Meet the Artist: Kassy🖤✨
Hi, I'm Kassy! 🖤✨ While I know I've gotten better at showing my face publicly recently, I came across some pictures from when I was probably five or six years old, and I thought it could be fun to do a little "Meet the Artist," so I asked the big search engine for some inspiration questions, and came up with a few more of my own... ☺️ (there's a blank copy on our site, so you can play along and share your own "about me," if you'd like! 😁)
What’s your background? Where are you from and how does that affect your work?
I grew up in the greater Chicagoland area, in the suburbs west of the city, but close enough to have pretty regular access to all of the wonderful museums and art things in Chicago throughout my youth. I spent a lot of my summers and holidays during my childhood in Northern Wisconsin, visiting family, helping out a little on their dairy farm, and digging around in the garden, or just playing with my cousins (but more likely petting one of the barn cats). I've always had cats, but during my younger years, I had three pet bunnies, as well. Damien, my 17 month old Husky puppy was my first dog, followed shortly thereafter by Lilith (who is either 9 or 12 months old, we've seen both estimations on her rescue paperwork). 🙃
As a kid, I was often outside, sketchbook in hand at the park or in the backyard, and as I got older I spent most of my time at the forest preserve with my friends, either doodling, or teaching them how to make hemp jewelry, or some other craft project. My mom used to joke that I learned to walk by hiking at our local state park. Art class was my favorite subject, “My Big Backyard” & “Ranger Rick” magazines and 90’s PBS shows inspired my love of nature, and my ability to figure out how to get shit done. 💗🛠️✨ (Thanks, Martha Stewart & Beverly DeJulio!) All of my life, I’ve been surrounded by artists, makers, and other creative types, from my weirdo artist Uncle Thom, to my pianist grandmothers, to my aunts and cousins who paint, crochet, garden… the list goes on and on. If I don’t know how to do a thing, I probably know someone who knows how to do it… and if not, I’ll figure it out if I want it badly enough! 💖🧠 (and the important people in my life have a similar outlook! 🥰😘💞)
I've been knitting for about fifteen years, crocheting for about 29 years (what?! ...since I was 10, so I suppose that makes sense), and making jewelry for over 30 years, thanks to my grandma observing that I like sparkly things and suggesting I try playing with beads, because she knew I was going to grow up to be an artist (and it’s an easy way to get a kid to work on their dexterity)... but I love art and creating all of the things, including but not limited to embroidery, bookbinding, cookie decorating, sewing... I could keep going, but I don't want to keep you here all day! 😅
Who are your biggest influences?
Like I mentioned before, my whole family is creative… we’re singers and musicians, artists, and performers… but we’re also horticulturists and animal lovers. my BIGGEST influence throughout my life has literally been LIVING, and paying attention to the world around me, which my mom really taught me to do. A couple of my art teachers throughout my school years, as well. The ones who encouraged me to get weird and try new things... not the one who took my crayon and DREW MY FLOWER FOR ME (although there was a lesson to be learned there too, I suppose 🤷🏻♀️)
My babysitter, Steve, who taught me to crochet. My Grampa, who taught me a love of language, an offbeat sense of humor, and an importance of the need to know how to type.
All of the people who took the time to sit with this ADHD kid, and teach her to have a love of handwork, and all-of-the-arts, and the beautiful things that people put time into making with their hands and minds.
Who are your favorite artists?
Carl Brenders and Beatrix Potter are the big two that inspired me to get into art when I was young (I'd like to revisit each of these, someday, and do a few studies on some of my favorite pieces... someday 😘) A few current favorites are Leigh Ellexson, Carson Ellis, and Furry Little Peach!
Tell me about your favorite medium.
How can I pick just one? I love fiber arts of all sorts, but am admittedly a bit of a yarn snob (I prefer natural fibers whenever possible). When it comes to traditional art, I tend to opt for watercolor and colored pencils, though I'm always open to experimenting, and have really been enjoying gouache recently! I 🖤 digital art too, though (procreate, mostly). I use a Variety of metals for my jewelry, though I prefer natural, coated copper and sterling silver. My beads have been collected over the years, and many are vintage from my great-grandmother's collection, or are bits and bobs I've saved over the years from broken, well-loved pieces and thrifted/salvaged items. 💞💖
Where do you find inspiration?
EVERYWHERE!!! But for real... Nature is my favorite bit of inspiration, and color is my jam. Does it sparkle and/or shine?! Even better! 🪩
When is your favorite time of day to create?
When I'm awake. Seriously... if I'm not writing, I'm knitting. If I'm not knitting, I'm drawing. If I'm not drawing, I'm getting creative in the kitchen, or dancing with my dogs... life is for living creatively! 🥰👩🏻🎨✨
Describe how art is important to society.
What a heavy question in this day and age... art is important societally because it can be used to spread positivity or propaganda.
Choose to use it for good.
What motivates you to create?
Just DOING it, honestly. But also the want to share my work, and to encourage others to do the same! 💖💞 I set the scene with daylight (or mood lighting, if it’s dark out) and music that inspires me, and dig in to the day’s agenda, or whatever materials I’m finding inspiring today.
Which art trends inspire your current work?
Honestly, no clue. Is color a trend? What about animals? ...Or sparkly stuff? Sure. 😅 (I *do* watch an awful lot of YouTube art vlogs, so I'm sure there are trends creeping into my skull that I'm not even aware of)
How has your style changed over time?
It's becoming more "me!" ✨💖✨ Does that make sense...? I've stopped comparing myself to other artists over the years, and have made a conscious decision to just make things that I ✨LOVE✨ (or at least *like*).
How do you manage a work-life balance as an artist?
LOL. I'm constantly working on this... evenings and weekends are for family and my personal creative projects. I'm "allowed" to work on business stuff M-F, during working hours. 🤷🏻♀️🙃 It seems to be working pretty well at the moment. 💖
Where do you sell your work?
In-person, at markets and events (more coming in the future! 💖🌱☕️), and online at www.WoolMoon.Studio
✨Contact me if you’re in need of custom creative work, whatever that might be! ✨
Do you have any questions that I didn't answer here?
Comment and ask away! 😁
✨CALL TO ACTION✨
Are you a creative? Copy/Paste these questions HERE, and tag @WoolMoonStudio in your post sharing your answers, so we can learn about you too! 🥰 We can't wait to get to know you better!
Have a wonderful week! ☺️
Kassy🖤✨
💞 FIND A BLANK COPY OF THESE QUESTIONS HERE 💞
