Kathryn Sullivan

As a fiber artist I love to play with the look and feeling of comfort versus discomfort. I explore what objects and memories we associate with physical comfort and the idea of being comfortable with oneself.  I like to juxtapose themes of being playful and inviting yet at the same time slightly unsettling and disturbing. I use materials such as fabric, wool, and yarn to make small soft sculptures of real life objects, most of which represent our fears and insecurities. I strive to reach past the boundaries we create for ourselves and allow my art to reflect the struggles that we don’t often like to show. I want my work to remind viewers that it’s okay to be imperfect, unsettled, or sometimes even a little gross. By accepting these fears and insecurities, I believe that, we as individuals become more unique, versatile, and beautiful.

To purchase art, scroll to the form at the bottom of the artist’s page.

Art for Sale

 

 

Strength in Emotions 

Quilted fabric and crochet

Ready to hang

2’ x 2.5’

2020

$75 includes shipping

For most of my life, I have been told that I was over emotional and too sensitive. I’ve always viewed the intensity of my emotions as a negative part of my personality, like it somehow made me a weaker person. However, as I grow older and more accepting of myself, I have begun to view my sensitivity as one of my greatest character strengths. I believe it has allowed me to be more insightful and reflective of myself, making me more empathetic and open to others. I believe that it also creates more meaning in my artwork, as well as my work with other people and their art practices.

This small quilt symbolizes my strength. A quilt is sturdy and pieced together with a soft interior making it stronger than other blankets. This one is made up of repurposed fabric scraps, similar to the idea of picking yourself up, taking parts of different life experiences and growing from them to make you who you are. They are many layers and pieces that come together to make a whole. I chose to sew them together using wavy patterned lines, similar to those on a topographic map to represent life’s journey. On top I crocheted a tear, the knots all working together represent the complexity and strength of my emotions

Beautiful Darlings

Fabric, Screen printed fabric, wool, yarn, stuffing

16 pieces, each piece ~8”-10”x 6”x 2” (contact for individual sizes)

$45 for individual plaque includes shipping

Ready to hang

2016-2018

In my work, I often like to juxtapose themes of being playful and inviting yet at the same time slightly unsettling and disturbing. These woman-shaped, voodoo-like dolls attempt to demonstrate the fear of diseases, loneliness, ugliness, pain, scars, and physical insecurities. I strive to reach past the boundaries we create for ourselves and allow my art to reflect the struggles that we don’t often like to show. I want my work to remind viewers that it’s okay to be imperfect, unsettled, or sometimes even a little gross. By accepting these fears and insecurities, I believe that, we as individuals become more unique, versatile, and beautiful.

Painting of pastel colors.

 

 

PCEAT

Acrylic medium and acrylic paint on canvas

Ready to hang

18″ x 24″

$150 shipping included

2020

            Person centered art therapy was first developed by Natalie Rogers in the early 90s. It seeks to help people discover who they are and their deeper emotions in nonverbal ways. This technique brings together the mind and body to form linear thoughts and bring out imagination, intuition and in some cases easier communication. It allows individuals to explore themselves in different ways and use rhythmic, kinesthetic, and visual techniques to help sooth and/or express themselves. I used the process of painting to decompress from the stress of getting my master’s degree. For this piece, I focused on the movement of my brush as well as the colors and textures of painting

Sea creatures made of felt.

Sea creature made of felt.

 

 

Nudibranchs

Needle Felted Wool

7” x 4” x 3”

2020

Commission Only $25-$40

Includes shipping

            About 6 months ago I discovered these beautiful sea slug type creatures called Nudibranchs. They come in so many different vibrant colors, intricate patterns and sizes. I was immediately captivated so I decided to needle felt a few. I also used the process of needle felting, stabbing a thin pronged needle into wool, as a calming mechanism.

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