Kats (Kathleen) is a Métis abstract expressionistic painter, photographer, and beadwork artist.
By blending contemporary expressive painting and the discipline of traditional beadwork, I aim to bridge modern concepts and traditional practices.
Always a storyteller, I began exploring a unique capture of the world at an early age. Spurred on by the gift of a Kodak 126 Instamatic camera, I pushed the limits of tools and subjects at my disposal. I excelled in many visual arts pursuits and projects throughout high school in North Vancouver.
It was a natural transition to study media and communications at Capilano College. After graduating, I began a career that included technical, commercial, and artistic elements of the photographic arts, including portrait photography. I eventually returned to Capilano College to continue my growth as an artist and gained insights from resident teachers in textile and studio arts.
Growing up, I learned sewing skills from my Métis grandmother, May Belliveau. Gram was an expert seamstress and taught me to create patterns and make new items from used clothing. Today, I am privileged to learn traditional beadwork techniques and iconography from knowledge keepers, Lisa Shepherd, Lynette La Fontaine, and many other artists within the Métis community. I am grateful for their continued generosity and kinship.
Time in coastal rainforests is healing and elemental to my creative musings, and much of my work centres on themes of environmental interconnectedness and sustainability. After decades of capturing, collecting, and interpreting visual stories, I have arrived at an emotionally connected vision of my world.
I am a proud citizen of Métis Nation BC. Family names include Dextrase, Ricard, and Ducharme.
Kats Klein 