Kat Kleinman

Biography

Kat Kleinman is a photo collage artist from the Sacramento, California area. She began her career as an artist in 2016, after she retired as a psychotherapist, working with homeless people for 20 years. Her past work is referenced because it does inform her current work with a focus on positivity and making people feel better with each new work.
Kat began by specializing in floral collages, because the individual flowers combine to create a new and cohesive form, reflective of the healing process. She takes her own photographs, which is important to Kat, unless a photo is donated by a personal friend. Each image is hand cut, a process she calls meditative, and a single photo collage may require dozens of flowers, succulents and/or leaves.

What’s your background?

My background is in working with homeless people for 20 years, which informs my work as an artist because they have similar goals - my intention is to make people feel better. 

What does it mean to you to win the Collectors Art Prize?

I am extremely excited and proud about winning the prestigious Collectors Art Prize! It’s confirmation that my hard work has made me an artist who is recognized for my achievements among excellent artists from around the world. I’m especially proud to receive an award from Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, because they consistently recognize the merit in the work of both new and more established talented artists. 

What do you think is the role of art in the world today?

We live in a contentious world that desperately needs art as a means to express emotions and communicate in a positive environment. 

What would it be if you could change one thing about the art world?

I would emphasize the need for young people in schools around the world to be exposed to art at an early age. I believe it provides the tools to understand and cope with what is happening around us every day.

What are your most significant professional achievements?

I am proud to have won the Power of Creativity Art Prize, and now the Collectors Art Prize, through Contemporary Art Curator Magazine, because they represent some of the greatest artists in the world. 

What do you wish to tell viewers about your work that might not come out explicitly? What do you hope to inspire with your artwork? 

The primary intention behind my photo collages is to evoke feelings of hope and positivity. I think many people are unaware that I take my own photographs, and that completion of an artwork demands hand cutting dozens of flowers, leaves and/or succulents for each collage.

What advice would you give to the upcoming generation of artists?

I would advise them to find avenues to reveal their artwork through digital exhibitions. This gives you access to a wide audience at a more affordable cost. 

In what direction would you like to see your career go in the next five years?

I am always exploring new variations of my photo collages in content and in unusual color palettes. I hope to become more well known for my talent, and to receive more respect for collage art, taking photos, cutting them out, and creating beautiful artworks by hand - I have not yet seen anything else similar to my process. 

Country United States

Website https://www.katkleinmanart.com/