Katy Drury Anderson

ARTISTIST STATMENT

My passion to preserve our environment and promote social justice frequently inspires my creativity. My pieces often begin with a visceral response to an act of injustice or the destruction of our natural world and explode into artistic social commentary. However, a butterfly in flight or a spectacular sunset can also spark my desire to interpret and share my perspective through art.

I have explored a variety of media including Japanese paper-making, shibori dying, photo-transferring on fabric, repurposing materials, and knotless netting. But in 2009, I become passionate about felting wool. Similar to paper making, felting transforms natural fibers through the use of water and fibrous interaction. My exploration of wet and dry techniques, laminating gauzy silks to the wool fibers, inlaying embellishments, and blending colored fleece, enables me to create painterly fabrics, wall art, and exciting three-dimensional forms.

As an Obstetrical nurse for four decades, I was entrusted with assisting women in the most awe-inspiring form of creation. Similar to the process of creating life, felting requires strength, calculation, patience, and a sensitive connection to the subtle transformation of the material. My passionate attraction to the tactile, rhythmic, spiritual, water-dependent nature of my professions as a nurse and an artist does not escape me. There are no coincidences-only kismet.

Life is so precious. Through my art, I hope to convey my deep appreciation for our “life force” and I invite the viewer to share in the wonder I experience as an artist and protector of life in all forms.