June Artist of the Month Katherine Cundiff

Actually, the best you could have given her is a lifetime of adventures

Actually, the best you could have given her is a lifetime of adventures

Katherine Cundiff is a self-taught, natural light and fine art photographer based in South Bend, Indiana. Her interest in photography dates to grade school; always being fascinated with "preserving time."  "My passion is being able to take moments in time and make them immortal." "There is something about the sentimental things that captivate my soul. Preserving memories and capturing someone's life in time is an amazing feeling. Photos are things people pass down, so it's a little piece of their puzzle that nearly lives
forever, an heirloom.  Each person's story is different. I like to find that connecting piece to making the puzzle have structure."  

Being there for a child is the most noble thing a toy can do

Being there for a child is the most noble thing a toy can do

It wasn't until around 2007, shortly after the birth of her first child, that she dedicated much of her time documenting his life through imagery and purchased her first DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera. Her photography sprouted as quickly as he grew.  Over time, her passion for portraits turned into a love for whimsical story telling with a surreal twist.  She likes leaving the viewer to come to their own conclusions about what each piece means.  Kate creates one of a kind, surreal worlds that tell a story with their own visual appeal.  A natural visual storyteller, she can transform what one may see as mundane and make it
special. It has been a goal to use as many up-cycled and recycled materials when creating props or attire in her portraiture.  As an avid crafter she uses mixed media in most of her works. She is also known to collaborate with other artists. 

Chaos burns like wildfires

Chaos burns like wildfires

I’m not sure what frightens me the most, letting you in or the monsters out

I’m not sure what frightens me the most, letting you in or the monsters out

Is that a kind of occupational hazard of soulmates

Is that a kind of occupational hazard of soulmates

She works all sides of her shoots from building and stylizing enchanting sets, camera set up and shooting, to final image editing and processing.  Whether she is behind the lens shooting or in front modeling a self-portrait, she adds her own spark to every piece she works on.  Kate does sessions and events as well as sells prints of her work.

When Kate is not putting together surreal worlds, she can be found spending time with her four children who have given her the greatest of inspiration. She takes them on magical adventures without even leaving the house. 

While Kate is kept on her toes, she also runs another locally owned small business creating custom, one of a kind keepsake jewelry and decor infused with DNA or other natural elements.  As a normalize breastfeeding advocate and creator, she has turned her sentimental knack for motherhood into a full circle business offering to preserve sentimental elements such as breastmilk, placenta, hair, umbilical cord, flowers, fabric and even cremains. 

Logic will get you from A to B Imagination will take you everywhere

Logic will get you from A to B Imagination will take you everywhere

The future belongs to the mad

The future belongs to the mad

The observer listens to nature the experimenter questions to reveal herself

The observer listens to nature the experimenter questions to reveal herself

Her family started beekeeping in 2013 which she has also incorporated into her creations/jewelry
by making honey and honeycomb items as well as ethically sourced bees and other insects.  Every piece of nature that is preserved is handpicked and inspected by Kate personally to ensure the best goes into her work.  Whether it be is by photograph or keepsake jewelry it can be expected Kate is documenting some special milestone worthy of celebrating. 

"The goal isn't to live forever; the goal is to create something that will." - Unknown

“Think about it, photography is a form of time travel.” - Neil deGrasse Tyson

"Everyone has a point of view. Some people call it style, but what we're really talking about is the guts of a photograph. When you trust your point of view, that's when you start taking pictures." -Annie Leibovitz

I turn into wax and melt like this

I turn into wax and melt like this

The bones are mountains and the stars are upside down

The bones are mountains and the stars are upside down

Artist of the MonthDaniel BreenComment