Meet Trailblazer Kara Maguire

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kara Maguire.

Kara, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I had an amazing art teacher in elementary school who instilled a lot of passion for art history and multiple mediums, which is a rare thing to find at such a young age. When she left school, my parents encouraged me to build on those skills and took me to classes on the weekends hosted by a local art store. I always made sure I could take some form of art elective as I got older through middle and high school. When that environment was no longer healthy for me, I left to finish my education elsewhere; but this was coupled with being bedridden for several months from a skin infection. I had A LOT of time to reflect, and art was one of the main things that made it possible for me to get through it all. I think it’s the only thing that has gotten me through any dark period; I could always be myself and free of judgment.

So, I went to art school, where there was a whole lot of judgment… and a ton of support! I learned so much more about myself and about the kind of artist I am than I ever expected to. I went in with a plan to create a scientifically based illustration, fighting tooth and nail with the professors and myself to make that dream possible. When I graduated, my only focus was to make art that made me happy, which has been the only important thing about creating art all along. Now, my work is focused on paintings and drawings in an abstract, surrealist realm. Each piece helps me understand myself, people and the universe at large in a new way. I’m intensely excited to see just how far down the rabbit hole I can go.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life would be so incredibly boring if it was all smooth sailing. I didn’t graduate from a normal high school; I didn’t go to a prestigious university; I’ve quit jobs that I worked hard to get because if something didn’t feel right, it just wasn’t meant to be. I’ve pushed over roadblocks and every time I find myself down a new path I’m reminded of how much more there is to learn. It’s not going to get easier, but I keep getting stronger.

At the end of it all, do the things you love for yourself and you alone. Don’t do it for fame, the approval, and never the money. You’re the only one who has to live your life, so it’s worth fighting to make it yours.

Please tell us more about your artwork, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
As I continue to develop a solidified body of work, the majority of my focus for the last few years has been to create imagined sculptural objects and portraits, experimenting with space, light, and texture. I’m inspired by the study of color and the emotional sensations it can create, much like the process of the painters in the Abstract Expressionist movement. The work leans toward non-objective images that allow viewers to develop their own narrative by interacting on a more personal level with each piece.

I began with oil painting but have now returned to my roots with graphite and charcoal drawing. Both give me the opportunity to feel every element of the creation of the objects, which has become a deeply personal experience and is new to my method of creating artwork. As a result, I see more of these paintings as portraits because they have their own personality; each their own unique feeling that is distinct to an interaction or experience. They remind me of a specific underlying sensation; you might associate some with discomfort or isolation, others with warmth or serenity.

Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
This is definitely an area I’m continuing to explore and wish I had taken more advantage of while I was in school. Anyone who supports you and can offer legitimate constructive criticism is an important ally to have. The art world has always been competitive and it’s becoming increasingly difficult to attract attention through social media. So it becomes more important to take opportunities when they’re available and not put up your own roadblocks. I have a lot to learn about navigating this side; I hope to continue to have chances to exhibit and keep making work I’m inspired by.

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
There’s nothing that has made me more disappointed than realizing the discrimination that still occurs amongst different groups of women, specifically during a time where we are fighting against our political climate and crises. I think this opposition became blatantly apparent when I started college; women discouraging each other or labeling and limiting based on culture or background. We’re all on the same side and fighting for the same things. We also experience life in completely different ways, but it’s still possible to be compassionate and listen to each other’s stories without disregarding an opinion. We can learn a lot from each other but one of our downfalls is thinking our own viewpoint is the only valid or important one. People need to learn to be kind to each other and appreciate the unique differences that give us strength.

Contact Info:

• Address: 160 S. Emerson St., Denver, CO 80209
• Phone: 720-474-4750
•  instagram.com/kmaguire_art
• Facebook: KaraMaguireArt@Facebook.com

Image Credit:
(all) Kara Maguire

Getting in touch: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.