Kate Saunders

Kate Saunders discovered her passion for glass at the age of ten, inspired by the sight of a melted Coke bottle at a carnival. Although she earned her BFA in ceramics, she transitioned to kiln-formed glass over thirty years ago and has been exploring its creative possibilities ever since. Her early work was heavily influenced by nature, incorporating botanical forms using pressed leaves and flowers.

In recent years, Kate has evolved her practice by incorporating her own photography into a process known as “photo resist.” This unique technique involves enlarging and distorting organic shapes to create compelling visual relationships that spark the viewer’s curiosity. Through her work, she invites others to experience and reconnect with the natural world in new and imaginative ways.

Kate’s process is intricate and layered, involving photosensitive paper, sandblasting, enamels, and multiple kiln firings. She often collaborates with her husband, Ger Killeen, a digital and Augmented Reality artist, adding further dimension to her work through the fusion of traditional and modern techniques.

Though Kate has stepped back from the art and craft fair circuit, her work remains well-known in the Pacific Northwest. Local audiences may remember her from Nestucca Valley Artisans shows, and her pieces have been featured in esteemed galleries such as Bullseye Glass, The Chessman Gallery, and The Guardino Gallery. She was also a founding member of The Casbah, a vibrant artists’ collective that exhibited widely throughout the region.