Say Gah! to Caroline Kaufman, a New York City-based textile artist, and the creative behind our latest artist collaboration. Caroline’s work investigates the interaction between color, texture and pattern in new ways that reimagine techniques based in fiber and craft. Her textiles are composed by painting with fiber, weaving and tufting layers of yarn through fabric, and allowing her imagination, along with color and material, to dictate the design.

We’ve been long inspired by Caroline’s work and methods, so when we were thinking about our next artistic collab, we immediately thought of her. Together with Caroline, we created two items, a calendar to keep you inspired into the new year, and a throw blanket, to remind yourself to always surround yourself with art, and to let your imagination run. We’re also carrying the artist’s handmade switchplates, another way to add handmade craft to your every day. Read on to meet Caroline.

LSG: Has art always been a part of your life, or is it something you've onlyrecently grown into?

CK: It’s always always been a part of my life. I have a memory from when I was little laying out my colored pencils in meticulous rainbow order and treating my supplies with great care. I think art has always been my first home.

LSG: How did you find yourself as a textile artist and painter? When did you consciously decide to pursue art as your career?

CK: There have been many small instinctual decisions to pursue art over the years that eventually led me to a formal, conscious decision to start my own studio. The way I've built my studio with painting, fashion, and textiles has always been one step at time…making things that feel right and exciting in the moment.

Dana is the true definition of a multi-hyphenate, constantly creating, no matter the medium. Dana is proudly of middle eastern descent, and is always looking to use her photography/film work to breakdown stereotypes, and depict a positive representation of middle-eastern/Muslim communities. Boulos Is also a fierce advocate for women's rights—she currently supports Free The Work, a non-profit initiative advocating on behalf of female directors for equal job opportunities.

“I am most inspired by different artists approach to their work rather than the visual representation itself."

LSG: What led you to start working with the materials and mediums you do?

CK: I have always loved the complexity and textural component of fiber, so that is a medium I return to even when it takes different forms from fashion and clothing, to home objects, to fine art.

LSG: Is there a particular artist or creative work that has had a deep influence on you and your work?

CK: I am most inspired by different artists approach to their work rather than the visual representation itself. That being said, I love Memphis design. Joan Mitchell makes layered abstract paintings that really speak to me — I love how free and full of expression they feel. The art my friends make can’t be topped, my friend Kristen Texeira painted a playlist of songs recently and her colors hit my heart in such a deep way.

LSG: Lastly, when do you feel most inspired?

CK: I feel most inspired when I am surrounded by sunlight in a new environment. When I’ve done artist residencies I’ve felt on fire with inspiration because I’m living in a place dedicated to making work. When I have natural light pouring into a studio the ideas just flow out of me.

LSG: Tell us a little bit about how the collaboration with Lisa Says Gah! came about!

CK: I think we were mutual fans of each other! I can’t remember — I think you guys sent me an e-mail and I was so excited. It was an easy hell yes to work together.

Caroline Kaufman

1.29.21
Text: Madeline Sensible
Photos: Dana Boulos
@danaboulos