Some people look at a wall and just walk by without so much as a glance. Others look at a wall and see endless possibility, a chance for unhinged creativity and the chance to create art in an unexpected place.

The world could use more of that second group, so we’re starting a new initiative entitled Blank Slate, inspired by the blank chalkboard wall in our office. Every month, a different artist will take a drab, blank wall and tell a story or share a message — basically, make it a work of art. And every month, we’ll share it with you through video and social media.

We want to show off Houston’s incredible (and often under-rated) artists. There are folks out there creating innovating art projects in unexpected places, and we want to showcase it. We hope it not only introduces you to something new, but that it inspires you to create too.

The artist we choose to introduce this series with is Katharine Kearns, better known as Katsola. Katsola is a co-founder of Sketchy Neighbors, a group of artists who challenge themselves and each other with off-the-wall art projects. You might also recognize some of her freelance design with Jenni’s Noodle House, Mellow Mushroom, Ray Phillips, Avis Frank Gallery, Wendy Niziol, Michael Arcieri, One Bite Kitchen and Fresh Foods Catering.

Can you tell us a little bit about the work you created for The Black Sheep Agency office? Where did you get the idea, and what do you want viewers to learn from it?
Since I had never worked in the chalk medium, other than a scribble or two, I tried to be loose with my concept in order to adapt as needed. I knew I wanted to create an illustration of my favorite subject of a girl with an animal muse. In this case there are three muses; a blue winged baby skunk, a heart shaped leopard printed, goggle and sailor hat wearing moray eel named Alapai and my pup Maya, who passed away this year as a little angel by my name, Katsola. I also wanted to bring in the happiness and fearlessness of childhood joy and experimentation by having the girl wear a mismatched, multi-patterned outfit, face paint and fun rain boots. I feel like I have never lost that child connection within myself and I still have the need to express it in my work.

What inspires you? 
Animals, beauty, pattern, nature and relationships.

If you could be any artistic tool — pencil, crayons, oil pastels, computer, etc. —which one would you be?
Pencil, I always start with a pencil. You can make soft and bold marks, create variable shades and erase and start over, or show your marks and process.

What is your most favorite thing you’ve created?
Seven giant sports trading card paintings for Mellow Mushroom in Spring, Texas.

What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?
Draw.

What is the first thing you do when you begin a new art project?
Sketch and research.

Artists are notoriously weird. Prove it. (Or argue it.)
Artists have the ability to think, see and feel beyond the normal spectrum or dimension. I think in that sense artists are weird because they see what others don’t and are able to create something original from those observations.

Has anyone ever said to you, “I don’t get it?” If so, how do you respond to that?
People usually ask what the story behind my work is because I think they see familiar objects, symbols or creatures but don’t always know the relationship between everything. Sometimes I tell the story, sometimes I don’t.

Fill in the blank. “I would die without ______.”
Creativity and inspiration.

What advice do you have to other creatives?
Be honest, work really hard and be generous. Experiment and take chances even if you are scared to fail or won’t measure up. You have to keep moving forward.

Where can people see more of your work? 
Mellow Mushroom in Spring, The Sparrow & the Nest, Winter Street Studio A-1 and katsola.com.

Introducing…Blank Slate: A Monthly Post Highlighting Local Artists

Highlighting local artist in the Houston area

Regular

There are two types of social media users in the world: Those who endlessly complain about petty problems and those who use it to tackle the world’s most taxing trials. If you get caught up on the first kind of social media user, it makes you wonder if this technology is making us unoriginal and self-centered. But after yesterday’s tragedy at the Boston Marathon, we know more of you are the second kind of social media user. We know you’re using social media to communicate about something bigger than yourself. You’re using it for good.

Like the media, who used Twitter to get the word out, especially the ones who worked hard to make sure they got it right before they tweeted. As more and more reporters use Twitter to break news and find sources, it’s becoming more and more critical that they place accuracy over speed. Just last week Houston Social Media Breakfast brought together members of the media to discuss the importance of this issue (among others); and yesterday, we saw so many reporters who waited for confirmation and stressed what they did know instead of what they didn’t. They made sure the victims, their families and the people anxiously awaiting updates were respected.

Like the folks at Google, who acted fast to reactivate the Person Finder, originally created for the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, to find people after the explosions Monday afternoon. Those looking for loved ones who otherwise would have been left uncertain were able to reunite. And Boston.com, the web arm of The Boston Globe, created a Google Doc where marathon runners who planned to fly out of town that night could express need for a place to stay and Bostonians could offer their homes.

Like those who shared hope. In times like this, when an occasion that was meant for celebration is marred by the most unthinkable types of destruction, it’s hard to find some good in the world. But there were people who took to social media and shared stories of hope, like the runners who crossed the finish line and kept on running to donate blood for victims. Or the anonymous person who bought the domain bostonmarthonconspiracy.com just to post “I bought this domain to keep some conspiracy theory kook from owning it. Please keep the victims of this event and their families in your thoughts.” Or those who joined the Facebook group Run 26.2 for Boston, a grassroots effort to rally runners to dedicate their next 26.2 miles for those who ran their last yesterday or those who didn’t finish. These individuals remind us that there are good, thoughtful people out there.

Through the constant updates and the outpouring of support, we saw first-hand what social media can be. Social media created the closest thing the world has ever known to a society in which every single individual has a voice and the opportunity to say whatever they want with that voice. Throughout history, we have been moving toward that opportunity. From the muckrakers who went undercover for stories untold to the creators of the Internet, this universal communication tool is what they all were working toward.

Social media can be a vehicle for change, a place for positivity, the tool we use to inform, inspire and share. It’s up to us to make it happen. Yesterday we saw hundreds of thousands of people choose the latter. We saw people use social media for good

Rising Above: Social Media Users who Shine in the Face of Tragedy

Social media can be a vehicle for change, a place for positivity, the tool we use to inform, inspire and share.