Designs by Katrina

Jody-Anne Lawrence, Gleaner Writer

In 2002, Katrina Abrahams-Clarke said goodbye to the corporate world and returned to her true passion of fine art. After studying to be a graphic artist, Abrahams-Clarke worked at Air Canada as a member of the airline's ground staff.

But after 10 years of painting, she has decided to start a new venture - kitchenware. During her pregnancy in 2012, she found herself at a cross roads with her art, and her personal health and that of her unborn child. "I was not allowed to use oil paint during my pregnancy, so I had to think about how can I make a living without compromising my health, and that's how I came up with this - kitchenware," she tells Flair.

Abrahams-Clarke started making her designs on kitchenware from espresso mugs to salad bowls. She uses a mixture of porcelain that needs to be baked - this is ideal to paint on ceramic as it seals into the ceramic.

The artist who started out doing mainly portraits of children, thought it was a good choice to move on to kitchenware. It is also like a bonding process for the family. She likes to do painting that means something, and the line represents the family unit coming together and having their meal. "So we came up with this for the line, 'Building relationships for the celebration of love and life,' so that we can pull love and family together," explains Abrahams-Clarke.

This continues the theme for the reason that she started art in the first place. Art has always been a release for her - a way to share her views and herself without being overbearing. "I love art. I love working with my hands. I like to share myself and my faith and belief in Christ without being really in people's faces," she added.

Her love and appreciation for art was always there, but she realised it was more of a passion when she was in fourth form at Hillel Academy. "I always loved art, but in the 10th grade I realised that it was the only class I liked and looked forward to going to. I even spent some of my spare time in the art room."

Now she is living her dream - doing something that she loves on articles that families use every day.

The line of kitchenware that includes abstract painting on espresso mugs and bougainvillea designs is available and on display at Cannonball Cave at Barbican Centre, next door to Loshusan.

jody-anne.lawrence@gleanerjm.com