Fodder School Muse-of-the-Month: Katheryn Thames
Every artist's creative journey is different, and that's one of the things that makes the Fodder School community so inspiring. Some members have created art for decades, while others discover mixed media later in life. What they all share is a love of learning, experimenting, and supporting one another.
This featured Fodder School member Katheryn Thames (@katherynthames on instagram) has explored many creative hobbies over the years—from rubber stamping and handmade bookbinding to watercolor, scrapbooking, and mixed media art. Today, creating art has become a daily practice that brings joy, stress relief, and a sense of flow.
Read on to learn more about her creative journey and what keeps her coming back to Fodder School year after year.
What part of the world do you currently live in?
I was raised in Bismarck, North Dakota, and now live in upstate New York. Along the way, I lived in many different parts of the United States while my former husband served as a Naval Officer.
When did your art or crafting journey begin?
Creativity was always part of my childhood. My mother was constantly making something—painting with oils, sewing for our home, or crocheting during the winter months. Ironically, I wasn't interested in joining her creative pursuits at the time.
Everything changed in 1983 when I discovered a few All Night Media rubber stamps in a small store in Medora, North Dakota. I began using them to decorate letters I wrote to my pen pal in England, and I was hooked.
A few years later, after moving to Washington State, I found stores devoted entirely to rubber stamping. That passion eventually led me to bookbinding after taking classes at Paper Source in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Even today, there's something magical about folding paper into signatures, sewing them together, and holding a handmade book in my own hands.
After moving to upstate New York in 2005, I taught myself watercolor through books and eventually rediscovered scrapbooking. I loved painting backgrounds before adding photographs. Later, I met mixed media artist Mimi Cooper through a local scrapbook group. Watching the artwork she shared on Facebook inspired me to explore mixed media further—and ultimately led me to join Fodder School.
How long have you been in Fodder School and what keeps you coming back each year?
This is my second year in Fodder School, and I honestly can't imagine my life without it.
Creating art helps me reach that wonderful state of creative flow. During some difficult seasons of life, Fodder School has given me a place to learn, create, and step away from stress for a while. That's something I never want to lose.
How has Fodder School influenced your creative journey or daily art practice?
I create something every single day—even when I'm not participating in the 100 Day Challenge.
Art has become more than a hobby. It's how I process my thoughts, express my emotions, and reconnect with myself.
What's one project, technique, or lesson from Fodder School that completely lit you up?
I joined just as last year's Fodder Challenge was ending.
Tracey Wozniak's mushroom lesson was simple, playful, and gave me confidence to create things that were just plain fun.
Then I experienced Jack Ravi's lesson, which completely amazed me. It showed me I could create artwork that felt truly beautiful and invited people to stop and look more closely. One of the biggest lessons I learned was to jump in with enthusiasm and not worry if something turns out less than perfect.
How would you describe the Fodder School community in three words?
Positive. Focused. Beautiful.
If you could give one piece of encouragement to a brand-new Fodder School student, what would it be?
During Angela Kennedy's lesson on drawing faces, I remember saying that I didn't think I could do it.
Someone simply replied, "You can absolutely do this."
Now I repeat those words to myself every time I sit down to create.
Because they're true.
We’re endlessly inspired by our Fodder School superfans and the heart they bring to this community. Stay tuned for more spotlights!