Hi I’m Kate!

I’ve always had a curiosity and passion for art. I spent my high school years twisting English and social studies projects into art projects. It wasn’t until studying art in college that I learned how much more I excel at art. My passion has only grown as I’ve learned many trades and enjoyed a two-decade career in graphic design and digital design. Along the way, I spend my evenings crafting and trying to start dance parties.

My professional training helps me easily identify how makers level up their art. And I’ve found the mindset of testing, trying and refining (the idea pulled from digital design) to be powerful when applied to art making. I can’t wait to share the lessons I’ve learned with you.

“If I want to be a happy human, I need to make my own art.”

— Kate

avid crafter and artist

graphic designer

digital designer

My approach to life and art

Everyone is creative.

Every human in every color, with every pronoun, and any varied label is both innately creative and also unique in how they express that creativity. It’s never too late to claim it!

Curiosity sparks magic.

Follow that curiosity with reckless abandon. Your embarrassed high school self will feel awkward about following that curiosity. But it is actually the key to your next big thing.
Choose joy, fun, and gratefulness. Most days we have a choice to focus on what’s going well instead of what’s hitting a nerve. I pick dance parties over gripe sessions every day.

Growing into our full selves is worth the effort.

It takes a lifetime to figure out who we are. It is the good, hard, roll-up-your-sleeves kind of investment. It will take practice and feel weird but be oh so worthwhile.

Our communities need us.

The people around you need healthy, happy you. They need your gifts. And you need their expertise, encouragement, and hugs. Being our full selves allows us to see the humanity and needs of others so we can be more fully present.

Types of craft I’ve done

Paper Art

I love making multi-media art in many forms. I focus mostly on layering my own patterns and textures on either paper, fabric or wood. I’m more intuitive, expression-centered artist instead of being meticulously calculated.

Fabric Art

My art coaching is applicable to any medium, but I’m more expert at the following crafts I’ve tried throughout the years including:

Collaging – Abstract acrylic, making your own stencils, creating texture from unusual objects, emotional and personal expression.

Machine Sewing – Free-hand machine embroidery, sewing purses, felt bookmarks, silly costumes, basic quilting

Hand Sewing – Self-created and pattern embroidery, cross stitch

Paper art – Drawing then printing on Silhouette paper cutter, creating your own stencils, layered paper art, shadow boxes

Painting – Abstract acrylic, abstract watercolor, large expressive art on cardboard

Drawing – Drawing objects and basics of figure drawing

Ceramics – Hand-made objects, figure modeling, basics of the wheel

Clay Making – Sculpting tiny objects, especially food :)

Embroidery - Basic playful stitching, cross stitching.

Fiber art – Basic knitting and felting.

Photography – Nature and editorial photography (I have a BA in Photography and 17 years of experience)

Jewelry-Making – Beading, clay, some epoxy work

Wood Carving – Basics of power carving and wood carving. Wood burning. Focus on relief carving.

Décor – Reconstructing objects inspired by in-store décor, using unusual objects to make something on the cheap or refinish an object to give it new life.

Construction - Basic understanding of how a house is put together. I often then repurpose those materials and concepts with the art I make.

Digital Design – designing websites and organizing site information (I’ve been practicing for 7 years - including UX, UI, IA and digital strategy)

Graphic Design – making posters, logos, newspapers, books (I have a BA in Commercial design and 17 years of experience)

If you don’t see something on this list, have no fear! My one-on-one art coaching curriculum covers universal benefits and challenges that are universal to creators of all kinds.