Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyla Crawford.
Kyla, we’d love to hear your story and how you got to where you are today both personally and as an artist.
I am an artist who grew up in metro Detroit, MI where I earned my BFA in painting and fibers from Wayne State University. In 2004, I took my first weaving class where I became completely and utterly addicted to all thing textiles, like many of the women in my family. I quickly consumed workshops and classes on all things textile related. While spreading my love of arts and textiles to my students and through my art.
After meeting my husband, I then moved to Houston, TX and continued my education at the University of Houston, while running a small craft business called Kyla’s Lab: Textile Arts & Accessories. Where, I sell hand-dyed yarns and hand woven accessories, to inspire creativity in my costumers.
After completing my MFA in sculpture, I continue to spread my joy of art and materials at the University of Houston where I am an adjunct professor. I spend my time creating art with materials that I personally connect to creating pieces that cross the lines of fine art, craft, and installation. My work has been featured at the Zoya Tommy Gallery, Blaffer Art Museum, and the Houston Contemporary Craft Center.
We’d love to hear more about your art. What do you do and why and what do you hope others will take away from your work?
My ritualistic need to create objects and explore materials. My hands spawn the conglomeration of paint, paper, nostalgic craft supplies, and cosmetics to form a persona. This personality is one that is unfamiliar to me. I use fantasy in an attempt to better understand others. A fantastical creature pleads with viewer to get closer to it to examine its beauty as well as its repulsion. These creatures reflect human personas by honoring facets personality and aggressively displaying absurdity to provoke empathy. Alluring color, textures, and rich materials work together to showcase each persona while drawing on the viewer’s curiosity to engage with the work. Materials and craft are a familiar gateways for the viewer to enter my unfamiliar pieces. Nostalgic craft mimics humans need to create individuality and comfort.
What do you think it takes to be successful as an artist?
My success is defined by my personal enjoyment of my work. I love working on my pieces, divining into their world and losing all sense of time and self. Believing in my work allows me to keep moving forward to find ways to show my work to others.
To be successful as an artist takes sear determination and dedication. Talent is a myth, hard work, networking, and applying yourself is how you get ahead in the art world. Don’t be afraid to make your own opportunities.
Do you have any events or exhibitions coming up? Where would one go to see more of your work? How can people support you and your artwork?
For my artwork, you can see my work on my online at www.kylacrawford.com and on Instagram at kylacrawford_art. To see my work in person you can contact me for a studio visit.
For my hand dyed yarns and handmade accessories you can see my work online at www.kylaslab.com and on Instagram at kylaslab. To see my yarns in person you can visit me at the Yellow Rose Fiber Fiesta in Sequine TX in May or the Houston Fiber Festival at the Berry Center in June, or if you are in San Antonio, you can visit Yarnivore. You can also contact me to visit my studio.
I love to spread my love of art through teaching and welcome personal art or fiber art lessons. If you are interested in personal lessons, you can contact me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kylacrawford.com
- Phone: 5862016693
- Email: kylacrawford88@comcast.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kylacrawford_art
- Other: www.kylaslab.com
Image Credit:
Kris Castille, Kyla Crawford
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