Kathleen Stuart is an award-winning quilter, specializing in whole-cloth quilts and free form art quilting, who divides her time between teaching, lecturing, and working on quilts she enters in shows. Her work has been shown in the United States, Canada, and Jordan and has been featured in magazines and in videos, with several pieces in private collections including at the Art Institute of Chicago. Originally from Regina, Saskatchewan where she explored several different forms of art, however, she always went back to fiber.

A few years ago, she discovered encaustic painting and fell in love with that art form. Learning to work with this medium, she has taken several classes from many teachers and has found that her photography integrates nicely into her work. Although she is newer to this medium, she has given lectures on the subject and has taught classes to beginners.

Splitting her time between North Carolina and Georgetown, SC, she and her husband enjoy travel and golf, both of which provide endless inspiration and opportunity to expand her love of art.

Artist Statement

At the ripe old age of 70, I discovered that I am an artist! Not one trying to impart the wisdom of my years, but rather one who loves to create art. I also found that I have too many ideas and want to try it all. With that said, I have put a restriction on my work… fiber and encaustic… and I’ve found limiting my focus has helped me improve in both areas. Fiber is very tactile, and, in that arena, I try to create the natural world. Molding and shaping fibers into trees, flowers, and rocks, trying to show the world outside my studio and encouraging the viewer to come closer and touch because it looks so real. The other side is hard. Encaustic wax melts, but then hardens capturing a flower, inks, or even a bug. Getting the wax to hold the idea I’ve created while working with a blow torch is so exciting to me. One little slip and one must start over… sometimes that is a good thing! My next step is to combine both mediums, but that won’t be for a while.