I love checking out the illustration hashtag on Instagram. It is a great source of inspiration and an amazing way to find new artists. It was in one of my browsing adventures that I found the beautiful illustrations of Kate Wadsworth. The striking colors she uses and captivating subject got my attention right away. After checking out more of her work on her website and Behance I was even more in awe with her pieces. It was like I was being transported to a parallel universe filled with sun, waves and fun. Simply put, her illustrations made me smile.
Since we know that sharing is caring and that there is nothing better than inspiring our readers, we are showcasing here a few of Kate's stylish pieces. These creative, bold and colorful pieces will certainly make your inspirational juices run faster. We have illustrations from two of her latest collections. Take a look and also visit her website and Behance for more details about her and her art. Also, all of Kate's illustrations are done in acrylic and colored pencil on wood panels. And she is the one building her panels. Talk about talent and multi tasking. ;)
Kate Wadsworth was raised on the beautiful east side of Oahu, Hawaii, where she currently lives as an illustrator and graphic designer. She spent several years living on the East Coast where she received her BFA in Communication Arts from Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond – a multicultural city that strengthened her interest in figurative art and urban sketching. Equally inspired by the natural world, she loves to experiment with bold colors, exaggerated shapes, and purposeful line work to tell stories with subtle but deliberate symbolism.
28 Summers
28 Summers is a brand new collection for a solo show. Kate based the pieces on her recent move back to her hometown after living many years across the country. Her work for this show was a nostalgic reflection of her endless summer days growing up in Hawaii.
East To West
East to West is a collection inspired by a cross country trip Kate took a couple years ago.
Third Beach, 12x16” Acrylic, colored pencil on wood panel. This piece was inspired by a beach in Forks, Washington, where the washed up driftwood is full grown trees eroded away from the earth.< We hiked 1.5 miles through Olympic National Park, and set up camp in a maze of fallen sitka spruce and western hemlock. Needless to say we had more than enough firewood to keep us warm through the night.
The Guides, 16x20” Acrylic, colored pencil on wood panel. This piece is inspired by an 8 mile hike through the scorching Havasu Canyon to the village of Supai, in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Another 2 miles will get you to a beautiful oasis of turquoise waterfalls.
Vernal Falls, 16x20” Acrylic, colored pencil on wood panel. This piece is inspired by a trip to Yosemite National Park. We took a 0.7mile hike through the Mist Trail to a granite staircase of 600 steps to the top of Vernal Falls. From the top of the 317ft falls, you can see a beautiful view of Yosemite Valley. Instead of hiking back the way we came, we continued on the John Muir Trail to see Nevada Falls and Emerald Pool.
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