The Layered Look Painting

Kate Speranza is a life-long Oregonian and received her BFA from Oregon College of Art & Craft where she concentrated in metalsmithing. She went on to pursue an MFA at East Carolina University and discovered a love for painting there. Her current studio practice combines a variety of materials and formats. She has shown her paintings, sculpture, and jewelry in many national and regional exhibitions. In February 2020, she participated in a month-long artist residency at Arteles Creative Center in Finland. Most recently, she was awarded a residency through Recology and Astoria Visual arts—which focused on making art from salvaged materials. Since graduate school, Speranza has returned to the west coast and now lives and works in Astoria, Oregon. Artist Statement: "I am deeply drawn to architecture which comes through in the majority of my work. Clean lines, structure, and minimalism are elements that captivate me and help me escape the chaos of everyday life. They ground me and create a sense of calm. Additionally, I am fascinated with the history that is imbued within architectural structures. From the chips, scuffs, and layers of paint in a humble domestic space to the centuries-old graffiti on places as grand as the Colosseum—I am intrigued by the marks we as humans make on our surroundings, as well as the patina that comes with age and natural elements. In my paintings and sculptures, I am interested in capturing the emotions and qualities we feel in the spaces we spend our time, along with how these spaces mirror our lives."