We recently connected with Kayla Powers and have shared our conversation below.
Kayla, appreciate you joining us today. Was there an experience or lesson you learned at a previous job that’s benefited your career afterwards?
I have always been interested in plants so for many years I worked on different farms or gardens or doing landscaping and in the process I learned so much about growing and about the natural world that has informed my art practice.
Kayla, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I am a place-based fiber artist living and working in Detroit, MI. I work with locally grow and foraged plants to dye yarn and fabric. For example, I grow marigolds in my garden and when I simmer the blooms in a big pot of water and soak my fabric in the pot, the yarn turns a golden yellow/orange color. The colors that come from plants represent place. And in this way my work is specific to this moment in time and place. I use the dyed yarn and fabric to weave, quilt, sculpt, and sew. Making art is my way of processing the world around me.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
Stay curious! Artists are good at looking closely and reflecting the world back to us. We can support artists by staying curious about their vision and the world as they experience it. Engaging in conversations and participating in a reciprocal relationship is a great way to support a thriving creative ecosystem.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
I find so much joy in the challenge of bringing an idea to life. Thinking through something and physically creating it is very satisfying. And, of course, beginning a project as an idea, sketching it out, gathering supplies, preparing materials, and then working through it to the finish is very rewarding.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kaylapowers.studio
- Instagram: @Kayla.powers
- Facebook: Kayla Powers
- Other: www.patreon.com/kaylapowers
Image Credits
Brian Kovach, George P Perez