Classy…boujee…ratchet
Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” lyrics were practically engrained in freshman Kat Ferry’s mind as she finished the final moves of Stallion’s viral TikTok dance.
For most other teens, the TikTok-ing process would end here to then be posted with hopes of making it onto the coveted “For You Page,” but Kat still had five to six more hours of work to complete her 15-second masterpiece. Sitting down at her desk, she graphically drew and animated a cartoon version of herself doing the dance routine.
As the boredom of quarantine came to a peak in late March, Kat found herself searching for something new to fulfill her time. After sketching out an avocado, slices of bread and a toaster, Kat decided to utilize her self-taught drawing and video skills to kickstart her latest artistic adventure: stop motion animation.
Whether she’s creating a stop motion on the making of avocado toast or a more impactful topic such as bringing awareness to climate change and Black Lives Matter, Kat finds inspiration in nearly everything.
“I don’t take a lot of time to brainstorm,” Kat said. “Usually my ideas just come to me, and then I really want to get started with whatever I’m doing.”
Kat picked up the tedious process of animation and editing software with no problem — sketching out her latest ideas on her iPad with an Apple Pen, editing clips together using Procreate and posting on her Instagram @kats_.kreations or TikTok @kat.ferry. With her passion and drive for art, it’s rare for Kat to give up on a project.
“When I start a project, I don’t stop until I’m finished,” Kat said. “That could take five or six hours. Sometimes it takes a day or two.”
Within minutes of putting up a new TikTok or Instagram video, Kat’s feed is filled with supportive comments from friends and classmates.
“Usually a lot of people really enjoy what I make, which is my favorite part because it makes me feel like the hours I put into it were worth it,” Kat said.
Born into an artistic family of singers, dancers and painters, Kat’s abilities come naturally, and digital animation isn’t the only art form Kat enjoys. Inspired by her dad, John Ferry, a painting professor at the Kansas City Art Institute, Kat also makes custom paintings for friends and is currently in the process of starting a website where she can actively sell her paintings and broaden her audience.
“I don’t remember her not being [artistic],” John said. “I noticed early on. She’s always been very interested, and then I think as she’s gotten into animations, [she’s] been even more.”
Although the two work separately on their own projects, occasionally borrowing a canvas or brush set from time to time, Kat and John have bonded over their love for art, a bond that John believes will grow even more as she gets older.
“I hope she never gives it up, but that doesn’t mean she needs to go into a profession for it,” John said. “I just want her to get satisfaction from it and gain more confidence in herself.”
John notes his pride in Kat’s willingness to incorporate heavier and more political topics into her work. While she finds joy in her childlike creations, such as “Dibby Duck Cooking Adventures” claymation, she’s not afraid to speak out against racial injustice and emphasize the importance of social distancing amid the pandemic.
“She really has a big heart and doesn’t just say, ‘Oh here’s something cute I did,’” John said. “I think even more recently she’s started to take on more political issues and things affecting our times, and I’m really proud of her for being mature about her subject matter.”
Between droughts of artist’s block and the frustration of transforming the ideas in her head onto paper or the screen, Kat goes through periods of feeling uninspired. But Kat explained that starting with something small, like meeting up with friends to paint or draw, will always get her creative juices flowing again.
While art remains a hobby for Kat’s high school years, as she’s enrolled in Intro to Studio Art and Ceramics, she can certainly see herself becoming an art teacher or another art-related career in the future.
“I want to make sure I’m always doing my art, and I don’t lose it,” Kat said. “I want to be sure I’m always making time to do something artistic, even if it’s something small. I just don’t ever want to stop doing this.”
