Excelling in everything from painting and wool art to needlework and greetings cards, Petersfield artist Katrin Eagle's style has evolved over a 20 year career and is inspired by her garden, wildlife and Estonian heritage
The is an old saying, ‘Jack of all trades, master of none', however in the case of artist Katrin Eagle, ‘Jack of all trades master of many’ seems a better description.
When I speak to this multi-talented artist she is surrounded by flowers, not only from her garden in Petersfield, but the artwork that fills her light filled studio. Born in Leicester, with a mother and grandmother who were both artists, it is no surprise that the next generation would be equally creative – her mother, a former art teacher still paints at the age of 88. ‘I always loved drawing, that's the only activity I remember doing as a child, it was a natural part of everyday life,’ says Katrin.
Katrin who is of Estonian heritage, decided to study for a biology degree working in medical research, but her love of creativity and colour were never far away. In between having her two children and moving to Scotland, she decided to channel her energies into designing and selling childrenswear but craved more so returned to study in her thirties, taking a Scottish Higher in art at James Watt College, Greenock.
‘I wanted to formalise my art in some way and learn how to develop my own kind of textile designs or artwork.’
This was followed by a portfolio course at the Glasgow School of Art and then a two-year HND in stitched textile and fashion at Cardonald College, Glasgow. ‘It helped me to find the kind of direction I was looking for,’ says the 61-year-old. ‘The HND was very much based on observational drawing and painting as the root of everything that you do next.’
When Katrin relocated to North Carolina in America with her husband’s job, she returned to her painting to fill her days. It gave her the chance to develop her art, build her confidence and start exhibiting her work. ‘Being away from home, away from people who knew my artwork felt safe because you are anonymous.
‘I approached a local gallery and asked them if they wanted to exhibit some of my paintings and a painting of some alliums was selected to publicise a local art festival; It was exciting and the first time where my work was used for something.’
It was the beginning of a 20-year career which has evolved from painting to wool art, textile design, collage and back to painting. Katrin’s portfolio is incredibly diverse, from still life flowers and birdlife to the quirky garden cats range inspired by her two cats Sid and Bobby.
Sid, who often features in her designs, can be seen on her Instagram lying across the desk or in his favourite chair, although as she tells me, it’s not without its pitfalls. ‘The other day he climbed up on my lap. I was having to hold my palette higher and higher and then he managed to swish his tail like a brush across this big bit of pink acrylic. It went all up my arm, around my neck, I had to dip his tail into the cleaning water to try and get it clean.’
Her Garden Cats range was developed during Covid while she says, ‘tinkering at home’. And what started as a simple collage using hand painted papers, has involved into a range of homewares and cards. Her fondness for cats has also led to a range of folk-art cat designs inspired by Estonian embroidery motifs. ‘My Estonian heritage is very close to my heart; I still speak Estonian with my parents every day,’ she says.
Returning to her interest in textiles, Katrin has been drawn to wool and felt as a medium for creating unique pictures. ‘I love working with wool and using wool as a painting medium, blending and sculpting it to develop a picture. Although I have returned to paint, these started off as a drawing or painting, which was then translated into wool.’
I am not surprised that inspiration comes from her garden; she has lived in Petersfield for the past 10 years. ‘I love looking at flowers and have always had a love of nature. I think that's why I studied biology. From her garden I can see some big pink dahlias. ‘I’m mad about them,’ she adds. ‘The colours are so rich and the flowers so big and spiky. they're just asking to be painted.’
As the flowers grow Katrin brings them to life on canvas working mainly in acrylic for its quick drying properties. ‘It just suits my way of painting and drawing. You can do a layer and if it goes wrong, you can quickly paint over it.’
Sitting with a sketchbook in her garden Katrin also works a lot in gouache, painting a scene before transferring it to a large canvas. ‘It gives you a nice, solid kind of chalky colour. You can scan it and it prints well. I don't like working from photographs, you can't capture the feel of a place, you are getting a very literal version of it.’
Looking at the very different techniques and styles in her work, it’s almost as if there are different personas to Katrin. ‘It is not an intentional thing,’ she says. ‘I think it just comes from what mood I’m in or what I feel like doing.
‘I enjoy exploring colour and texture, basing most work on observation and sometimes simplifying or stylising ideas. As my formal training was in textiles, I still tend to look for pattern and veer away from realistic interpretations of what I see.
‘Sometimes I'm desperate to record what's out in the garden, I want to bring flowers in. Other times I just feel like I want to do some small painting illustrations.’
It was during the winter months of lockdown in Covid that Katrin created a series of wildlife paintings featuring hares, foxes and birds illustrated using gouache. ‘There were no distractions, I could come and sit down here all day and do projects which I've had at the back of my mind. I think a lot of creative people found this.’
These designs are ones which have been now licenced to Cleopatra's Needle to be used as needlepoint kits, she has worked with the company for 15 years. ‘They're just about to launch another two lovely cushions, which I've designed with doves. I help choose the colours, as what works in paint, doesn't always exactly translate to yarn.
‘I get a huge kick out of applying images to cards and products – it’s a way of sharing. A big painting can only end up on one person's wall somewhere, whereas cards can give lots of people pleasure.’
But painting is what Katrin always returns to. ‘I need to paint. I need a dose every couple of days. Even if it's just an hour I can come down here and I can just let go of anything else.’
I leave Katrin to work on a painting of marigolds and daisies. ‘I've been trying to do this painting, which I started earlier in the week, but they keep wilting on me.’
I am sure, like everything else she creates, it will soon bloom.
Katrin will be exhibiting her work at Madeleine’s Deli, Petersfield from August 10-September 21. The date coincides with Hampshire Open Studios. katrineagle.com
