We had the good fortune of connecting with Katherine Shark and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katherine, is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
While in college, my roommate said to me while we were discussing the stress of internship applications, that she likes to “collect rejections.” She said that if she collects as many rejections as possible, it means that she’s applying to many opportunities. I found that mindset to be incredibly freeing – whenever I find myself stressed about an application, a submission, or a project, I think about it as an opportunity to collect rejections – I want to gather as many rejections as I can in my life, because it means that I am continuing to try, continuing to move forward. Statistically, I certainly won’t receive 100% rejections in my life, so the more rejections I collect, the more acceptances and successes I will collect alongside them. While this comment was made in passing, it fundamentally changed how I viewed risk taking and putting myself out there as a creative.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I work teaching sewing lessons at a local studio, and as a clerk in a library. I’ve learned a lot about work / life balance along the way, and a lot about integrating my artistic practice into my career. I spent the first year and a half out of college working some soul-sucking day jobs – a series of retail positions and barista gigs, for a variety of large scale corporations that made me dread waking up in the morning. I questioned whether or not I would ever “make it” as an artist or an academic.

I was lucky enough to eventually, with patience, turn my creative practice as a seamstress and artist into a career through my teaching, working with students of a variety of ages to learn anything from how to thread a machine and how to construct 1950s couture level dresses. I was also lucky enough to be able to supplement that job with another, at the library, which leaves me fulfilled and energized. The reality of life is that money is essential – many of us will spend a good chunk of our careers as artists working day jobs of some sort. I spent so long trying to reject that idea, viewing myself as a failure for needing to have another “non-artistic” job in order to get by – but at the end of the day, working a part time job to make things work doesn’t make me less of an artist. Having the tenacity to continue to create art, no matter what job I’ve worked, is if anything a testament to my creative practice. There is no timeline to follow or standard of success to meet – what matters is if you are continuing to create, and continuing to move forward, in any way you can.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I live in the Bay Area, just outside of San Francisco – so obviously we would be spending time there! I would take them to see the de Young and the SF MoMA, as well as walking through Golden Gate park for a while. Thrifting at Relic Vintage is a must, as is Green Apple Books and a quick stop at Philz Coffee. We could walk Land’s End trail as well, going down to the beach to enjoy the freezing wind and the fog. And of course- an afternoon at Alcatraz (it’s touristy but it’s great!).

A fantastic day trip would be down to Monterey, to see the otters at the aquarium and the beautiful jellyfish room specifically. If we felt brave enough (and had wetsuits), we could go surfing for a bit at some of the local beaches as well!

In my hometown of Palo Alto, I would want to have a fancy breakfast at Mademoiselle Collette’s, then stop at Bell’s Books to browse. Dinner at Oren’s Hummus and then Stanford Theatre is the evening activity – the live organ accompaniment is phenomenal! If a movie isn’t the vibe, the drop in figure drawing classes at the Art Center would be a fantastic option. On another day, we could get supplies from Piazza’s grocery store, and take it up to Foothill’s park for a picnic, or even spend the night camping there.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you to all of my friends, who have supported me through all the tough times – your friendship and support has kept me sane through it all.

 

Website: katherineshark.com

Instagram: katherine.shark

Image Credits
Evelyn Ivy

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