katie
“I am one of those people who can make anything!,” Katie Bush, 26, proclaims on her website. After a few clicks around to view her chalk art, sign designs, hand-painted logos, murals and more, it’s clear she’s speaking the truth.
A Mableton, Ga. native and University of Georgia grad currently residing in Old Fourth Ward, Bush works as a full-time freelance artist—her local client roster includes Simply Seoul Kitchen, Indie Craft Experience and Westside Provisions District Farmers Market, plus she’s collaborated with nonprofits like Murmur and Safety Harbor Art and Music Center. In between that, she’s run a successful blog for art teachers, published a children’s book and, most recently, embarked on a solo cross-country road trip while documenting the slew of amazing experiences she’s had over on her Instagram.
CommonCreativ talked to Bush about what she’d like to see from the local arts scene, the secret club she started and that one time she lived with an experimental community in the Sonoran desert.
CommonCreativ: What sparked your interest in art?
Katie Bush: I was kind of a nerd in high school and didn’t find my niche with the cliques, so I became that weird kid who channeled all of her energy and time into art. It was more therapeutic for me then, and I found solace in the fact that I was good at something. I love working with teens now because I can help them develop this coping mechanism—this gift.
Photo by Albert Bush
CC: Which medium did you start with, and how did you gravitate to others like chalk and zines?
KB: I started with ink drawings and acrylic paintings in high school. I carried a copy of Stolen Sharpie Revolution (a book on how to make zines) with me everywhere. In college, since I was getting an Art Education degree, I had to take a little of everything— if you’re going to teach it, you have to know how to do it! College was great because it let me really dive into new materials. I couldn’t get enough. I would read art history books every night before bed and teach myself things beyond what they did in the classroom: mosaic, metalsmithing and more. I started doing chalk art about three years ago after I helped organize a large chalk festival in Marietta, Ga. I didn’t start doing zines until more recently than that, up until then I didn’t feel confident enough. I’ve been doing yarn bombs for a few years, too. Most of my art is ephemeral, meaning that it only exists for a small amount of time: chalk melts, yarn disintegrates and paper decays. I didn’t set out to create ephemeral art, it just kind of happened.
Chalk mural + Photo by Katie Bush
CC: Describe your artistic style in one sentence.
KB: My art is a fluid expression of dynamic decay.
Katie Bush
CC: What inspires you?
KB: Art that you can experience. Art that gives you something unique and evokes feelings. Pedro Reyes’ Sanitorium was one of the most inspiring experiences I ever had. I recently visited a museum in Kansas City that had the work of Amir Fallah on display— it evoked a strong sense of wonder and nostalgia for me. It’s one thing to visit a place and view art, but it’s a completely different to actually feel it within you, in your soul.
CC: Tell me about this road trip you’re on.
KB: I feel like this year has been really difficult for me and for people close to me. I decided to take some time to reconnect with myself and rejuvenate my soul. Several weeks ago, I packed up my essentials and just started driving. I had no plan. It’s been the most amazing and unpredictable journey I’ve ever been on. I’ve seen some amazing things and met so many amazing people, I think everyone should do this at least once in their lifetime. My highlights include hanging out with drag queens in a New Jersey forest, skydiving in Houston, participating in a Hindu festival and feast in Taos, and living with an experimental community in the Sonoran desert.
CC: What have been some of your greatest achievements as an artist?
KB: One of the things I’m most proud of is starting the Dream Warriors Artists (secret) group on Facebook. It’s got over 700 artists from all over the world (most from Atlanta) in it and we use it to promote our shows, upcoming opportunities for women artists, art supply exchanges, weekly meet-ups and more. It’s been wonderful to connect with such talented ladies all over the city!
Nostalgia Zine Cover
CC: Who are some of your favorite fellow artists in Atlanta?
KB: Audrey R. Troceen, Ashley Anderson, Jessi Queen, Rachel Siegfried Phillips, William Massey and Monica Alexander. They are all such lovely people, aside from being extremely talented, and I admire them all greatly. I have so many more people that I could write here, but they wouldn’t all fit!
CC: What do you think about the current state of Atlanta’s art scene? What do you like most about it and what can be improved?
KB: This is a really difficult question because it’s so subjective, I think what I like most about Atlanta’s art scene is that it’s vibrant and apparent in the city (there’s art everywhere!), but I feel like it still has progress to make when it comes to highlighting more women artists in the city. Let’s diversify!
Choose ATL mural at General Assembly
CC: What’s next for you?
KB: The fall chalk circuit is gearing up—I did Marietta Chalktoberfest on Oct. 10. [Now I’m in] Florida for a month to do festivals and, in between, I’m collaborating with a friend and we’re turning a bus into a mobile art studio.
CC: Why do you make art?
KB: I have this uncontrollable urge to constantly create and make and do.
For more on Katie, you can check out her website, Instagram and zines.
