We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kait Batts a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kait, appreciate you joining us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Both of my parents have always been extremely supportive of any endeavor in to the arts I have wanted to take. As a kid I was allowed to try my hand in all manner of art be it performing, visual or fine arts. I even did puppetry for a time in 5th grade. Being able to try different things allowed me to both explore but also continue to evolve as an artist. In middle school I decided I wanted to learn to knit. My mom gave me my grandmothers knitting needles and I taught myself. By grad school, my wrists had enough. Thanks to the experiences I had as a kid, I knew that this did not mean I had to just give up fiber art. Instead, I asked for my grandmother’s embroidery supplies and got to work teaching myself. The underlying hero here is my grandmother. I really wish I had gotten more time with her so that I could have the memory of learning these things from her directly. Thanks to my mom’s sentimentality and love of crafting, I was able to teach myself using the same tools my grandmother would likely have used to teach me if we had the chance. My parents also taught me how to appreciate art and the different forms that it takes. I was taught that if I found myself either not understanding someone’s art, or downright disliking it, I should reframe my thoughts to be more accepting. My mom sometimes says, “Isn’t it nice that everyone is so different'” This phrase always reminds me to appreciate how other people express themselves. It also helps me to remain confident whenever someone does not like or understand my work. I’m really grateful for the perspective and encouragement they have given me.

Kait, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My journey as a fiber artist is one that’s deeply personal to me. My love of modern embroidery began with a simple bag of hoops and embroidery floss that once belonged to my grandmother. Seven years later, it has become my primary mode of self-expression. What excites me about my craft is pushing the boundaries of traditional embroidery. My favorite pieces usually use thread painting- an embroidery technique where I blend thread colors to create images that resemble paintings more than stitches.

I enjoy incorporating diverse mediums like fabric paint and watercolor pencils, particularly in pieces that lean towards line drawings or have a minimalist vibe. I’ve even delved into using materials like wool, yarn, and, when embroidering veils, stitching dried flowers onto tulle. In the upcoming year I look forward to finding more opportunities to think ‘outside the hoop,’ and create bigger pieces or even installations.

My artwork is a reflection of who I am, embodying both my sense of humor and a darker, more introspective aesthetic. I find myself oscillating between vibrant, expressive colors in playful, sometimes bold pieces that touch on mental health and body image, and more subdued greyscale works depicting people and animals. But to be honest, I gravitate toward darker, even monochromatic black pieces.

A critical aspect of my work is inclusivity. I strive to represent diverse races, body types, gender identities, and sexualities in my pieces. This inclusiveness isn’t just about the art; it’s about connection. The more I embrace diversity in my work, the closer I feel to my community. My goal is to create art that not only allows me to be seen but also lets others feel seen. That’s one of the things that drives my creativity.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Zoom out. I was always taught that details matter, and they do. Working in micro social work as a therapist means that I have to focus, pay attention to smaller details, and examine how individuals are impacted by the world around them. As an artist, that type of fixation on detail can prevent me from creating. My husband has to frequently remind me to ‘zoom out,’ when I become stuck or fixated on one aspect of a piece instead of realizing the entirety of what I am creating.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

Normalize paying artists. As creatives we are usually juggling being creative for ourselves, completing commissions for clients, promoting ourselves on platforms such as social media, taking care of our mental health, and, often, working second job. My husband and I are both creatives. He started a production company last year called Alternative Design. I am both a fiber artist and a full-time trauma therapist. We are constantly trying to find ways to grow and still remain creative and true to ourselves. I think sometimes art and the products of creativity can go under appreciated because people do not realize the time that it takes and what goes in to the final outcome. Understanding that, and supporting this idea that it is important to credit and pay artists for their time and their work, allows artists to continue providing the type of pieces we enjoy in the world around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.magpieembroidery.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/magpie.embroidery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Embroidery.Magpie
• Youtube: @thoughts_feelings_kait

Image Credits
Colton Batts, Alternative Design