Monday. 10:30AM. I'm sitting on an American Airlines plane heading to Alabama. I reach into the magazine pocket and pull out the American Airlines Magazine and start flipping through it.
I come upon an article titled the Peter Pan Syndrome. It told the story of a Brooklyn freelance photographer and street artist named Katie Sokoler. What this woman does is nothing short of amazing! I've always had an eye for art and I love the occasional touch of whimsy. That pretty much sums up Katie Sokoler. As the magazine says "One artist has a mission to keep New York young — one daydream at a time".
Two of her projects completely blew me away. The first came to life by Katie wondering what the people on her subway were thinking while chugging along on the B train. She began cutting out thought bubbles from construction paper and adding whimsical pictures to the bubbles like hearts, flying people etc. She would then paste the thought bubbles around her Brooklyn neighborhood and then lay in wait for some unsuspecting passerby to fall into her art trap.
SNAP! A camera shutter went off and presto, instant art piece! It's so simple, yet elegant. Katie just brings a real "feel good" emotion when looking at her work.
I mean, how fitting is this image? Some random guy walking past a bakery thinking about cupcakes. She definitely stirs a different feeling other than the humdrum commutes everyone takes blindly during their days.
I don't think I've ever quite seen art the way she portrays it. Women thinking about love, dogs dreaming of that ultimate bone, men lost in thought over that perfect woman. You name it and Katies' brought those thoughts to life somewhere in Brooklyn, New York. Her work really is amazing. I'll be honest, it's very seldom that someone can show me the side of humanity that feeds off of the good and whimisical things in life. All too often, especially in these times, negativity abounds. It's not healthy. People like Katie Sokoler are tiny sparkling gems in the sea of humanity. When you find one, hold on to it.
I'm not letting Katie go anytime soon.
Oh, here's another one of her projects that I absolutely love. She was inspired by Peter Pan's shadow playing tricks on him for this project. She merely cuts out human shapes from construction paper and pastes it to a wall. She then lays in wait armed with her trusty camera. Again, unknowing passersby contribute greatly to her pieces.
The outcome is extraordinary!
Seriously, if you need a pick-me-up then head over to her website - Color Me Katie. Then prepare yourself for a trip through wonderland! I've never experienced anything quite like this - EVAR!
Well, let me know what you think of my little discovery! Going to go find some construction paper. I think Katie has inspired me to try some of these ideas out for myself!!
Till next time!
Shawn
This is such a sweet post! Thanks Shawn!!
Posted by: Colormekatie | January 10, 2010 at 08:20 AM
Wow, that is really fantastic!! I spent two hours looking at her photostream earlier. She's really talented! I love the picture of her blowing a kiss with the hearts. Thanks for the link!
In other news, I way miss you. :D
Posted by: Kristyn | January 10, 2010 at 11:35 PM