artist statement
My work seeks to preserve lived and digitally captured memories. Many times, fleeting moments are the most valuable but the most underappreciated. It is my goal to capture as many of these instances as possible. My paintings feature evidence of brushwork and, at times, clearly leaves the underpainting visible. This is confirmation that I, myself as both a human and as an individual, have touched the canvas.
If I were to view my work through my own background as an art historian, my standalone subjects may reflect my experience as an only child or the isolation we all experienced during the Covid pandemic. Lately, these ideas manifest through my paintings of flowers, my primary source of inspiration. Flowers serve two purposes in my work: a medium to explore color and an allusion to memories of my childhood. Compared to the brown-gray suburbs of Dallas, nature and color are a premium — one I hope to emphasis and preserve.
Through my work, I invite viewers to notice missed moments. To find beauty and color in the space around us. To recall a cherished memory or an old feeling. Through creation, I meditate through my own thoughts on remembrance, sharing my lived memories in case someone may resonate with them.
This is my attempt to make the world a brighter place.
bio
Katherine Strand holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Minor in Visual Arts) and M.A. in Art History from the University of Texas at Dallas. She is a Eugene McDermott Scholar Alumni and has interned at the Dallas Museum of Art and the Crow Museum of Art. Her master’s thesis, “Fourth Style Suspended Ceilings at Oplontis Villa A: Decoration and Technology,” explores domestic space through the art, engineering, and construction of ancient Roman Ceilings. She is currently employed as a Data Analyst and pursuing her lifelong passion for creating art.
Press
Katie Strand - New Dimensions | The University of Texas at Dallas
Exhibition History
Winter Showcase, SPN Gallery (2022)
Congressional Art Competition (2018)
CV
Honors/Awards
EODIAH Naples Study Residency and Research Travel 2023
Magna Cum Laude 2023
Jonelle and Bryce Jordan Scholarship in the Arts 2023
Eugene McDermott Scholar Program 2019 – 2023
Phi Kappa Phi Member 2021 – 2024
Collegium V Honors Student 2019 – 2023
Dean’s List 2019 – 2020
TAEA State Gold Seal Art Award (2017, 2018, 2019)
Congressional Art Competition 3rd Place (2018)
Education
The University of Texas at Dallas MA Art History (December 2024)
The University of Texas at Dallas BS Mechanical Engineering, Visual Arts Minor (May 2023)
University College London (July – August 2022)
Independence High School, Frisco TX (June 2019)
Work Experience
Fujitsu Network Communications (August 2023 - Present)
Quality Infrastructure Data Analytics Engineer II: Created charts using SQL and Sisense to provide engineers with up-to-date informatics and performance analytics. Reverse engineered outdated models to understand the code, implement new process-oriented updates, and create a better UI/UX design. Conducted bug-testing on a new website version that displays performance charts and engineering process documentation.
Dallas Museum of Art (July 2023 – August 2023)
Intern for Exhibitions: Analyzed budgets for exhibitions projects to recommend future course of action. Assembled research on other museums to plan shipment routes and packaging for traveling exhibitions. Entered previous show data into the TMS Collections database.
UTDesign Emerson Pressure Management (September 2022 – May 2023)
Designed a testing system to reduce the time of a Flame Arrestor Deflagration Test by 75%. Gained experience working collaboratively with a team and client to produce a viable solution. Managed the project’s bill of materials, budgeting, orders and manufacturing timelines. Offered creative technical solutions to design problems. Produced visuals and presentation materials for clients. Emerson has provided extremely positive feedback and will be putting the system into production in 2023.
Crow Museum of Asian Art of the University of Texas at Dallas (May 2021 – July 2022)
Museum Development Intern: Managed the Crow on Campus initiative, engaging students through diverse artistic experiences. Conducted research, planned events, interfaced between departments while managing three high school interns. Catalogued the Horchow Collection of Latin American Folk Art.
Student EXP (Experience) Worker: Designed projects to involve UT Dallas students with the Crow museum and organized large-scale events aimed at students and the public. Worked with the Dallas Arts District to prepare and execute the 2022 Pride Block Party. Coordinated with university departments to prepare lectures and educational resources. Facilitated educational and professional events held at the museum with local and national leaders.
Research Experience
EODIAH Research Assistant for Dr. Michael Thomas (August 2023 – August 2024)
Edited upcoming research material on wall construction and masonry at Oplontis Villa A. Assisted in compiling and revising exhibition information for upcoming shows at the Dallas Museum of Art and UTD’s upcoming Athenaeum Museum. Attended Dr. Thomas’s undergraduate course on Pompeii and acted as a grader for the course.
Oplontis Project (June 2023, June 2024)
Assisted archeological excavations and on-going research at both Oplontis sites: Villa A and Villa B. Learned archeological methods like surveying and cataloging finds. Worked with an international team of researchers to generate new findings on these sites.
EODIAH Research Assistant (January 2023 – May 2023)
Collaborated with Dr. Mark Rosen to develop a new global art history survey course model at UT Dallas. Conducted research into other university models and explored current scholarship on the globalization of traditionally western-art focused survey courses. Continuing to explore potential course models to engage future undergraduate students.
Cold Temperature Directed Energy Deposition (September 2022 – December 2022)
Investigated the effects of temperature on the Directed Energy Deposition (DED) process using Ti6Al4V powder. Applications of DED manufacturing include 3D-printed metal components, particularly to fix missing geometries. Worked with Dr. Wei Li to explore manufacturing processes and material science to gain engineering research skills.