Kaylie Kaitschuck (American, Detroit. b.1995-)Fiber Artist Through the use of machine embroidery, I illustrate colorful dreamscapes scribbled with yarn. These psychedelic embroideries emulate my dreams, anxieties, and humorous idealizations. Starting from a simple sketch I collage icons and symbols to blend together into a confusing yet relatable reality. These works are an outlet for my mind to try to stay at ease during the very confusing time we are all in. The act of scribbling with yarn becomes meditative and sends me back to my first days using crayons. I find comfort in the material I use. I think I gravitate towards fiber and yarn because it's cozy and inviting. My embroideries are like blankets on a wall. The texture reminds me of home.I prepare my surface by cutting the felt I use as a backing material. From there, I sketch out one drawing and throw it onto my machine. My practice is very intuitive and my drawing is fluid through my stream of consciousness. I enjoy not editing my drawings and end up embroidering the first things that come to mind as they feel the most authentic to me. My goal in making art is to remove the viewer from their outside world and worries for just a moment. I use art as an outlet of escapism, daydreaming, and symbolism. I hope the viewer can take a moment to breathe and feel something. Whatever that feeling is- happy, sad, confusion, or inspiration.I work standing up and with headphones on. It’s an active process of moving my body to “draw with yarn” . I can't concentrate on anything else other than the artwork at that moment. I grew up playing music and dancing. I have set those aside for visual arts now but I believe they play a big role in the stories I draw. If I’m not in the studio sewing, I’m probably out with friends, snowboarding, or skating. A few of my favorite artists are Laura Owens, Elizabeth Murray, and Frank Stella.Kaylie Kaitschuck received her MFA in Fiber and Textile Design from the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Bloomfield Hill, Michigan in 2021. She holds a BFA in Fiber and Textile Designs from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit.