Catelyn Perkins

Year of birth: 2000
Where do you live: Savannah, GA
Your education: (2022) BFA Painting with a minor in Fibers from Savannah College of Art and Design
Describe your art in three words: provincial, reminiscent, organic
Your discipline: Fine Artist – painting & fiber arts
Website | Instagram

How has growing up in the countryside influenced your artistic vision and subject matter?

In one of my first painting classes, I learned the importance of painting what you know and painting it life-size. My immediate instinct was to paint cows, because they were a familiar part of my daily life before I moved to Savannah. The open pastures, the winding back roads, and even the trees of the farm where I grew up were all significant influences too. Growing up in this environment not only inspired my work but also instilled in me a deep appreciation for the natural world. As a result, my art reflects the beauty of rural landscapes and the connection I was taught to have with the earth we live in.

Your work blends different media, from painting to fibers. How do these two forms of expression complement each other in your practice?

I like to approach the creative process of each in different ways, with each being an outlet to explore new techniques and ideas. Both revolve around color and visual art, but what I love about both is how they engage different parts of my mind.

Painting allows me to enjoy the process of studying an image closely, recreating it, and interpreting its colors and shapes in a more literal way. When it comes to fibers, particularly weaving, I find it allows me to break down complex images into simpler forms, which is  something I struggle with in painting or drawing. Weaving gives me a unique way to explore  shape and color in a more abstract way, which I find really freeing. On the other hand, working with natural dyes brings another level of connection to my art. I love the idea of using the same plants I might paint pictures of to create dyes, transforming them into colors that I can incorporate into fabric— so it’s like painting, but in a different form.

Moving forward, I’m excited to keep pushing myself to explore even more mediums because the possibilities for creating are endless.

Catelyn Perkins, In The Porch Light, 2022

In your project statement, you mention exploring nostalgia. Can you share a specific memory or experience that deeply influences your work?

When I think of nostalgia and my art practice, a core childhood memory immediately comes to mind. I was very young when my great-grandmother passed away, and around the same time my aunt did too. I vividly remember sitting in the backseat of my mom’s car as we drove down a winding road. The sun was setting, casting the most vibrant shades of pink, purple, and blue across the sky. My mom told my sister and I that our loved ones, who had gone to be with Jesus, were up there painting the sky for us. That image has stayed with me ever since. Even now, whenever I witness a stunning sunrise or sunset, I’m reminded of that moment. Though I know it’s not how the sky actually changes colors, I still find comfort in the idea. God is creative, and He made us to be creative, too—so I like to imagine Him painting the sky, reminding us of the beauty and connection between heaven and earth.

How does your connection to nature and the landscapes around Savannah, GA,
manifest in your paintings and textile pieces?

I first moved to Savannah to go to college, and was drawn there by its beautiful landscape and the unique feeling of being immersed in nature, even within the city. Nature has always been my inspiration: the vibrant trees, flowers, and plants, each so captivating. I’m constantly trying to capture that beauty and engage with it through my art. The environment we live in shapes us, and I believe setting plays a crucial role in our stories and who we become. Places hold memories and tell stories, just like art does. After living in Savannah for six years, the city has become an integral part of me. Its many special locations continue to inspire me as I grow, and Savannah will always be a part of who I am and therefore will probably always show up in my art.

Catelyn Perkins, Kudzu Rd., 2020

You emphasize the importance of personal memories in your art. How do you decide which moments to immortalize in your work?

The previous mentioned class where I was encouraged to paint what I know and to paint on a large scale took place in 2020. At the time, I hadn’t been home to our 20-acre property in months, and my parents had just told me they were selling the farm and moving to the Gulf Coast. After that, much of my work became a way of processing the loss of that home, which felt like a part of my identity. I don’t think I consciously choose which moments to try to immortalize; it’s more about recreating whatever I’m missing or longing for in the moment, whether through a sketch, a painting, or weaving. Often, I don’t even realize what I’m processing while I’m creating, but later, the act of creating helps me understand my emotions more clearly.

As someone who incorporates both fine art and fiber art, do you approach each medium with a different mindset or do they merge seamlessly?

Both painting and weaving serve as creative outlets for me, but I approach them in very different ways. With painting, my goal is to capture an image more literally, focusing on representing it as it is. There’s a special feeling that comes from mixing colors and experimenting with different brushes. The experience changes dramatically depending on the scale I’m working on—painting something small feels completely different from tackling an 8-foot-tall canvas, which I’m currently working on. Each size presents its own challenges and rewards, but both are equally exciting in their own way. I love the fine detail of small pieces, while larger works let me fully immerse myself in the physicality of painting. Weaving, on the other hand, offers a meditative experience as I break down colors and textures, enjoying the rhythm of the loom. Each practice brings its own unique joy, and I appreciate them for the different creative processes they allow me to explore.

Catelyn Perkins, Handwoven Textile 5, 2024

How has your education at the Savannah College of Art and Design shaped your technique and approach to art?

I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today, nor have the same understanding of how to use my tools, without the classes I took at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). In fact, I probably wouldn’t have even been introduced to fibers if it weren’t for my time at SCAD. I decided to minor in fibers during my sophomore year, just to try it out, and instantly fell in love the moment I started weaving by hand. That same year, I also painted with oils for the first time. My experience at SCAD really pushed me out of my comfort zone, encouraging me to explore new mediums and embrace experimentation, even when it meant facing challenges. I started discovering what I truly enjoyed creating, and I found that the process of making art—even in my homework—helped me work through a lot of personal experiences. I’m incredibly grateful for my time there, especially for the professors who saw my potential, encouraged me, and offered invaluable wisdom for both my life and career.

Catelyn Perkins, Coan Dr., 2022