Artist to start selling pieces
Katie Werner of Coshocton is pictured with a few pieces of her artwork. She is taking commissions for art pieces from the community starting this month. Artwork in the photo is not for sale.
COSHOCTON – If you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind art piece for your home or as a gift, Katie Werner of Coshocton may have just what you’re looking for. Werner has been an aspiring artist her whole life and will be accepting commissions for art pieces beginning this month.
“I’ve been around art my entire life,” she said. “My mother is actually the one who influenced me. She’s an art teacher at Coshocton High School. She told me a story about the time I created art as a three year old that other toddlers probably wouldn’t do.”
Although art has been a hobby for Werner all her life, she didn’t really start getting serious about her artwork until about 10 years ago. She received her degree in computer animation and game design, but decided to go back to school.
“It was fun, but it just didn’t fulfill what I wanted,” she said.
In addition to her previous degrees, Werner has a bachelor’s degree in art education with a minor in theater. She has been a visiting artist at local school districts where she has taught a variety of art techniques to the students.
Other artists have taken notice of Werner’s art. In 2013, at Kent State University’s exhibit entitled, “Dual Identities”, Werner’s piece “Saved by the Bell” was awarded third place.
“It was pretty exciting for me because there were other art teachers there doing art far beyond my experience,” said Werner. “I called it ‘Saved by the Bell’ because it reminded me of all the different colors and crazy shapes you saw at the beginning of the ‘Saved by the Bell’ show.”
However, this piece went far beyond what Werner had ever expected. It was featured on a post card advertising the Student Jury Art Show at Kent State University Stark campus in May 2014 where it won second place at a jury show two years before.
She also recently created a Scottie dog collage made completely out of magazine clippings for Frazeysburg Elementary.
“When I asked her (Werner) for a donation for our spring festival, she didn’t hesitate,” said, Rebecca Norris, Principal of Frazeysburg Elementary. “She wanted to make a piece that would be popular to help raise money for our project. When she brought the picture in for the auction, we were all very excited. Then when she explained the tedious work it took to create it, we were even more excited. To spend over 50 hours creating something for a school auction is an incredible generous act.”
Werner’s goal is to become a nationally-known artist. Werner’s art medium includes paintings, drawings, photography, as well as working with wood, metal, and plastics for sculptures.
“I want to be able to have my work displayed somewhere where it’s going to leave a positive impression on someone,” she said.
Werner currently has pieces she would like to sell, but is also working on commission. If you have an idea for an art piece you would like, you can contact her via her Facebook page, Katie Wrae, which can be found under the Pages tab on Facebook by searching “Katie Wrae”. Most of her work featured on her Facebook page can be sold. She can also be contacted by email at katiewraecreations@gmail.com or 740-260-2104.
“I think my big thing is, it’s peaceful for me,” she said about why she enjoys art. “It’s a moment for my mind to shut off and focus on that one thing. You can shut out the world, bills, people, and focus on art. Art is therapeutic for everyone.”
Category: People & Places
