Check Out Katie Walsh’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Walsh

Hi Katie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
When I think of myself and my story, I think of two things: artistry and sign spinning. I have always loved the arts. I’ve played piano since I was in the first grade. I’ve always danced and envisioned a life of an entertainer and the entertainment industry. Funny enough though, my journey started with the wrong decision. In an effort to follow the status quo, I started college at the School of Mines studying math, aiming to become an actuary. However, within two weeks, I knew that creativity is the realm in which I wanted to work and create a career. I transferred to CU Denver and quickly found a love for art production and the many mediums. I even continued to write music and compose songs while also doing art design for the film – which included sets, costumes, and props. I found that props were my favorite, and I yearned to learn more, not just how to source quirky objects but also make them. I found a passion for mold making and casting when I was asked to recreate ahead for a horror film. I was catapulted into a world of creation; I minored in studio art and learned how to make molds and cast pieces in metal, glass, resin, and many other materials. With this new knowledge and my film background, I eventually made a move to Los Angeles, where I secured a job working at a horror prop shop.

There, I expanded my knowledge and became the manager of the fabrication shop. I honed my skills as special effects make up artist, as well as composed over 12 songs encapsulating all my journeys and hardships. I finally had reached my goal of making art a career. Not only had I made my career in art, but I also had a hobby that held equal importance in my life throughout all these years as well. While in school, I took a side job as a sign spinner to help make ends meet. This quickly became one of my greatest passions that have stayed with me over the years. I was so over the moon about spinning. People associated me with spinning – seeing how it can be an art form, even if it seems like a dead-end job. When I moved to Los Angeles, I got off the plane and someone recognized me for spinning in Denver. It was elation at its finest, and I knew that at that moment, even if I had a plan to become an artist, I could not and would not give up spinning. It is far from the dead end job people make it out to be, and it led me to many places and offered countless experiences. One experience, in particular, was this year, when I went to Vegas in January.

I competed in the World Sign Spinning Championship held on Fremont Street. One of four women and with sixty other competitors, I placed 39th in the world. Spinning continually pushes me to stay healthy, push my body, and learn new tricks and dances. High off of the WSSC experience and my budding art career, I came home to LA, excited for the new year. Then, COVID-19 hit. After struggling for a couple of months, I had to cut my losses and move back to Colorado Springs. In an effort to not lose hope, I continued to practice my special effects makeup, practice sign spinning, and work with other creatives on photoshoots and more here in the city. I also landed a position at a mosaic shop, which has given me the opportunity to learn more about glass and a new art form. I have also continued to compose and record music, not letting this pandemic stop my dreams, no matter where I am. Just as I knew I couldn’t and wouldn’t stop spinning when I got to LA, I’ll never stop pursuing an artistic career here in the Springs. Art is alive and well, no matter the state of the world or the state I reside in.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has certainly been a bumpy road. Throughout my whole life, my family suffered at the hands of addiction and mental illness. As a broken family, we like to joke that we put the fun in dysfunctional. But, when one person in a family is sick, everyone is sick. When I left for LA, I felt as though I could leave that behind, but that wasn’t the case. Being in LA by myself with no family for three years opened my eyes to the damage that alcoholism and other addictions bring. Worrying that the call in the middle of the night is the call to confirm your worst fears haunts you whether you like it or not. Worry and weariness consume you when you are thousands of miles away and unable to help, even though you know you’d be just as useless if you were less than a mile away. Addiction is a family disease, and unfortunately, I learned the hard way that sometimes you have to let go for anything to change truly. Enabling is just as destructive as the disease itself. All in all, it opened my eyes to the generational hurt mental illness and addiction ensures. It is still a daily struggle my family endures, but over time, hopefully, we can all heal and become healthy.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
You know the saying Jack of all trades, Master of none? I feel as though that perfectly describes myself. Overall, I would say I am known for art production and sign spinning. However, each of those is an umbrella to a multitude of jobs and specializations. I’ve done set designs and props for a plethora of film and tv sets, but most notably, I was able to recreate sets from Bates motel and Alien for documentaries that premiered at Sundance – one was even picked up by IFC. I can also be found in the studio as well. I worked with iron and bronze metal, creating sculptures that explore nature and the finite parameters of shape. I’ve life cast many people over the years, creating replicas of faces, heads, arms, and legs. From those life casting sessions, I’ve cast a variety of pieces from polyurethane, resin, silicone, and rubber. All of these were used for various reasons; special effect makeup, props for film and television, and artistic sculptures and exhibitions. I’ve also always had a personal affliction for creating horror-themed special effects look on myself. It’s a twisted way of sometimes processing difficult emotions. I also process emotions when I compose my music. I’ve composed well over 20 songs, but only 12 or so are truly finished pieces. For the longest time, I kept those to myself, as it was therapy for me. One day, only about two years ago, I had the courage to start and share them. Since then, it’s lit a fire in me to share with the world my music along with my other artistic endeavors.

Another endeavor is sign spinning. It’s a physical way to express my creativity and passion inside. With a combination of dancing and tricks, spinning is not only a way of the advertisement but also entertainment. I spin for a company called Aarrow Sign Spinners, and when I joined that company, I found a family of people who love spinning just as much as me. It’s one of my greatest joys in life. It is pure elation when you can make someone smile and dance along with you, and of course, it’s always a confidence booster when people tip you or record your routine. I’ve had countless opportunities to work artistically, and I am forever grateful. My top three proudest moments are when I competed in the World Sign Spinning Championship (WSSC) this year, shared my music for the first time, and finally, working my way up to manager in a fabrication studio for a horror prop shop called Dapper Cadaver. I like to think my insatiable work ethic sets me apart from others and with luck and opportunity, has given me access to many doors I thought would be forever closed.

What matters most to you?
Authenticity and love matter the most to me. I’ve lost a few people in my life who didn’t need to be lost. Grieving someone who is alive but cannot be in your life is a difficult emotion to process. Being authentic and true to what is inside will always create a path of least resistance and the opportunity to make wrong things right. When we turn away from what’s true and inside, we make things harder for ourselves. Even if we do end up making it difficult, love will always save us in the end. Love and forgiveness go hand in hand; letting go and letting love is sometimes the strongest and bravest act one can do. These principles can be applied both personally and professionally.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.katieawalsh.com

Image Credits
Kelly Page Spencer and Aarrow Sign Spinners