IN CONVERSATION WITH KIM THITTICHAI

Kim Thittichai is a textile artist, tutor and author based in Brighton, East Sussex UK. Her specialty is creating 3 dimensional textile forms and surface decoration. Known for breaking boundaries and helping students to think out of the box, Kim lectures, delivers workshops and exhibits her work whenever and wherever possible. Her first book Hot Textiles is a fabulous guide full of inspiration and techniques for anyone wishing to experiment, burn, layer, melt or distort a wide range of exciting materials with heat tools. It has become one of our favorite resources and we were so pleased that Kim was able to grant us this interview.

KIM THITTICHAI

RUNNING WITH SCISSORS STUDIO: Morning person or night owl?
KIM THITTICHAI: Morning.

RWSS: Dogs, cats or.............
KIM: Dogs - DEFINITELY!

RWSS: Favorite place you've been or lived?
KIM: My current house, after 10 years I finally have it how I would like and enjoy opening for the Brighton Open Houses in May and December. It makes me clean my house at least twice a year!

CAPSTONES

7FT WIDE

RWSS: Who's on your i-pod?
KIM: Doobie Brothers, Seal, Outkast, Carly Simon, Anastasia, Gabriella Cilmi.

RWSS: Mac or PC?
KIM: PC

RWSS: What book have you read recently?
KIM: I hate to say it - my next book Experimental Textiles - it's at the final proof stage. I THINK it's good!!!!

EXPERIMENTAL TEXTILES

RWSS: Have you ever held a traditional 9-5 job?
KIM: No - have managed to escape - so far.......

RWSS: If you had to choose another career what would it be?
KIM: A gardener or a chef.

RWSS: Favorite quote?
KIM: Be sure your sins will find you out!

COLOURED COLUMNS

VESSELS RANGING FROM 4-7 FT TALL

RWSS: What inspires you?
KIM: Triumph over adversity.

RWSS: Are there any of your own pieces that you can't bear to part with?
KIM: My ceramic vessels that I made for my degree show many moons ago.

RWSS: Favorite medium to work with?
KIM: At the moment - CS800, similar to Lutradur 130. It gives amazing effect when zapped with a heat gun or can be soldered for a smooth edge.

EARTH JEWELS
5 FT TALL

RWSS: Any indispensable tools or equipment?
KIM: My heat gun.

EARTH JEWELS DETAIL

RWSS: Best advice you've ever received?
KIM: Slow down, don't try to do it all at once.

RWSS: Worst advice you've ever received?
KIM: "God only sends you what you can cope with". It's very irritating and patronizing and not what you want to hear when you are at a low ebb.

RWSS: What do you do to unwind?
KIM: Walk, play in my studio and work in the garden.

TORN

24" x 12"

RWSS: Best part of your day?
KIM: Waking up.....

RWSS: I'd be lost without......
KIM: My sister.

RWSS: What's on the horizon for 2010?
KIM: I'm hoping to do a PHD.

RWSS: Do you do anything special for your birthday?
KIM: CELEBRATE!!!!!

ICE AND PARTY GIRL

5 FT TALL

RWSS: Best dessert?
KIM: A good chocolate mousse or New York cheesecake or homemade ice cream or lemon tart or..........

RWSS: What would you like to be remembered for?
KIM: Being a good tutor and making a difference to one or two lives.

KIM TEACHING AT A WORKSHOP

RWSS: What would you do with a few extra hours each day?
KIM: My own work.

RWSS: Any words of wisdom?
KIM: I know it's a cliche` but ......... this is not a rehearsal !!!!!


We are delighted to carry Kim's first book Hot Textiles in our online shop and look forward to the release of her second book Experimental Textiles in August 2009.

HOT TEXTILES