Q&A with Local Artist, Kate Comen

We sat down with one of our artist at Affordable Art of Charleston for a quick Q&A! Kate is an emerging artist in the Charleston area and we could not be more proud to represent her work. Kate’s use of color and whimsical subjects brings vibrancy to our gallery walls. Read the interview below to learn more about Kate’s background and process!

Tell us a little about yourself!

 I was raised here in Charleston and went to school at Clemson University, where I got my BFA in Visual Arts. I moved back to Charleston after graduating in May of 2019 and started to further pursue my art career! I have a studio at Redux, which is downtown Charleston. 

Tell us how you found your love for art?

I’ve loved art for as long as I can remember! I grew up drawing in my sketchbooks for fun and always knew I wanted to pursue a career that involved some creativity/artistic ability. Later on in high school realized that I wanted to make a career out of painting. 

How would you describe your art?

I would describe my art as abstract with some realistic elements! No matter the subject matter, I try to create compelling color schemes that draw your eye in. I always want to create something that I would hang in my own home!

What inspires you?

I find most of my inspiration in my surroundings! Whether it’s in fashion, buildings, or anywhere, I usually make a mental note of the color combination to use as inspiration for a painting. 

Which artists inspire you?

When I first realized I could make a career out of painting, it was after I started following along with Lulie Wallace on Instagram. I loved how loose she is with her paintings and how she went on to advance in the textile industry. That would be a major goal of mine! I also interned for Raven Roxanne last summer and really got to see how she runs her business while creating beautiful paintings!

What do you love about working in the Charleston Art Community?

There are so many amazing artists here in Charleston. It’s awesome knowing that so many artists here are so successful and I feel like I get to follow in their footsteps. The Charleston Art Community is also so supportive! 

How does Charleston inspire you?

Charleston inspires me so much because of all of the architecture and colors found throughout the city. There is so much creativity here that inspires and pushes me to grow as an artist. 

What do you love about showing your work at Affordable Art of Charleston? 

I love the personal feeling of showing my art in a boutique gallery. Being surrounded by a group of very talented artists is inspiring.

What is your current favorite piece that you have done?

My favorite piece that I’ve done recently is a commission actually! I have a lot of fun painting landscapes and I really like how this one turned out. 

Shop Kate Comen’s available work at Affordable Art of Charleston!