We’re looking forward to introducing you to Kate Hendrickson. Check out our conversation below.
Good morning Kate, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
As artists, we all struggle to find our authentic voices within our artwork and throughout our careers, work on refining them. I believe that we are not alone. Amidst a world that incessantly demands conformity, many still need to mask their identities, fearing persecution or rejection. It’s a painful reality that so many of us hide who we are. This is something that I have struggled with, not being able to reveal my Jewish identity.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Coming full circle is how my life as an artist evolved and has brought me to the present day. I had the usual fine art education from undergraduate school to graduate school, where I received a Master of Fine Arts degree. Fortunately, upon graduation, I found work in a gallery and also taught at two well-known institutions, one of which was the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. As in the movie, “If It’s Tuesday, This Must Be Belgium”, energy and stamina were needed to balance three jobs.
Shortly thereafter, I had the opportunity to work as an international art dealer using my intimate knowledge of art making to find artwork that the architecture and design community could acquire for various projects, from residential to commercial to hospitality. Then the day came when the urge to create was so great that I decided to return to my roots. An artist friend said, “You have had years of input; it has to output somewhere.” So here I am today, a fine artist creating drawings and digital images.
Creating digital images had been a two-year process, with a false start and then a long period until I was forced to decide to dive in headfirst and overcome my tech fear. On September 26, 2025, hurricane Helene hit Sarasota, where I have a studio on Siesta Key. We got the news that three inches of water had flooded the studio, which required the removal of the walls. This meant that I wouldn’t have a creative space this past season.
My serene studio, where I spend months unfettered in creating, would be off-limits. How else would I be able to create and be happy? On the computer, of course. Oh, the learning curve! I had several months before returning to Sarasota to oversee the final restoration work in the studio and our home. So, I began to navigate all the features available in Photoshop thanks to an e-Collage course created by Jay Zerbe.
Now, you can see the results of combining two physical drawing series to make a digital print series. Both Revealed Faith and Bicycle Dynamism have been personal expressions with different messages. You can read about them on my website.. Combining them has been a personal journey, yet a discovery.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who taught you the most about work?
I had the opportunity to work in two different galleries before striking out on my own as an art dealer. Through those experiences, I learned what not to do and what to do. I gained an understanding of how to organize administrative needs and improve people skills. Building relationships was significant, as was maintaining them. I also learned that persistence and determination are assets in growing a business. All this I have carried over into my art practice and into life.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
After the shock of the October 7th attack began to settle, I found myself gripped by waves of anger, anxiety, and grief. I needed an outlet—some way to release emotions too heavy to carry in silence. Not long before, I had completed Revealed Faith, a body of work born from the comfort of openly embracing my Judaism. Now, unexpectedly, I felt myself drawn back toward the quiet intensity of Concealed Faith, where belief lives in the shadows, shared only with a trusted few.
Cycling has always been my counterbalance—a source of pure joy and freedom. After Revealed Faith, I had turned to my bikes for renewal, creating the energetic drawings of Bicycle Dynamism. In the weeks after the attack, I instinctively returned to that space of motion and delight. Without planning it, I began layering colored pencil imagery from Bicycle Dynamism over the pastel backgrounds of Revealed Faith. This merging of spiritual comfort and kinetic joy became an unexpected act of concealment and revelation. The collages intertwined two sanctuaries—faith and movement—into a single visual language, reflecting the parts of myself I choose to hide or show.
As the series took shape, I understood it as more than a refuge—it was a metaphor for freedom: the freedom to feel, to believe, and to be seen. I no longer needed to choose between what grounds me and what propels me forward. Today, I wear my Chai openly, embracing the risk of visibility and choosing, every day, to tell my story in full color.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I am now living my authentic self. I think through some of the questions that have been posed, I have shared a story of discovery; Through my artwork, I intend to encourage others to feel more comfortable expressing their true selves. Whether we conceal or reveal our identities, we all have a unique story to tell, and we must find the courage to share it.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
As I have expressed throughout the prior questions, I hope that through sharing my story, I have been able to help people find comfort and courage in being their authentic selves.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.katehendrickson.com
- Instagram: @katehendricksonartist
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katehendrickson/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katehendricksonartist
Image Credits
Kate Hendrickson
