From the Earth to the Brush: Creating Stratum and Stone

Jun 5

Written By Katie Podracky

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Have you ever had a creative spark of an idea so elegant that you simply had to see if it was possible?

On a recent road trip through Utah, my jaw dropped at the otherworldly colors of the terrain. Looking at those brilliant canyon walls and sun-baked vistas, a question took hold: Can I create a painting of the Utah landscape using the Utah landscape itself as the paint?

Turns out, you can. And the results are absolutely beautiful.

Every few miles, a striking new vein of colored soil would appear along the highway. I found myself frequently hopping out of the car to forage small samples of vibrant sand and rock. Back in the studio, I spent months grinding and processing these raw geologic artifacts into custom, handmade watercolors. Maybe it’s just my inner cave-painter activating, but there is something deeply satisfying about working with pigments pulled straight from the earth.

Using this hand-foraged palette—supplemented only by a touch of Lapis Lazuli for the desert skies—I’ve created a highly limited capsule collection of just five paintings titled Stratum and Stone. These pieces are created especially for the collector who treasures physical artifacts, loves a rich story, and holds a deep reverence for the wild beauty of our National Parks.

Join Me for TERRA at Greenhill

I am thrilled to invite you to a brand-new exhibition called TERRA at the Greenhill Center for N.C. Art.

The Stratum and Stone series will make its debut here, alongside several of my vibrant new paintings from Acadia National Park. I would love to see you at the opening reception to celebrate, chat about the process, and share these pieces with you in person.

Exhibition & Reception Details

Exhibition Dates: July 25 – November 7, 2026
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 25th, 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Location: Greenhill Center for N.C. Art | 200 N. Davie St., Greensboro, N.C.
Navigational Tip: Park in the Church Street parking deck for the easiest entrance to the gallery!

Save the Date: Terra Chroma Workshop

Want to learn how to forage and create your own palette? I’ll be hosting an intimate, hands-on workshop at Greenhill’s Art Bar.

I’ll share a behind-the-scenes look at how I processed the pigments for Stratum and Stone, guide you through the process of making your own handmade watercolor paint from raw materials, and together, we will paint a simple landscape using our own local, iconic North Carolina red clay.

Event: Art Bar: Terra Chroma Workshop with Katie Podracky
Date: The evening of Wednesday, August 26, 2026
Location: Greenhill Center for N.C. Art

Space will be limited for this hands-on evening, so stay tuned for registration details. I can't wait to share this earthy, experimental journey with you!