Artist Statement
I create art to honor the seen and unseen — weaving color, story, and symbolism into visual worlds where nature, spirit, and imagination meet. Inspired by ancient Indigenous teachings, the vastness of space, and the tiniest details of Earth, my work explores the sacred interconnectedness of all things. I aim to blur boundaries — between science and magic, emotion and matter — inviting viewers into playful, enchanted spaces that celebrate beauty, responsibility, and wonder.
Artist Bio
Growing up in a small seaside town in Maine, Kate Cleaves spent her days painting, imagining, and dreaming of life in a magical artist community. After earning her BFA in painting from the Maine College of Art, she followed that dream to California. Eight formative years in San Francisco shaped her path, but it was in 2018 — when she walked into the Sawdust Art Festival in Laguna Beach — that she knew she had found home.
Since then, Kate has become a full-time artist rooted in Laguna’s vibrant scene. A member of the Sawdust community, her work spans painting, fairy-making, murals, and children’s book illustration — all brought to life in her 1930s beach cottage studio.
Endlessly inspired by the beauty of the world, from cosmic expanses to microscopic wonders, Kate draws on a childlike sense of wonder to inform her joyful, colorful creations. Her art invites viewers into imaginative worlds full of magic, playfulness, and meaning.