Artist-Mother: Kiki Slaughter
9 questions on art making and motherhood
It is an absolute delight to share the work and words of Kiki Slaughter in my fourth artist-mother interview. Her spacious colorfield paintings move together in ways that feel spontaneously melodic and carefully choreographed all at once–they teem with life in joyful harmony.
I recently learned of Kiki’s work through a mutual friend in celebration of her current exhibition, Twenty Years, marking the 20th year from her first solo show. Her personal experience as an artist and mother offers loads of depth to this evolving conversation. Read on for a beautiful glimpse into Kiki’s world of art making and motherhood.
9 questions on art making and motherhood
1 In a sentence or two define your art practice.
I am an abstract painter best known for expansive colorfield compositions that explore the fundamental process of painting. My technique is a delicate balance of spontaneity and precision as I intuitively pour, scrape, and layer paint to create meditative studies of color and gesture.
2 How do you carve out time for your art practice alongside motherly obligations?
Balancing the responsibilities of work and motherhood is an ever-evolving juggling act. Every day is a little different, but typically, I spend mornings in the studio and afternoons at home so that I can pick my kids up from school. Between various appointments and after-school activities, I can usually tackle administrative tasks. Like my painting style, my schedule is very organic, and I do my best to go with the flow and give myself grace when things don't go as planned.
Since studio time is limited, I've learned to manage my time more efficiently and often tap into my creativity on demand. However, being a mother has taught me that some things are beyond my control. When I struggle to connect with my work, I give myself a break or focus on more straightforward projects like stretching canvas or photographing recent paintings. I've come to accept that some days will be more productive than others, and that's okay because it's all part of the process.
3 What project or body of work are you currently developing?
My current exhibition, Twenty Years, marks the 20th anniversary of my first solo show in 2004, held just across the street, and celebrates a full-circle moment in my career as a painter. This collection is a tribute to creative expression and tells the story of my deeply personal artistic process, with every stroke, splatter, and stain of paint adding character to the narrative. Through layers of paint, expressive brushwork, and vibrant color blocks, I created a portrait of the process I have honed over 20 years of active painting.
4 Describe your studio space and working environment: the location, ambient sounds, etc.
My studio is a space where I can let my creativity run wild and make a beautiful mess. It is a large, light-filled room covered in paint and overflowing with paintings. A little background history: it was originally a classroom in a school built in 1888, becoming the first building that the City of Richmond built after the Civil War and a historic landmark. With its 14ft ceilings and 10ft windows and doors, the studio feels open and airy. To protect the beautiful wooden floors, I've covered them with drop cloths, as paint often gets splattered around. My paintings, in various stages of progress, sit on shelves, and since I paint on the floor, they usually occupy most of the floor space as well. My studio is perfect for me - a wide open space with excellent natural light and plenty of room to work on multiple paintings simultaneously, without worrying about making a mess!
5 Where are you currently finding inspiration?
For me, it has always been about painting–both the physicality of the mark and the mental presence of mark-making. Painting is both my method and muse, and I find inspiration in every step of the process. Intuitively building my canvases, my work becomes a window into my imagination and a reaction to the world around me. Everyday life, the places I visit, and the emotions and colors they evoke inspire my work. Whether channeling my studio's creative energy or nature's tranquil beauty, I strive to capture the essence of a place and convey its feeling onto canvas through my artistic expression. I took a trip to Kenya recently, and the vibrant yet earthy tones and dynamic patterns and textures I encountered there have influenced my art ever since.
6 How has motherhood impacted the evolution of your vocation as an artist-mother?
As a mother, I value my artistic career more than ever. I am grateful to have painting as a means of expression and as a source of income. The responsibility of being a role model for my children has given my work a greater sense of purpose. Motherhood has motivated me to add more beauty to the world through my art and push myself beyond my comfort zone, even inspiring me to explore new mediums for my creative expression.
The idea for my wallcovering and textile collection came from a pair of curtains I let my daughter scribble on and two watercolors by my son. I loved their artwork so much that I decided to use them as a starting point, and they have now become two of my best-selling patterns. Children are the best artists, and their innate creativity is magical. I want my kids to hold onto that magic and understand that creativity is essential in any field. I also want them to see me pursuing my passion as a career and know they can do the same with their ideas and dreams.
7 What female artists do you find intriguing and important to reference in your own work?
The saturated color fields and gestural mark-making of Abstract Expressionism have always inspired me. As my style has evolved, I have become increasingly drawn to the work of Helen Frankenthaler. Recently, I came across a quote by Frankenthaler that really resonated with me: "There are no rules. That is how art is born, how breakthroughs happen." Being an intuitive artist, I have always approached my work with experimentation and spontaneity, a sense of painting outside the lines. I greatly admire the breakthroughs Frankenthaler achieved through her art and career, especially as a female artist.
8 Future dream project, collaboration or exhibition?
I have had the privilege of creating bespoke artwork for several boutique hotels. It was rewarding to bring their unique visions to life and capture the essence of their distinct spaces. I am eager to take on similar projects in the future where my art can be appreciated by so many. I am also interested in expanding my work onto a new material by creating a line of painterly tiles inspired by patterns similar to my wallpaper and fabric collection.
9 Final thoughts on being an artist-mother, anything more you would like to share?
I hope my role as an artist mother inspires my children to pursue their passions and recognize the beauty in the world around them. Seeing them grow up in an environment filled with colors and enriched with creativity brings me great joy. By showing them how to create something from nothing, I aim to instill in them the importance of self-expression and help them understand that there are endless possibilities when it comes to what they can create, no matter what it is.
Connect with Kiki: kikislaughter.com + Kiki_slaughter
