5 Questions with Art on the Walls artist Katie Koenig
Katie Koenig is one of the three artists featured in Eleven Stanwix’s new Art on the Walls exhibition program, which brings the work of Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council members to unconventional spaces throughout the region. Koenig is an acrylic artist who has been drawing and painting her entire life. Her work focuses on beautiful still-life paintings, ranging from a lifelike rendering of a chocolate chip cookie to joyful images of florals and butterflies.
Our communications intern recently spoke with Katie to learn more about her art and why she started.
What made you want to start creating art?
I knew that I wanted to be an artist from as young as five years old. It was something that I always was passionate about, and that desire never wavered. So it sort of took me awhile to figure out what I wanted to paint, and my work is changing again. But, as far as my food art goes, I just started to really have fun with it and connect different foods in my life with different people and different memories.
How long do your pieces usually take to create?
On average, my medium-sized pieces take about two weeks, but I do paintings as small as what I call my “mini paintings” on paper that are smaller than a quarter, so those can take me just a couple hours.
What does it mean to you to have your work displayed at Eleven Stanwix?
It’s such a beautiful building, and there’s so much light, and the aesthetic is just really lovely. It’s so nice to have my work out in the wild, as I call it, and allow it to be seen by tenants in the building and anyone who happens to wander by.
What have you learned as an artist?
So many things, I think that the more I create, the more I realize that art is so necessary. It’s necessary for the creators themselves to be able to express beliefs and thoughts and ideas, but it’s also necessary for the public and for society. We bring a lot of beauty to the world and a lot of connection.
Do you have any advice for a young artist just beginning their career?
It takes a lot of grit and perseverance to be an artist. But to realize that if you are looking for opportunities and you’re told “no,” that doesn't mean that it’s a no forever. That “no” could turn into a “yes” someday, so keep working on improving your craft and keep trying to get to where you want to be.
Katie Koenig’s work can be seen in the lobby of Eleven Stanwix, which is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and by appointment only on Saturdays and Sundays. All artwork is for sale, and artists receive 80% with each purchase. Learn more at pittsburghartscouncil.org/art-on-the-walls/eleven-stanwix