Artist Profile: Kathy York

Kathy York

Austin, TX

1. What other ideas for this theme "rituals" did you have? I had trouble coming up with an idea for the theme for this exhibit. When I finally came up with an idea, I was worried because it was so representational and most of my work has been abstract lately.  But, I am quite happy with the way it came out.

2.  Are you involved in any community or group projects where you donate your work?  if yes, what project or projects? Our art quilt bee typically donates small auction quilts for our guild and for IQA.  I also donate work to the SAQA auction, and have in the past donated quilts to my children's school for a fundraiser.

3.  Do you belong to a small group of like-minded artists?  yes/no  name/where  what is the best part of being part of an art group? Yes, I belong to a group of artists that make collaborative art quilts. We are known as the Austin Art Bee. The best part? The friendships that have formed.

4.  Are you a member of a professional art organization, such as SAQA?  Have you ever held a volunteer position in the organization, and if so, what? Yes, I belong to SAQA. I have not held a position in the organization yet, but I do like volunteering during the Houston International Quilt Festival.  I also belong to the Surface Design Association, but have not been involved beyond paying my dues.....yet.

5.  What is your favorite palette of colors that you use in your work?  name 5 and your least favorite colors?  My favorite palette of colors is any combination of almost all pure bright colors. I don't like pastels, and I don't like muted colors. And, my work almost always has aqua!

6.  Describe your creative work space in 20 words or less.  are you messy or tidy? An organic flow to an ever-changing vista of furniture and workspace; it is neat only between projects.

7.  What is your creative process?  think, draw, design, make or right to the design    I get an idea.  Many times during the formation of the concept, it is not always obvious exactly what I need to do next. I consider multiple options about how to actually make it come to life, and then choose one. Often it involves experimenting with materials and techniques. And, the experiments do not always work. But when they do, it is very rewarding!

8.   Is there a particular object or shape that shows up repeatedly in your work?  Why? Yes, I am really drawn to abstract representations of housing units. I don't really know why.

9.   If you had to choose a favorite artist from another media, who would it be, and why? I love looking at architectural wonders on Pinterest. Some of my favorites are Frank Gehry and Hundertwasser, probably because they both thought “out of the box”. Very fresh and original regardless of the difficulties it made for their engineers.

10.  Have you written a book related to Art Quilts and Quilting or have an instructional DVD?  If so, can you tell us the title or titles? No.

11.  Do you make art full time?   If you have another career, would you describe what you do? and how you incorporate art into your life? I am a full time mother, and fit art in at every spare moment. I carve out chunks of time for my art while kids are at school or in the evenings.

12.  What is your most thrilling news to date in relation to your art quilt life? At any given time, the single most thrilling news is the next step in my current project. Right now I am working on a deer quilt for entry to Quilt National. The work itself has me awestruck! It is really all about the process!

Blog: www.aquamoonartquilts.blogspot.com