This is the beginning of a series of interviews with our talented artists and artisans so we all can get to know more about the people who make the Western Mass arts community tick. Check back often to learn more about these creative and interesting people!
Today, we feature Cate Woolner, a talented photographer from Northfield, MA. Her images feature some of the most beautiful scenery I have ever seen, from icebergs to flowers and even comedic penguins! Be sure to check out her work online.
Name: Cate Woolner
Shop Name: Cate Woolner Photography
Websites: www.catewoolnerphoto.com & www.catewool.etsy.com
Tell us a bit about yourself and what arts/ crafts that you make?
After a long and satisfying career in non-profits and social services, including The Mediation and Training Collaborative in Greenfield, MA, I made a leap of faith, cut work hours way down and began taking photography classes at GCC, which has a WONDERFUL art department. My “serious” fine art photos are mostly landscapes, the natural world and social commentary. I began selling at art fairs in the fall of 2009. Since 2-dimensional fine art is difficult to sell in most of those venues, I have begun to expand my line of smaller and more decorative photos and also collect driftwood and attach beach and rural images to the wood. Having traveled to Antarctica and returned with lots of penguin images, I also make use some of those images on t-shirts and tanks.
Where in Western Mass do you call home?
Northfield, the only town on both sides of the Connecticut River!
What is your favorite item in your shop?
A majestic landscape in Antarctica of 3 icebergs.
What is your best seller?
Photographs with penguins.
How does your day go in general?
Some days more time than I wish editing and printing and promoting and taking care of the business end and less time out in the field with my camera, then I spend several half days outside with my camera and get recharged.
What inspires you?
Light in the natural world.
What is your goal for 2010?
Not get discouraged.
What is your favorite tool that you cannot live without?
My eyes
and my camera.
How do you like to support the local arts community?
Support the artisans, barter and refer friends and buyers to other artisans.
How do you promote your shop?
Web site appears on all my outgoing e-mail, Etsy shop, mailing list for shows, Facebook page.
Any advice for a newbie running his or her on-line shop?
Still in need of advice myself.
Any advice for starting out in the craft show world?
Go to fairs, look at other artists’ booths, talk to them, watch a crowd at a fair, where do their eyes go, what draws them in.
During this recession time, tell us one thing that you do to save money/be more efficient?
Not buy anything new for my displays but rather scour my basement and Salvation Army for old furniture, book cases etc…
How do you try to keep your dollars local?
Buy as much food grown locally as possible, buy gifts for others from local artists shop at locally owned store as much as possible.
Any hidden talents?
I am a professional mediator.



