Talking New Beginnings with Catherine Chen

Multi-media artist Catherine Chen has recently traded Montreal for Glasgow, bringing with her a strong creative voice shaped by digital art, a distinct abstract style and bold colour. For the last five years Catherine's been exploring organic forms and experimenting with mixed media, blending graphic design with more traditional techniques. Beyond her visual practices, she also works as a theatre technician, creating posters for some of the productions she has worked on. Now in Glasgow, Catherine is discovering the multi-cultural, bustling city through it's arts scene and letting that journey shape her and her art.

You mentioned you’ve been an artist for as long as you can remember. How did your creative journey first take shape, and what led you towards working digitally over the past five years?

My mom is an artist as well and she’s always made sure that art was a large part of my life. She provided me with a lot of encouragement growing up to draw and paint as much as I wanted. I was always a casual artist but I remember taking AP Art classes in high school, where my teacher really pushed me to work outside of my typical style and consider myself more of a professional artist, rather than a hobbyist. The push towards working digitally was largely because I moved around a bit while I was in university, so I didn’t always have a large collection of supplies and a good workspace. I also got really into graphic design as I had to make a portfolio website at one point, and I really enjoyed the process of designing my work digitally. It exercises a different part of your brain, which I appreciated as a break in between doing more ‘traditional’ art.

A lot of your work incorporates abstract, organic shapes, and colour. What draws you to using those visual elements?

Earlier on, I think the reason why I worked abstractly was transparently because I lacked confidence in drawing and painting realism. I tried to work within the limits of my skills by trying to convey what I wanted to convey through other methods, such as purposefully using colour and various shapes. Now that I’m more developed as an artist, I still find myself drawn to abstraction because it provides a way to visually communicate with a bit more complexity. It takes a bit more planning and a lot more purpose; you’re not just drawing what you see, you’re trying to convey a feeling or a situation through more foreign shapes and objects. Working with colour is always a fun way to express volume in your work. Choosing a colour way or colour combinations that combine louder or softer tones is always a fun exercise, and is one of the reasons why I love working digitally - you can really see how, in one click, the changes that colour can make to your piece.

Talking New Beginnings with Catherine Chen

Tell us a little more about your creative process? How do you usually get started on a new piece?

A lot of my larger pieces start off as a form of experimentation. I find that with most of my pieces recently, I’ve been trying out something new with all of them. I view my creative process as a challenge to myself in many ways; what would it look like if I tried drawing this one thing I haven’t done before, or what if I layered my paints and ink in this particular way? I usually have a vision for the final product in mind as I’m creating, and I don’t often give myself a ton of flexibility. I like being able to execute what I see in my mind, which adds to the challenge. 

Do you approach mixed media projects differently than your purely digital pieces?

My digital pieces are definitely less planned and more sporadic; they usually start off as an idea and a way to teach myself a new skill in Photoshop, or they’re often ideas proposed by my friends that I want to try to execute. I find that for digital pieces, I get inspired to create them because of the people around me, so I often ask my friends for feedback as I’m going about the process. I suppose that makes the project a lot more collaborative, and I find that the end result is always quite different than what the initial idea was.

For mixed media, I work a lot more independently and I have a set end result in my brain that I’m just trying to execute in real life. Unless I’m working on a specific commission (which I rarely do if it’s not digital), I don’t like talking to others about what I make. I like to find pockets of time to work on my pieces and show up with an end result that no one has seen the process of.

Can you talk about your experiments with blending graphic design and more traditional mediums, what excites you about the blending of the two?

I started off combining digital and traditional mediums simply because I wanted to digitise my sketches so that they could live somewhere that wasn’t my sketchbook. Once I imported them into Photoshop, I realised that there was so much more I could do to give these small sketches a completely different life. I think my favourite thing about graphic design, and digital art as a whole, is the ability to undo. I find myself a lot more free to experiment when I’m working on a digital piece, and that makes blending traditional mediums with digital mediums that much more fun. I’m able to view my original sketch or piece in a very different way when I bring it into Photoshop or Illustrator. I think the thing that excites me the most about combining the two mediums is the ability to play around with colour and colour-grading. Decisions that used to give me headaches in high school are now not decisions at all, rather arenas to experiment. I definitely still have a lot to learn and a lot more to try out in this genre of art!

You’ve just moved from Montreal to Glasgow, how has exploring Glasgow’s arts scene helped you feel at home in a new city?

I remember I chose to move to Glasgow partially because of it's arts and music scene. Montreal is quite different to Glasgow in many ways, but I’ve come across many of the same types of art galleries, cafes, and exhibitions since I’ve been here! I think that exploring the arts scene in a new city can really help you see what the city is at its core. It helps you see what the people who actually live here are creating, and their interpretation of the spaces around them. Even seeing small things like hand-drawn postcards of Glasgow can show the level of love and care that artists here create with. I also think that the arts provide a much-needed ‘third space’ in any urban area, so it’s been really cool to see and explore the different community groups centred around art that exist in Glasgow.

Are there any differences or similarities you notice between the arts communities in Montreal vs. Glasgow?

Both Montreal and Glasgow are post-industrial cities, Glasgow definitely more so. It’s been really interesting to see the ways that the spaces that were meant for manufacturing have been repurposed to become creative hubs. Both cities have their fair share of warehouse galleries and performance spaces. In that same vein, the kind of art that occupies those spaces is also quite similar. I’ve found that artists in both cities really enjoy drawing what they see; favourite bars, restaurants, cityscapes, and landmarks occupy not only the galleries, but the poster shops and the little art stores.  I think that, in areas that may not be as spatially dense, such as the Southside, that community gatherings actually are more common. The same things can be said about Montreal’s Verdun or Saint-Henri neighbourhoods. I’ve found that more art-oriented organisations and markets happen in areas that, 100 years ago, were probably still factory/manufacturing neighbourhoods. As for differences, I’ve noticed that even Glasgow’s city centre has tons of local art and locally owned venues. In Montreal’s downtown core, it’s quite corporate, without many murals or installations that come from local artists.

Since moving to Glasgow have you found yourself drawn more to established institutions like galleries, or to grassroots and local artist spaces?

I’m definitely drawn more to grassroots and local artist spaces, as I find them a bit less intimidating than galleries. Seeing what is for sale in local coffee shops or stores has been the most enjoyable part for me so far. I really enjoy seeing what has organically grown from the arts communities, and I find that sometimes larger galleries can seem a bit too planned and cater to audiences that may not represent the local population. That being said, I do have quite a few museums on my list that I need to visit! I love that most museums here are free!

Is there a moment or encounter with art in Glasgow so far that has moulded your perspective on the city?

This may be stretching the question a bit, but I remember being just so in awe of the architecture here when I first arrived. Glasgow has a completely different urban makeup and building style than Montreal that really made my jaw drop. I remember seeing the Central Station for the first time (which is now part of my daily commute) and feeling so lucky that I now get to live here. I’m sure the sights become mundane after you’ve lived here for a while, but the intricate architectural style that truly lines every street is something I hope to never take for granted! 

Do you notice your artistic style changing when you move between cities, or does it remain constant no matter where you are?

It’s a bit hard to answer this question as I think that every big move I’ve had corresponds with a big life transition, so it’s hard to pinpoint if my style changes based on the city I’m in or just because I’m growing up. I think, at my core, my style is still very distinctly me; seeing old paintings from high school and comparing them to my work now, you can definitely see that they’ve been made by the same person. I don’t consciously incorporate elements of where I’m living into my art, but I think the memories I make and the things I do in each city definitely influence what I draw and what I’m initially pushed to create.

As a theatre technician, you’ve also designed posters for productions you’ve worked on. How does working in live performance influence your visual art practice?

I’ve always been really fascinated by posters and the creative process behind them. Most of the time, the poster doesn’t visually capture what the performance is about, unless you’re working very strictly. When I make posters for theatre pieces or concerts, I collaborate a lot with the director or the artists. It’s really interesting working with someone else on pieces like this because they become an almost equal part of the creative process. Seeing the creative choices they opt for allows me to see the piece through their eyes, as well as see the way they want to convey the essence of the piece visually. It’s always so interesting to see how others interpret the same work, and adding on this extra task of communicating the interpretation visually through a piece of promotional material is an experience I think is quite rare and very valuable as an artist.

Do you see your theatre work and visual art as separate creative worlds, or do they overlap in ways people may not expect?

I think that a lot of people don’t view the technical aspects of theatre as holding nearly as much weight as the actual performance. My favourite way to talk about what I do for work to those who aren’t familiar is to ask them to pull up a video of the best concert they’ve been to. When they realise that every light’s placement, colour, and cue-ing are all done in a very specific way, I think they can more understand the immense creative energy that goes behind technician work. I think I definitely work differently as a technician vs. as an artist, mainly because technician work is far more collaborative. Theatre is a lot more interdisciplinary than visual art, as you’re working with many different dimensions; lights, sound, set, costumes, and even time. But they’re not separate creative worlds at all. At the end of the day, you’re trying to convey a certain message and image that you have in your head. I see both processes as a way to execute an experience to the viewer.

Many people get to know a new city through landmarks, food, or neighbourhoods. How does starting with the arts scene offer a different perspective?

The arts scene offers an insight into the way that the real people in the city are living, in a way that accompanies landmarks and food. I think that seeing what kind of art style is popular currently, as well as seeing historical arts archives, can offer an insight into what the experience of living in the city is like. I always find it interesting to see what kind of souvenirs line the shops of a city’s more touristy spots vs. the more chill, residential neighbourhoods. What does the art style of the postcards say about the city? What kind of novelty appears on the keychains, and what is its significance? Many people think about arts and tourism as going to museums full of hundred-year-old paintings, but I think that intentionally taking a look at murals and smaller galleries can tell you a lot more about the history of the city, and offer a glimpse into the lived experiences of the citizens.

Do you think this arts-centric way of discovery makes the city feel more personal, less like a generic destination?

Definitely! Almost every city I’ve been to has an artist or a certain art style that is unique to that city. I know mural tours are a bit touristy, but they always provide a more personalised touch to the experience of the city. Seeing where art galleries are located and what kind of clientele they seem to serve also can say so much about the urban makeup and policies of the city you’re exploring. Aside from visual arts, I feel like you never want to miss a performance from a local band or theatre group. Visiting a city with the arts in mind can create a fuller and more memorable experience because you’re almost living life like a local in this way.

If someone reading wanted to try exploring a city this way, what advice would you give on how to start?

It’s hard to find things online for a city you’ve never been to that aren’t generic and touristy. I really like asking for recommendations from anyone and everyone. I remember, in my last few weeks in Montreal, I was talking to colleagues and strangers about their travels (most people, especially in theatre, have been to Scotland, as it turns out!). I also have no shame in going on Reddit and seeing what people have to say about where to go and who to see. Lastly, I would recommend going to a local cafe / library close to where you’re staying and really just reading every leaflet, poster, and handout. I’ve found out about a lot of cool events in Glasgow just because I stopped to read what was on the bulletin board at my local library.

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Quick Fire round 

What’s a city or place that’s on your ‘creative’ bucket list?

Hong Kong! I’ve always wanted to visit, a lot of artists in Montreal I’ve met have said it’s an awesome creative city!

A Montreal art space you still think about? And would recommend we visit

There’s an awesome organisation called My Friend Frankie / Mon Amie Frankie in Montreal @mon_amie_frankie that hosts a bunch of local markets and residencies in cafes/bookstores for local artists! If you’re ever in Montreal, take a look on their Instagram and pop into one of the cafes that they’re currently displaying at!

Tell us your current obsession outside of art?

I’ve been listening to a lot of The Leanovers recently. I actually discovered them a while back in Montreal, and just learned they are originally from Glasgow! Maybe it’s a sign that I’m in the right city ;)

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Check out Catherine's work!

Catherine's Instagram

thank you so much to Catherine for reaching out to be a part of the Stamp community!