Injinji’s Artist Designed series includes socks intentionally designed by talented creatives who find inspiration in the natural world. Each pair of Artist Designed socks tells a story, tying into a theme chosen by the artist. The designs are created exclusively for Injinji, and the socks are Limited Edition – so don’t wait to stock up!
The Boundary Waters collection is the fifth in the Artist Designed series, created by Katie Cooney, a Tetons-based photographer, artist, and illustrator. Katie works with clients like OnX Backcountry, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Gnarly Nutrition.
In this interview, Katie shares the influences behind this collection, and what most inspired her vibrant designs.
Interview with the Artist: Katie Cooney
You chose the Boundary Waters theme, are there specific places or memories you thought of when creating these?
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area (located in Northern Minnesota) has had a special place in my heart for as long as I can remember – my parents did many trips to the BWCA before I was around; I loved looking at photos of their BWCA adventures as a kid and imagining being there myself.
The imagery in my collection draws on my collective memories from time spent in the BWCA and North Woods of Wisconsin – loons floating along on a sunny day, paddling through lily pads, vivid sunsets, starry nights, and more.
Can you share an artist statement for this collection?
This collection captures elements of the Boundary Waters that stand out in my memories, paired with the bold yet earthy colors of my illustration style.
The beauty of Midwestern landscapes is often overlooked when compared to the dramatic landscapes of the Western US. They don’t smack you over the head the way Moab, Yosemite, or the Tetons and the like do – the Midwest has a humbler beauty you have to spend time with to appreciate fully!
The Boundary Waters embody a child-like joy and sense of peace for me. I adore the simple pleasure of swimming in a lake, listening to the call of a loon echo across the water, and having a campfire under the stars – and if you’re lucky, maybe the howl of a wolf or a Northern Lights show.
Can you share about your design process for this collection?
My projects always start with collecting inspiration! With a collection or pattern-based project like this one, I like to start with a list to help me organize ideas. From there, I narrow down the list and make a mood board that includes reference images and color palette ideas.
Having a mood board helps me see how all of my ideas will work together to make a cohesive collection! From there, I’ll do a mix of sketching on paper and my iPad in Adobe Fresco, then start “inking” with Fresco’s vector brushes to create the final artwork. For this style, the last step is a touch-up in Adobe Illustrator to clean up my linework.
I got my degree in printmaking and photography. My background as a screen printer has helped me immensely as an illustrator - it taught me how to use a limited color palette and layer colors effectively!
Which design from the Boundary Waters collection is your favorite and why?
Gosh, it’s so hard to choose! Can I pick two!? First is the Dusk sock, because there’s something really magical about being in a canoe as the sun sets. The reflection on the water makes it feel like you’re totally drenched in sunset.
The Hydro sock is my other favorite! It’s loosely based on the map section that I used during my last trip to the boundary waters. Topo maps are a staple in outdoor adventures, and I love that they’ve looked the same for so long – even in a new place, there’s always the familiar feeling of tracing over the topo lines with your finger.
If you had to choose a song or album to accompany this series, which would you choose?
Harvest Moon by Neil Young. Something about it fits in perfectly with sitting by the campfire as the sun goes down over the water. Swimsuits hung in a tree, canoes pulled on shore, the stars coming out... you get the picture!
How did you get into illustration and design, and what has been the most fulfilling aspect of being an artist professionally?
I don’t think I ever had any real career aspirations that weren’t in a creative field! Art has always been the thing that I’m best at and the thing that makes me the happiest.
I’ve always been passionate about art and nature, and eventually figured out that I wanted to focus my creative work on nature and experiencing the outdoors. I went to school for fine art and environmental science, and becoming an outdoor-focused illustrator has been an exciting way to bring my passions together. I love getting to tell people that I use my fine art degree – so many people asked me, “What are you going to do with an art degree?” as though a creative career wasn’t a “real” choice!
One of the most fulfilling aspects of being an artist is being able to share the way I see my world with others and seeing how it excites them, makes them think, or brings up memories. I’ve come to really love making functional art pieces – like socks, water bottles, or hats – that become a part of people’s everyday lives and become treasured belongings.
What are your favorite ways to spend time outside?
Skiing was my first love! My grandma who was an illustrator was also very Norwegian – she insisted that I learn to ski at about age two, not long after I was walking. I’m still a dedicated and passionate skier and love backcountry skiing these days.
In the warmer months, I love mountain biking and backpacking. My favorite backpacking trip in recent years was a bucket list trip to Glacier National Park with my two best gal pals!
While I don’t live in the Midwest anymore, I hope I have many more canoe trips to the Boundary Waters in my future!
What draws you to creating art about nature?
I love that creating art about nature encourages me to slow down and take in every element of the landscape around me – light, color, patterns, shapes, etcetera. Details like a light breeze or ray of sun can be transformed into an element of an illustration that brings the essence of a moment to life for viewers. If I didn’t take time to appreciate those details in my own experiences, I think it would be hard to conjure them in my artwork!
Art and illustration are incredible tools of communication – you can transport someone into a scene that they’ve never seen before and help their imagination run wild with it.
Do you have a motto or mantra that you live by in your creative life?
Stay curious! Curiosity compels me to explore, observe, and learn. Curiosity is a key to creativity for me! It encourages me to ask questions, look closer, play, and experiment.
If people would like to follow your journey, where can they find you?
You can find me online at ktcooney.com and on Instagram as @ktcooney!
Is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
In the past, the Boundary Waters and Greater Quetico-Superior Ecosystem have been threatened by America’s most toxic industry: sulfide-ore copper mining. Thanks to the long-term efforts of Boundary Waters lovers and advocates, last year, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland imposed a 20-year federal ban on copper nickel mining in the Superior National Forest, including the BWCA.
When there are opportunities to speak out about protecting the wild places that you cherish, please do your part and participate however you can! Your voice might feel like a drop in the bucket, but collectively, they become so much more.
Learn more at savetheboundarywaters.org.
Lastly – thank you so much to the Injinji team for bringing me on this journey! It has been so special to capture and share a place that is so near and dear to my heart and I hope folks love wearing them.
