Artist Interview: Kathryn Blommel

Kathryn Blommel is currently based in Minneapolis, MN, where she attends the University of Minnesota studying fine art. Her practice has been supported through grants and scholarships from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, the National Society of Arts and Letters, the Central Minnesota Arts Board, and the University of Minnesota.

Kathryn's piece, Entangled in My Roots, won the visual art category of the MoonLit Getaway Grand Opening Contest.

INTERVIEW

MG: What got you into art?

KB: Strangely enough, I got into art during the pandemic. I was fortunate to use that time of isolation to explore a new passion. In 2020, at the very start of the pandemic, I was a junior in high school when my school cancelled classes for two weeks. I asked my parents to take me to an art store to buy supplies to keep me occupied. I walked out with a sketchbook, pencils, kneaded erasures, and oil pastels. Without a desk in my room, my bedroom floor became my workspace. Every day, I spent hours drawing—mainly portraits and doodles. What started as a simple hobby quickly became a lifeline for me. 

MG: Tell us more about Entangled in My Roots—what inspired it? What makes it unique?

KG: I like to think of each piece as a journey, evolving alongside me throughout the creative process. Entangled in My Roots particularly embodies this idea. When I first began composing the work, my mind was deeply focused on the past. Our experiences shape who we are, leaving us forever intertwined with memories of the past, visions of the future, and moments from the present. Our sense of self is built from fragments of memory, moulding us into who we are in the present. We often cling to what we wish to remember while trying to forget the painful, uncontrollable parts of our past. Entangled in My Roots represents the journey of life—learning to carry the weight of the past while embracing the vastness of the future. This piece will forever hold a special place in my heart, as it led me to understand myself and the world that surrounds me.

MG: Are you currently working on anything else?

KB: I recently completed a drawing and painting incorporating tree reflections into the composition. I'm fascinated by the narrative of reflections and their fleeting nature. Something is compelling about juxtaposing light and darkness so closely. In these works, I’ve layered tree reflections over the human form, almost like a sheer curtain or blanket draped over the body. These themes and ideas are all very new to me. Ideas and concepts may change over time, but personal narratives are always relevant and enduring.

MG: What’s your favorite piece you've ever made? Why is it your favorite?

KB: In 2023 I drew a portrait of my Grandma and myself entitled, Grandma and I. My grandma has always been a significant figure throughout my lifetime. She has been a source of inspiration within my creative practice and continues to be a woman I look up to. Her strength lies within her unconditional love and undeniable resilience. That drawing will accompany me throughout all walks of life to inspire me to be just half the woman she is. 

MG: Are there any artists that inspire the way you make your pieces?

KB: Many artists have influenced my practice, including Daniel Ludwig, Michael Kareken, Ana Mendieta, Edgar Jerins, Norman Rockwell, Andrew Wyeth, Dorothea Tanning, Bo Bartlett, and others. They challenge me to dive deeper into my work and expand the narratives within my compositions. I also draw inspiration from the written words of Mary Oliver—her poems feel like a breath of fresh air and inspire me to bring life to my creations. However, I believe the greatest source of an artist's inspiration comes from life itself and the love that follows. After all, what is art without life, and what is life without love? As Andrew Wyeth once said, "One’s art goes as far and as deep as one’s love goes."

MG: Do you have any social media you'd like to share?

KB: Instagram: @KathrynBlommelart

MG: Do you have any advice for other artists?

KB: I have a few, and here they are:

• The time spent away from the studio is just as valuable, if not more so, than the time spent in the studio. 

• Don’t rush the creative process; patience is a form of action.

• Take care of the work and the work will take care of you. 

• You can recognize and appreciate the talent in others without invalidating your own.

• Learn to take constructive criticism while also prioritizing your own intentions and desires. 

• You may not always know what is best for you; let go and allow fate to take its course.

• Constantly question your motives and intentions. 

• When you lose, don’t lose the lesson. 

• Recognize and learn to understand when things are out of your control.

• Remember that nothing meant for you can ever pass you by.

Entangled in My Roots, by Kathryn Blommel, was selected as the cover art for MoonLit Getaway's first anthology: Harvest Moon - Volume One (September 2025).