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Mixed media: handspun hemp, wool, nylon, & bamboo- handwoven. Bleached, upcycled denim, hand sewn, acrylic.
“Star Spangled Blues” is a representation of the most critical, cross-cutting issues currently confronting America, many of which have been further exacerbated during the past four years. The artwork was created during the earliest days of the 2020 pandemic lockdown to serve as a living archive of our nation’s daunting systemic social, political and economic divide.
While spinning the yarn, the artist reflected on the wide range of deep-seated issues challenging the well-being of American society. Then during the weaving, stitching and painting phases, she catalogued them against an off-blue background, to serve as modern day replacements for the bright white stars embedded in the deep blue of our nation’s most cherished symbol of unity and freedom.
‘Star Spangled Blues’ can be considered the artist’s modern day representation of a 2020 time capsule, the contents of which require serious soul searching and deep healing in the midst of today’s malevolent firestorm.
Bleached upcycled denim, hand stitched & painted
Wool, bamboo, nylon
Handspun bamboo, nylon, & wool
Handwoven bamboo, nylon & wool
Handspun Hemp
Handspun Hemp
Hemp Warp
18” x 26” - Handspun Wool, bleached denim, cotton. Woven & Quilted.
“Rebuild your world, rebuild your race, rebuild your empire. Rebuild it all. But make sure you rebuild your ideals too. Rebuild the principles that made you a great and honorable galactic power in the first place. Don’t prey on the weak. Don’t steal from the helpless. Don’t murder the innocent. Be a force for good, not a force for yourself.” -Dan Abnett, Doctor Who: The Silent Stars Go By 💫
Since the middle of March 2020 (beginning of quarantine) I have spent countless hours reflecting on my privilege. I had the privilege to stay safe at home during a pandemic doing non-essential work, while my sister, an ICU nurse at Lenox Hill Hospital treated COVID-19 patients. Privileged to be safe at home while ALL essential workers were out risking their lives to keep society afloat. Privileged to have my loom, spinning wheel and other art supplies to still my mind and occupy my hands.
I spent countless hours thinking about how the virus does not discriminate against race, religion, political party affiliation, etc. Anyone could (can) succumb to it. After all, we are all made of the same star dust, spun into a person and woven into the tapestry of humanity. A tapestry that is vast, beautiful, tragic and diverse. A tapestry that needs to be cut up, and rebuilt for the greater good.
More importantly, the last three weeks have forced me to sit, uncomfortably, with my white privilege. My heart broke as I watched the video of George Floyd’s murder. Every time I think about it my stomach turns, a lump in my throat forms and my eyes swell. The same feelings arise when revisiting the tragic and untimely deaths of Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, Tamir Rice, Tony McDade, Trayvon Martin, Laquan McDonald, Freddie Gray, Eric Garner, Michael Brown, Philando Castile and countless others.
How does this keep happening? Why are there so many hateful people in our society/government who can’t empathize with our Black brothers and sisters? Why are peaceful protestors being tear gassed, shot at with rubber bullets and beaten? Why is there especially a lack of empathy during a PANDEMIC?
I am heartbroken and so angry. I am motivated to use my privilege for rebuilding and reimagining our future. I vow to continue educating myself on systemic oppression. I vow to keep listening to the Black community. I vow to keep learning, no matter how uncomfortable it makes me feel. I vow to support BIPOC small businesses and amplify BIPOC voices. I vow to keep donating to organizations who are working for the greater good. Thank you 🙏🏻 ✨ 🌍 🖤 ✨
NFT available on OpenSea.io
“A great thought begins by seeing something differently, a shift of the mind’s eye.” - Albert Einstein
Universal Mindfunk was created for Kathleen's final portfolio presentation at F.I.T. The prints are inspired by ethnic motifs in a digital platform. These prints were created by manipulating paintings in addition to designing on the computer.
For the woven pieces in this collection, Kathleen handspun the majority of the yarn used on a Kromski Sonota wheel. Fibers used to create these yarns include: alpaca, bamboo, hemp, baby camel, mawata silk, tussah silk, merino wool, cormo wool, and Blue Face Leicester wool. Additionally Kathleen spun yarn out of VHS tape, plastic bag, and recycled denim and plied them with natural fibers to create a unique yarn. These fabrics have a soft and luxurious hand.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using strips of recycled denim combined with a handspun merino plied with VHS tape & upcycled plastic bags.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using recycled denim as the fill.
Tapestry woven on a frame loom using handspun cormo wool, upcylced plastic bags, cotton and polyester.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using cotton fill.
Handwoven on an eight harness loom using cotton fill.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun merino/mawata silk yarn and cotton.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun merino/mawata silk yarn, handspun alpaca/cormo, cotton and polyester.
Handwoven on an eight harness table loom using a handspun merino/mawata silk yarn; hand painted warp.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using a handspun/hand dyed merino wool.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom. Handspun BFL/silk plied with bamboo, mawata silk.
Handwoven on an eight harness table loom using a combination of cotton and polyester fill. Hand painted warp.
Handwoven on an eight harness table loom using a handspun/hand dyed merino wool; hand painted warp.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using a cotton and polyester fill.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun bamboo, handspun merino and handspun mawata silk.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun baby camel, alpaca, BFL and bamboo.
Handwoven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun BFL/silk, merino and bamboo in one strand combined with a handspun merino/VHS tape yarn.
Hand woven on an eight harness floor loom using handspun alpaca/silk.
Heat setting the dyes to the mawata silk hankies
Hand dyed mawata silk hankies
A double block woven collection inspired by the art of Bridgit Riley. All samples were woven on a twelve harness floor loom.
8"x10" gouache on watercolor paper
Gouache, 2.5” x 3.5”
18"x24''
Gouache on watercolor paper
Noreem Seabrook Rug Design Competition- Honorable Mention, Fall 2014.
18"x24"
Gouache & India ink on watercolor paper
15"x15"
Lino print on fabric paper and painted with gouache
8.5"x10"
Gouache & dyes on watercolor paper
Hand printed scarves
28"x28" pigment on linen
28"x28" pigment on silk
28"x28" pigment on linen
28"x28" pigments on silk
28"x28" pigments on linen
28"x28" pigments on silk
28"x28" pigments on cotton
28"x28" pigments on polyester
A collection of wovens inspired by David Bowie. All samples were woven on an eight harness table loom.
18"x 24"
India ink
24"x30"
Conte crayons and charcoal
30''x24"
Conte crayons and charcoal
24"x30"
Conte crayons and charcoal
Jacquard design created in NedGraphics
Polyester warp, cotton fill
Stationery, Envelope Liner & Notebook
Digitally altered gouache painting & collage.
Thank You note & envelope liner
Pen & Ink
Stationery, envelope liner, notebook
Tie dyed paper
Greeting card & envelope liner
Adobe Illustrator
Best friend greeting card & envelope liner
Watercolor, colored pencils
