Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Logan.
Kate, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always been an artist for as long as I can remember. It has been the one consistency in my life, the one thing I could always turn to when everything else seemed to go wrong. The first time I remember really showing the world my art was when I was a young teenager in the 90’s. The internet was still somewhat new and the thing to do when you were that age was to have a website. So I did. I got a taste of what it was like sharing something that had always seemed so personal to me with the world and I was addicted to it.
I moved from Memphis, TN to Atlanta, GA around 2005 following the death of my father. Atlanta was different from Memphis in that it didn’t seem quite so stagnant. There was always something new and exciting going on, and I was happy to be a part of it. Those first few years were kind of rough. I was in a bad relationship with a musician who only wanted my art to benefit him. I wasn’t allowed to really post my art online unless it linked back to his band. The resulting depression from being stifled like that led to me stepping away from making art for a while. I never thought I would get that back.
Luckily after that relationship fizzled out, I finally could focus 100% on me. I rebranded myself as Artetak and refused to be hidden away much longer. I felt like I was just starting out all over again. I made friends with some super talented artists who drove me to do more with my work. But I still wasn’t 100% fully committed to an art career. My bartending job took up almost all of my time and I couldn’t pump out art as much as I wanted to.
In 2016 I had the biggest moment in my career to date when I was approached by Deadmau5 to do the art for his new album. That led to a relationship with his label Mau5trap records, where I ended up designing an entire merchandise line. Juggling the stress of bartending full time and insane freelance deadlines was a bit much, so I was a bit relieved when I was fired from the bar in 2017. At that point, I decided enough was enough, and I committed solely to my art career.
It definitely hasn’t been an easy time by any means, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve met the best people, I’ve started hosting a monthly Drink & Draw at the very same bar I bartended at, I’ve started hosting themed art shows, and I’m excited to see where this takes me next.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not. There will be weeks when I feel like I made the wrong decision working for myself. Income is never a definite thing, and it’s always a hustle. I’ve also dealt with a lot of art theft and people profiting from my work which is never fun.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Artetak story. Tell us more about the business.
I think I’m best known for my kawaii occult imagery. I love cute themes, I love dark themes. There wasn’t really too much of a mix of the two years back. I remember I was making a punk vest for myself and I wanted it to be cute and satanic mixed together because I thought it was a funny combination. I looked all over for patches, pins, anything I could and nothing existed. So I decided to just design it for myself, and that was when Baby Baphomet was born.
Baby Baphomet was a combination of 1950’s baby art and the occult, and it just took off. It was licensed to use by the comedian Duncan Trussell and the reason why I was approached by Deadmau5. Baby Baphomet is kind of the backbone of where I am today.
Since then I’ve expanded upon that by mixing bright colors and macabre imagery. I’ve always considered myself a pinup artist but that has kind of taken a backseat to the art I do today. I think the best description I get with my art style now is the “Satanic Lisa Frank”.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
There is definitely some luck involved with getting your art out there. If Baby Baphomet didn’t go viral I probably wouldn’t be where I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: Artetak.org
- Email: etak666@gmail.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/artetak
- Facebook: facebook.com/kateloganart
Image Credit:
Figure and Ground ATL
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