Kat Howard earned a BA in Creative Writing and Art History from Brandeis University in 2006, and worked at the Whitney Museum of American Art until 2010. She then left the museum world to pursue MFAs in Poetry and Studio Art which she received from Mills College in 2013. Since graduating Kat has been working as an independent artist, teaching and exhibiting her art. She has been featured on DesignSponge, Houzz, Williams Sonoma, and Architectural Digest. Kat makes fiber art that addresses the history of the persecution of the female body, through which she interrogates her own identity as a survivor of physical and sexual violence. Kat lives and works in Kingston, NY.

In this episode we talk about:

Kat's journey through different art forms to finding book and fiber arts

How Kat explores the experiences of women and the themes of myth and history in her work through a neutral color palette and texture

Kat's process and preparation that she engages in whenever she creates a new piece

Breaking the rules, trusting your gut, and learning to take risks

Trying things out even if it's weird and trusting that you have something to say

How to find your medium and what to do when you find yourself in "medium envy"

Overcoming perfectionism and how Kat immerses herself in research and writing practices before she creates a piece

For links to Kat's work and resources mentioned in the episode check out www.freeherspirit.com