Kate originally trained as a graphic designer focusing on bookmaking and print at the University of the West of England and went on to work in various jobs, including becoming a portrait photographer and subsequently, a designer, creating branding for various businesses. But, at this point in her life, she never quite found her niche and instead, re-trained as a social worker, putting aside her creativity for personal pleasure only.
It was after she moved to the village of Gladestry on the Welsh borders with her husband Robin in 2014 and had her two girls, Poppy (5) and Rowan (3), that she found her place as an artist and established her business. Taking time out to look after her children, she started to make things for herself again. Kate started by creating things based upon what she loved most—nature and paper—and the sculptures have gradually evolved from there.
I live in a cottage, part way up the side of the valley on the Hergest Ridge, in the small village of Gladestry. I haven’t been here as long as I have lived in Bristol, but I feel like I belong here much more than I did living in the centre of a city. The main village of Gladestry lies at the bottom of the valley. We have 1.5 acres of land attached to our cottage and although it is quite steep, we are gradually turning it into a small holding where we can grow our own fruits and vegetables, coppice our own wood and keep some animals.
I start each day at my shop, Kasasagi, with a cup of tea and usually just stand in the middle of my workshop looking at all the bits and pieces I have collected, both natural objects and materials. I think it helps get my head in work mode and start thinking about what I want to make next or how I’m going to tackle the next commission. The name, Kasasagi, translated figuratively, refers to a person who obsessively collects things. I chose it because of my love of collecting, as well as, a little nod to my last name ‘Kato’, which is also Japanese.
I love the quiet pace of life in the countryside. You never feel like you have to rush anywhere here, and there’s not that constant hum of cars driving past your front door as you get living in a city. Living here helps me switch off in the evening and weekends, and if I find myself getting overwhelmed with my workload, I can step outside into the complete silence with a cup of tea and reset myself.
“Living in the country, I am constantly surrounded by inspiration for work.”
Visually, I love plants and insects’ shapes, colours and patterns, but I think what inspires and fascinates me the most is their background: where they live or grow, how they interact with the world around them and the parts they have to play in their eco-system. They become so much more interesting when you start to ask why they look how they look or behave in particular ways. My favourite designs are the books I create with plants and insects growing or crawling out of them.
“I feel that I’m creating an illusion that the information inside these books is coming to life and taking over the book—the way nature does when it comes up against something man-made.”
Creating work based on the things I love really helps to keep me motivated and interested, even when the job gets a bit repetitive or difficult. My family plays a massive part in supporting me, too. They love nature just as much as I do, so I am never short of inspiration or people to talk with when I need help. Being able to bring them into the process, particularly my children, is wonderful as I get to see things from all sorts of perspectives, not just my own. They help spark my curiosity and make me look at the world in a different way, which is what my work is all about.
I do, however, have to be quite disciplined with myself to juggle work and home life. I try not to blur the lines too much, although, during busy periods my rules go slightly out the window, and I will spend evenings or the odd weekend trying to get some extra hours in. My husband is self-employed as well, so we take half the week each to focus on work and the other half being stay-at-home parents, organising our home life and working on our smallholding. This works well for us as it means we can both continue the careers we enjoy, as well as, have time at home with the children.
I LOVE THIS P.S.
I couldn’t live without…a good cup of English Breakfast tea and my sketchbooks.
