What is The Art Table?
I’m so glad you asked!
In short, it’s my same studio newsletter where I share exclusive access to art releases, sales, local events, and journal updates. It’s also an outlet for me to share any creative musings (think northern Michigan nature + culture, books, interiors, film photography, fashion, podcasts, playlists, you name it) and the behind the scenes process of my work. In time, I hope to include more art prompts + tips as well. A virtual art table, if you will!
In long, keep reading…
Growing up, my mom worked as an art teacher. As you can imagine, our house was chock full of art supplies, inspiration fueled by mom’s creativity. Our dining table wasn’t so much for eating as it was for art making. Now as a mom myself, I understand how handy art projects come in when you’re trying to entertain children during Midwest winters!
Not surprisingly, art class was my favorite subject in school. Of course I loved creating and using my hands, but it was more than that. In your main classrooms, you sat at individual desks, all facing the teacher. In art class, you sat at a large table, all facing each other. Once the demo was over, you got to work. Sometimes quietly drawing while listening to a class playlist, other times joking around while mixing paint. Even in ceramics, two lines of wheels all faced each other, sharing a bench for tools and water buckets. In other words, sitting at the art table was my happy place. It was a community I always felt I could be myself, and I sensed my classmates felt that too.
Fast forward to January 2020. I’m living in Traverse City, Michigan. I’m a working artist. I’m making plans to move into my first art studio that isn’t a corner of my house/apartment. The best part? It’s large enough to fit my parents’ old dining table. The dining table that hosted late night homework sessions, piles of laundry, sister + girlfriend convos, Christmas eve dinner place settings for 12, and the aforementioned all consuming art projects.
I immediately started dreaming of hosting dinners, workshops, art shows, you name it, gathering around this table. Needless to say, I’ve been a bit slow to carry out some of these plans. For starters, the pandemic was a bit of a barrier. And a lot has changed since then. We welcomed a baby girl into our family in January, 2021(!), we welcomed a baby boy in August, 2022(!!), and in March 2023 I moved into a larger studio (don’t worry, the table came with).
Now, something I’ve left out. Community and gathering are a big source of inspiration for me. Many of my painting collections are literally representative of people gathering at the beach or around a table, sharing a meal or cup of coffee. And even when they aren’t, I somehow find a way to incorporate community into the story I’m telling.
That’s where this newsletter comes in. It’s a place for me to share the inspiration and story behind my work, and share your inspiration and stories too. Hopefully not too far in the future, I’ll host gatherings at my art table IRL. But while I patiently wait for that season, I’m excited to continue fostering a virtual community here.
Welcome to The Art Table! Thanks for joining me.
Artist Bio:
Katherine Corden Bellisario (b. 1991) is a fine artist living in Traverse City, Michigan with her husband and two young children. In her work, she is best known for her unique expression of the figure and use of color. She attributes much of her influence to her art teaching mother who started her in early art classes, as well as her background in studying anatomy while pursuing her first career as a physical therapist. Her lifestyle and creative work have blended over the years, and much like mixed paint, the two have become inseparable.
Artist Statement:
Painting is my preferred way of meditating on, and responding to, the energy and nostalgia found in the nature and social culture around me. I paint relationships. The relationship between colors, between me and the paint. The relationship between family and friends, humans and nature. Community really. I explore these themes through a variety of subjects, with the common goal of inspiring you to feel transported and connected.
To get a feel for my work, head to www.katherinecorden.com and follow me on Instagram, Pinterest and Spotify if that’s your thing. And please subscribe for free below!
