The Hoot n Holler Creation Station at Bent Paddle Mondays

I've been hearing a lot this year about Jakob Mahon and his New Salty Dogs' ongoing command of the stage at Bent Paddle on Monday nights. Two weeks ago I finally made it, returninng again this past Monday. With the advent of nice weather Bent Paddle opened its outdoor and turned the adjacent space into a Happening. 

In addition to the music and dancing, there were booths around the stage occupied by vendors and other creative spirits. One of these tents, manned by Kat Ford and Ayana Greene, has been dubbed the Hoot 'n Holler Creation Station. Essentially Ford and Greene created a collaborative "live art" space, for both children and adults to contribute some of their own creative expressions onto large canvases.

Last night I finally caught up with Kat Ford to learn a little more about their Creation Station and the role of art in her life and career.

"Ever since I was a kid I've been curious about live painting," Ford said. When she was vending at the Salty Dog shows on Monday nights, she says, "I was taken aback by the energy." This prompted her to seek out a second venue so that now you can see her work at The Rathskellar on Tuesdays. In adition she has also painted live in various other places. 

When I asked what happens to the paintings they have been producing at their Bent Paddle Creation Station, she indicated that all the paintings will be on sale Next Monday the 21st at Bent Paddle. Since the art was a group production, she and Ayana did not feel right keeping the money for themselves. "All the paintings will be on sale the 21st as a fund raiser for Valley Youth Center," Ford explained. "In the meantime, they've been a blessing in our living room. When we look at them we reminisce on the stories that go with them."

Though she'd dreamed of painting since childhood, she applied for college seeking a high caliber art school. As it turns out she was accepted by her dream school but even with scholarships the cost of college in L.A. was out of reach. 

"I did some classes at UMD when I was in high school," she said, adding that "my other passion is taking care of people. So I applied to nursing school instead... and just graduated in May." She's excited about her nursing career and plans to coninue making art on the side 

I asked if she has a personal philosophy about creativity and Ford replied "Yes" in a thoughtful sort of way. "Creativity is a gift that can be very healing but it can also be very obsessive. It is easy to corrupt your creativity when you attach money to it. (For this reason) I keep some of my creativity in a personal space that is private." 

When asked about the biggest challenges when it comes to creating public art, she said, "Keeping the creative batteries full. Sometimes the pressure of doing public art leaves you running on fumes." 

On the practical said, when doing live painting with children and groups, it involves paying attention. The canvases are an imagination playground, but some children are shy about making marks on the painting. For the most part, however, many people just love rolling up their sleeves. "Public art is magical and motivational," Ford said.

To see more of Kathryne Ford's art, visit the Rathskellar. To see Kat in action, visit the Rathskellar on Tuesday evenings. Monday the 21st will be the last night for their Creation Station at Bent Paddle.

You can see more of her work on Instagram @Blend_the_Sunshine. She'll also be at a couple shows this fall... to be announced.

A few tools of the trade.