Martha Graham to Agnes de Mille:
“There is a vitality, a life force, an energy, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and because there is only one of you in all of time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and it will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep yourself open and aware to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. As for you, Agnes, you have so far used about one-third of your talent.”
“But,” I said, “when I see my work I take for granted what other people value in it. I see only its ineptitude, inorganic flaws, and crudities. I am not pleased or satisfied.”
“No artist is pleased.”
“But then there is no satisfaction?”
“No satisfaction whatever at any time,” she cried out passionately. “There is only a queer divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than the others.”
Hello.
Before you dive into all the excellent and exciting things there is to know about me, let me help you out with my last name so you aren't saying "cat nip" in your head. My last name is pronounced "Kuh - Nipe." Yes, you say the K and the I is long like in kite. Onto the second order of business, let me tell you a few things about myself. Fact #1: I'm that person that absolutely loves vastly different things in all areas on the spectrum of life. Although art and photography are at the top of the list, I'm also passionate about film and documentaries, the environment, animal science, fluid dynamics, physics, philosophy, dogs (particularly my dog), mental health, traveling, being part of the LGBTQ+ community, and the occasional conspiracy theory. I love it all.
Fact #2: Unlike many young photographers my age, I didn't start out with a digital camera. When I was 16, I loaded my own film into my mom's Nikon 2020, shot some terribly overexposed pictures, developed the negatives by myself, and learned the magic that happens in a darkroom. Starting out this way gave me some true appreciation for the photograph and the art of "creating" an image that I think a lot of young photographers lack today. The darkroom also fueled my passion for experimentation that I have continued through my digital work and have begun bringing into short films and videos.
I love the darkroom so much, I made an experimental doc surrounding it called “The Old Fashioned Way”, which you can check out on my video page.
Fact #3: Because I love it all, I want to do it all: Documentaries, experimental film, abstract and thought provoking photography, curator, director, screen writer, researcher, travel nut, avid reader, teacher, and life long student.
Email me at: cat.kneip@gmail.com
AWARDS
CAMS 3.0 Showcase:
Best Cinematography (Documentary) The Old Fashioned Way
Jury Prize The Old Fashioned Way
Scholastic's Art And Writing National Award (Silver Medal -Photography Portfolio).
Overtures Semifinalist -Photography
PRESS
Her Campus Magazine: Underwater Project
Her Campus Magazine: Photographer Extraordinaire
Past Photography Exhibitions
Aromas's Java and Gelato Double Exposed (photography) 2016
Coffee Emporium Hands and Tank (photography) 2016