Kate Tova

Lives and works in Monterey, CA

Artist statement

My practice is grounded in the interconnectedness of the natural world, drawing equally from my Ukrainian heritage and the California landscape surrounding my studio. These two points of origin inform not only my imagery but my understanding of nature as a living archive of memory, resilience, and care. My primary medium is oil and acrylic paint, often used in combination with organic matter and repurposed objects. Among my tools are plants harvested from my own garden: stems, petals, and leaves that leave direct impressions on the canvas. Working this way gives my practice a ritualistic quality and ties it to the rhythm of the seasons. Vibrant color and dense floral motifs are central to my visual language. I am drawn in particular to California wildflowers, which possess a remarkable capacity to flourish after disruption. I return to them as symbols of perseverance and as a way of examining themes of healing, restoration, and the passage of time. My Ukrainian heritage carries a deep traditional reverence for the natural world, and I bring that sensibility to how I engage with material and emotional charge of color. Through my work, I hope to cultivate a sense of collective peace and a deeper care for body, mind, and the environment that sustains us.

Artwork