Caitlin Keegan: Untitled

Untitled, by Caitlin Keegan.
15% of the gross sale of this print goes to Farm Sanctuary.

Caitlin Keegan is a designer and illustrator from a small town in Connecticut known as the Home of the Wiffle Ball. She was a staff designer at Nickelodeon Magazine for nearly seven years and has created editorial illustrations for clients including The New York Times, Nylon, and Playgirl. Her work has been exhibited across the country and was recognized twice by American Illustration. Caitlin’s work is strongly influenced by her love of pattern, collage, and decorative arts. She lives and works in Brooklyn with her intern (dachshund) Ollie.



About the print:
I knew that I wanted to create something to benefit Farm Sanctuary, so I looked at some old engravings and images of farm animals. What surprised me were the different breeds that existed. I made a few different drawings where I took some liberties with patterns and markings, and thought the rooster would be best as a full color painting.

This is a digital print using soy inks on acid-free recycled paper.

PURCHASE $30!

What has inspired you recently?
I was really inspired by a textile show that was up recently at the Japan Society in NYC - Serizawa: Master of Japanese Textile Design. I’ve been looking at lace, crochet, and macramé patterns lately too.

Why did you choose to pair Farm Animals with your print?
Reading Jonathan Safran Foer’s Eating Animals changed the way I think about my food choices. Learning of the adverse effects that factory farming has – not only on the treatment and breeding of farm animals, but also the effects for workers, and on public health – was very eye-opening. Farm Sanctuary gives happy, healthy lives to animals that have become casualties of our modern food production methods and educates the public about factory farming.

How have you seen art transform the world around you?
I had a job recently that involved helping kids from local public schools write and illustrate their own stories. The best part was seeing how much of a confidence boost they got from drawing and creating something of their own. Art always stays with you in some form if you’re encouraged and inspired as a kid.



If you could pick one artist to mentor you, who would it be?
I’ve always loved Neil Young’s music, but after seeing a PBS documentary about him I was amazed at his confidence in his own vision throughout his career. I think I would choose him to mentor me. I saw a poster once that said “What would Neil Young do?” and thought that was a perfect thing to keep in mind.

Who are some artists you think people should know about?
I’m lucky to count so many talented artists as my friends - Liz Zanis, Ana Benaroya, Chris Kyung, Christian Defilippo, to name a few. I also really like Cornelia O’Donovan, the interior designers Wary Meyers, Geoff McFetridge, and Kyle Field.