Meet Katrina Doran | Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Katrina Doran and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Katrina, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I like to say, an artistic and creative career chose me. I am naturally drawn to the process of gathering, sorting, breaking and arranging patterns and designs.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My true nature is to gather, shape, connect and create. The art of mosaic functions as a visual metaphor for how many separate pieces can fit together to form a new vision. There’s always more than one way to use the same bits for wildly different results. I find this an engaging and fascinating process of discovery. Life, for me, is more circular or web-like than it is linear and I am at a place in my experience where all the pieces of my various interests are coming together in play. I use the words “in play” specifically, for it occurs to me that life is a sort of absurd theatrical experience.

I always remember gathering and creating, arranging and re-making. I remember my high school counselor asking me to choose what I wanted to major in for college. I was a bit taken a-back by the thought I may only have one thing to choose for the rest of my life and got stuck in those thoughts for a very long time. I began my college studies in Interior Design and Architecture even though my heart’s desire was to play in the mud with my hands. Playing in mud (ceramics) was called a craft which, to my mind, was an unfitting career choice. So, I studied Design until my blueprint teacher told me I would be drawing other people’s blueprints for the first ten years of my career. I quit and entered the Psychology department to explore and find understanding for the ways of being human.

During my studies in Psychology I learned that research was my forte, not counseling. I returned to creative work after college and spent many years arranging and decorating spaces. One day I was introduced to a performer who invited me to work with her as a special events entertainer. My answer was, yes, and I discovered I was not at all shy when in costume. This led to many delightful and silly years of performing and creating costumes and props. It was also during this time that I met my husband, Denny Doran, who encouraged me to also make art which led me to the fine craft of mosaics.

Over the course of many years, of following my interests, of study and work, I am now at a place where I see how my interests all fit together. We recently moved from a warehouse in the Dallas Design District to an old farmhouse. Our new space is an art project in creation, a world of fantasy, a place of discovery. A place of awe and of wonder. I like to think of it as our theater, our own little stage. From here, I reach out my hands to share ideas, explore creativity and the nature of being human. I get to create magic.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Here’s a short list:

The Mid-century mosaics at the Joule Hotel plus, tea in the Taschen Library. (Downtown Dallas)

A visit to Hidden Mosaics in Rockwall, an inspired world of creative genius by Barbara Dybala.

Shopping at Curiosities and Curious Gardens in Lakewood.

Lunch or dinner at Hello Dumpling in East Dallas.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My life is rich in support from others. I dedicate this shoutout to the following people in my life:

My parents, Arthur and Joyce Clinger for their unwavering generosity. My grandmothers, Emma Bahn and Viola Clinger for their example of loving kindness and spiritual fortitude. My aunt Jo for her sense of style. My cousin, Verna-Marie for our conversations about everything under the sun. My teachers from school, especially Sue Roman for her enthusiasm and mischievous ways, Dr. Buchanan for showing me how we all learn and process information differently, and all of my French teachers preschool through 12th grade. I have the extraordinary good fortune of having lifetime friends, the most profound gift of my life includes Mary Gerlach, Wendy Pollock, Mary Ann Peppard, and Beth Hixon Kerr who have been my friends since as early as age three. Through the years my friendships have grown and flourished in beautiful ways and while I may not name each and every one of you, I wish to say thank you for the difference you have made in my life. As a mother, I wish to acknowledge my son, Taylor Bryant, as a bright star of my heart. My husband, Denny Doran, gives me the space to be all the ways I am and the freedom to create a world like no other.
I first met my husband at the Creative Arts Center of Dallas (CAC) where he was teaching and had his studio space. Through the process of following my interests, I met Sonia King who became my mentor in mosaic work and who also taught at CAC. This art school has contributed to my life in many ways, inviting me to teach, creating family and friends, developing art for the community and so much more. I acknowledge Diana Pollak, Chief Art Enabler, Sherry Mick and all the teachers and staff of the CAC for supporting me all-ways.
As an artist, I give thanks to my clients for whom many projects would have never been formulated without their inspiration. I acknowledge Brenda Houston of Brenda Houston Designs for the ease, freedom and trust we have in collaborating and working together. I am grateful for all the mosaic artists in my life for their willingness to share ideas, methods, tools, techniques and experiences. A few of these professional artists are: Emma Biggs, Barbara Dybala, Julie Richey, Jamie Pink, Ana Foncerrada, Sherri Warner Hunter, Gila Rayberg, Lynne Chinn, & Rebecca Collins.
I also choose to recognize the contributions of Landmark Worldwide, Rebecca Quave and Amira Alvarez. I am a very lucky human being.

Website: http://TheWorldofDoranStudio.com

Instagram: @katrina_doran_mosaics and @katrina_doran_creates

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVHcV9G_DCMoWa3T0r39vLA

Image Credits
Chris Howell Katrina Doran