PDX Profile: Kristina Perry, of Liv & Lotus

I first saw Kristina's work at the Trillium Artisans store, and loved its warmth (literally and figuratively). How cool, then to discover that she uses natural fiber and recycled clothing. Those chickens always make me smile, too.

You can see lots more at the Liv & Lotus websitee, and at the Etsy shop. Hope you enjoy Kirstina's interview, too!

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Tell us how you first became smitten with fiber.
My love for fiber intensified when I took a weaving class at the University of New Mexico. Village Wools in Albuquerque is an amazing shop that not only had weaving supplies but knitting yarns, bags spilling over with hand-dyed roving, and tons books with a comfy seat to spend hours investigating fiber fun. The owners were amazingly knowledgeable and generous with their info. I was addicted! I eventually worked and taught classes there for a few years before I moved here to Portland.

You talk about "letting your materials define your work." Will you elaborate on how this translates into your designs?
What that really means is I am working WITH my materials. I am allowing the quality of these unique fabrics speak to me and hopefully am creating exciting work because of that. This is one of the many benefits of working with reclaimed materials. Each piece of fabric is different in texture, drape, color and size, so each one lends itself to a certain form that I create.

I identify with the sculptor who sees what the piece of marble wants to be sculpted into. Well, I feel that way about an old sweater. For me, it is really about being inspired by the materials and the process to create something that is truly transformed from what I started with. This is what keeps me interested and excited in the studio.

What kinds of things inspire you?
Wow! I find inspiration everywhere. I worked as a ceramic sculptor for many years, so the tactile and sculptural experience of knit, felted and woven fibers appeal to me. So there is that palate of my reclaimed materials texturally, then there is the palate of color in that material, then the color/ material of the fibers I choose to embellish with. Finding great material in a thrift store, yarn or fabric store is euphoric. I really do love to play with materials, new and old. I get more ideas than I could do in a lifetime.

Really, everything and anything can be a source of inspiration for me when I am looking at the world with an open mind. When I am looking at say a flower in my garden, it can be more than just a flower when I am really experiencing the wholeness of it. It can be about color, shape, texture, mood, environment, and gesture. When I look at everything in this way, inspiration is everywhere.

I love your Lumpies! Where did the inspiration for these come from?
All I had to do was look in my own backyard! We are some of those Urban Chicken people and take care of some sweet hens. So naturally, I made the first Lumpy for my daughter as a Valentine’s Day present and made them both matching heart necklaces. That led to the Cozy Chick Tea Cozy, Hen Hat, and the Mini Lumpy.

The Lumpies are filled with remnants from my work so they are very solid and kind of lumpy. That is where the name came from, embracing their ‘Lumpiness’! They are a riot when I get a flock made in the studio and they are all gathered around me. I can see their unique personalities and just have to name each one.

What is your take on the difference between "Art" and "Craft?"
Well, there is art in craft and craft in art. I am always inspired by an artist/crafter that can make a piece communicate more than what it is, in any medium. I love the personal connection you can have with a favorite handmade mug that you use each morning. A painting that is thought provoking has it’s own function visually, conceptually, historically and emotionally. I think the distinction between what is art and what is craft is less applicable today. In the past, craft implied skill, as well as, mass production. Today ingenuity and intent are redefining the role of craft in the realm of art. Maybe it is that spark of life or individuality can make a piece sing whether it is defined as art or craft and it is a glorious thing when someone else connects to your song.

What are some of your favorite creative spots in Portland?
We are lucky to have so many great yarn shops in Portland like CloseKnit, though Yarnia is my new favorite find. You can go and create a custom yarn blend. I couldn’t help but choose five different yarns to make my blend. The Museum of Contemporary Craft is fantastic, many wonderful things in the gallery and in the gift shop. I love to browse Last Thursday on Alberta Street and find something new and exciting or you can duck into the many super crafty shops along the way.