Kathy Canfield Shepard has been an artist for most of her life, working in a variety of mediums, most recently, paper quilling, which she first discovered when she was seven years old. Over the next few years, she created simple designs and ornaments for family and friends. In recent years, she’s rediscovered the art form and has stretched the boundaries of traditional techniques to create intricate three-dimensional works of art. Also trained in surface pattern design, she uses her own designed papers in her work, and also incorporates her skills as a graphic designer and watercolor artist.

As a fine artist, Kathy has studied drawing and watercolor painting at Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design in New York City. She also holds a certificate in textile and surface pattern design from the California School of Professional Fabric Design in Berkeley. She also owns Canfield Design Studios (canfielddesignstudios.com), a web and graphic design firm specializing in arts, nonprofit and small business clients. She holds a certificate in interactive multimedia design from Pratt Institute.

Kathy has enjoyed a successful career as a French horn player since 1985. She has played with the Metropolitan Opera and Detroit Symphony among others, and with such artists as Lenny Kravitz, Leonard Bernstein, Frank Sinatra, and Joni Mitchell. She has credits in over a dozen Broadway shows, including eight years in the orchestra for Les Misérables. She can also be heard on recordings, film scores, radio, and TV. Kathy holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Michigan and a Master’s degree from The Juilliard School.

What is Quilling?

Quilling, or paper filigree, involves the use of strips of paper that are rolled, looped, curled, twisted, shaped, and glued together to create decorative designs. It got its name because the papers were originally wrapped around the quills of feathers. During the Renaissance, French and Italian nuns and monks used the art form to decorate book covers and religious items. In the 18th century, quilling became popular in Europe and spread to the Americas where there are a few examples from Colonial times. Today, quilling is seeing a resurgence in popularity. The art form is always expanding due to innovation and a rapidly growing number of talented artists.