Meet Kieren Dutcher | Illustrator, Author and Art Educator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kieren Dutcher and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kieren, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
I can’t imagine doing anything that isn’t creative. I grew up in a creative household, my dad was an architect who built furniture and remodeled our old house, and my mom was a maker- cook, seamstress, knitter, baker, furniture refinisher, gardener – she tried it all. So, being surrounded by their creativity encouraged me to do the same. Living a creative life, it’s the only way to live, in my opinion.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Color is my biggest inspiration. I think nature comes second, I love to take daily walks in the hills where I live and see what’s changed since the last time I was there. Trees, flowers, leaves, animals and landscapes all inspire me. Folk art is another influence, the simplicity, the bold designs. My artwork is very friendly, one friend said “Your art shouts joy!” Issues of social justice are another influence in my work. I think I am most proud of all the many people, kids and adults, I’ve taught over the years, who explored creativity they didn’t know they had and made something they’re proud of. We are all creative beings and need to express ourselves to live a fulfilled life, I believe, whether it’s by making art, music, dancing, cooking or whatever inspires us.
As far as my own artwork, I am most proud of my 18 paintings that were printed huge on glass and installed on the pediatric floor of a hospital in San Francisco. I think of sick and scared kids getting to look at some happy colorful art to distract them. In the last couple years I”ve had my work on a book cover, in a tv show, and now for sale at about 9 different shops and galleries, including the Oakland Museum gift shop. (Also on display at the Oakland Museum for the past 9 months was an exhibit called ‘Into the Brightness’, art from disabled artists at Creative Growth, Creativity Explored and Niad Art Center, where I work part time in the fibers area of the studio. Virtually all the fibers pieces in the exhibit were helped along by me.)
I think learning and growing and changing are super important as an artist, as well as being open to whatever comes. I did not seek out most of what’s come my way, doors have opened and I have walked through them. I have no idea where my art will lead me next, but the main thing is to keep making it and putting it out there. It’s definitely not easy. The hardest part is to keep going into the unknown.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
First off I would take my friends on my favorite hikes in Tilden Park, and out to the ocean, probably Point Reyes or Muir Beach or up on Mount Tamalpais. We might get some lunch from Picnic Rotisserie (Albany) to bring along, or stop in at the Cheese Board (Berkeley) for cheese, olives and bread. I love to cook with and for my friends, so we’d definitely go to Monterey Market or Berkeley Bowl for produce for a dinner or two we’d cook together. If they wanted to buy something to bring back home, we’d shop along Solano Ave, at Umami Home + Gift (Albany), the Abrams Claghorn Gallery (Albany), Flowerland Nursery (Albany) and Fern’s Garden (Berkeley). We’d go see what’s on exhibit at Niad Art Center in Richmond, and conveniently there’s a great taco truck right across the street. We might go for a walk along the bay at the Albany Bulb, with views of SF and lots of funky art by local folks in among the trees and junk from the old dump that used to exist there. I love to browse at Mrs Dalloways Bookstore on College Ave (Berkeley) in the Elmwood district and eat the Mezze at La Mediterranee restaurant. Further down the street in Oakland is Bella Vita (Oakland) with fun gifts for babies, kids and women. I love shopping at Maison d’Etre across the street. If it’s the first Sunday of the month we might go to the Alameda Point Antiques Faire, always fun to search for old treasures.
We’d definitely look at some art as well, The Oakland Museum (with a great store of work by local makers) has a great Friday night scene with live music, drinks and a street full of food trucks. Or, we might take the ferry across the bay to SFMOMA and have lunch at The Slanted Door in the ferry building. I love shopping for books at Green Apple Books and stopping in for dim sum on Clement Street in SF, lots of great little spots to dine in or take out.
Oakland has some great restaurants, one of my favorites is The Golden Lotus (Oakland), wonderful vegetarian food. Mischief Shop is another store full of work by local artists, in the Laurel District of Oakland.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First off, my husband Greg, who encouraged me to quit my full time job so I could have time in my studio. My writer and illustrator friends, and other maker women I’ve met along the way.

Website: www.kierendutcher.com

Instagram: @KierenDutcher

Linkedin: Linkedin/KierenDutcher

Facebook: facebook.com/kierendutcher

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiI_veRUgwbPbtgzdjKklOQ

Image Credits
Greg Sage, Kieren Dutcher