Kathryn MacNaughton has a last name that sounds ridiculously close to naughty. Is this a coincidence? Probably. All made up coincidences aside, I really love the exploration of vintage porn and the haphazardness of texture and stray marks in her work. Once you move past the richness of the images and start exploring the subtle details it opens a whole new world to you. Small words and symbols act as clues to a story that is secretive and seductive. She only allows you to guess as to what the world in her head is like. It’s this mystery that makes me want more. I ask Kathryn some questions about her and her work below. Enjoy.

A rabbit is puking out a rainbow, girls are using elephants as squirt guns. A naked woman has an “N” protruding from her “judy”, a man on a train in his pj’s, and a banana that most people would be jealous of. It’s surreal, sexy and dirty, yet it’s all still so innocent feeling. Where are you coming from with your work? Tell us about your brain and why it generates the content that it does.

I think of myself as quite innocent. My work is a reflection of the subconscious mind. I think my true self are these character’s that I create and it’s my way of unleashing them. The world I create is the world that I wish I was in. If only we could puke out rainbows!

Stray Marks. Do you have a really dirty studio and house or are you obsessively clean with most things and let out all of your gritty aggression in your work?

I’m actually a pretty clean person. I clean constantly when I’m at home and I love organization! My studio is whole other story. I have complete freedom to be as messy as I want. I love it!  It’s in a warehouse and I share the space with a lot of other artists. They have been a great influence to my messiness.

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Do you drink while you work? If so, whats your poison.
If it’s around and I’m working late, yes. Wine or Gin.

Oh, yeah… what is your name, how old are you, and where are you from?
Kathryn Macnaughton. 24. Toronto.

Did anyone ever tell you that you had no talent and should try something new?

Never! I’ve always had amazing support and the creativity runs in the family.

What’s next? Any people you would like to work with or create for? What opportunity would make you puke rainbows from happiness?

The things I want to create and the people I want to create for is endless and constantly changing. I would really love to collaborate on a music video or an installation for fashion. I’m also trying to focus on silkscreening at the moment. I would really love to have a show.

You seem to have a few political and social topics that you address. A few topics seem to be racism, financial douche-bags, and Indian superiority. Are these random topics or is there a deeper political philosophy feeding pieces like those?

Some of them are for editorial magazines that illustrate an article given to me. The posters were for my thesis class in university. I chose organizations that I would potentially like to work with and I created a poster for the cause.

Name three bands that you think are rad. Remember, We all will be judging you to the very core of your being.

Efterklang, Local Natives, and Fever Ray. All 3 concerts were unbelievable.

My special vintage magazine shop has some real characters to say the least. When digging for old magazines do you run into a lot of creepy people? Got any stories?

You would think! Most of the men selling to me are really nice. It’s all very normal. I’ve learned to do the vintage porn shopping by myself though. Most of my friends think it’s strange and feel a little uncomfortable when I get really excited about porn and rummage through it.

I’ve been aware of your work for a while. I’ve seen it on Strange Attractor and a few other blogs. It seems that most of the time there is just a post of your work or they ask you about what medium you work in. Its seems like a very steril portrayal of work that seems to be gritty and direct. Basically, I’m saying that if you were in SF I bet you would throw down at a fun art party. Am i right? You got any great stories of crazy times?

I know I would!! I should probably move to SF. No crazy times yet… unfortunately I’m way to focused on the work, but I promise you that a kick ass art party is in order and you are invited!