Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristine Domingo
Hi Kristine, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Creativity has always been a constant in my life even as a child. I would find fun ways to mix and match my outfits in an attempt for some originality and uniqueness. I would constantly change my bedroom with things that inspired me. Each day I would watch my great grandmother crochet table covers for our house or create her own clothes on the sewing machine. In awe, I’d sit on the floor watching her go through each step from cutting a pattern to completing a whole ensemble. Then one day she asked me if I wanted to learn how to sew. The excitement was instantaneous, and I can still feel that initial magic today . She exposed me to various modalities of creation, we started with sewing, but we didn’t stop there. I learned crochet and a bit of macrame. We spent days working on embroidery. I remember feeling so proud of myself that I was able to create these lovely things with my own hands, just like her.
Then in more recent years, she was no longer with us and I felt her absence weigh on me each day. And during a global pandemic when the world seemed to fall at the seams, like many of us at the time, I was in search of some sort of connection. My interest and skill in macrame or knotting had developed and I wanted to get back to creating with my hands. So I would spend my days slinging rope and cotton cord to create fiber art wall hangings. The exploration of pattern making and design was so much fun and brought me back to that place when I was 10 years old, back with her. Thus began, Caridad, with love which pays tribute to the legacy of my great grandmother.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
My expectations for myself have always been pretty realistic, so I try not to have too many projects going on at one time. With thoughtfulness and sweet sentiment I construct each piece by hand using slow practice and a deep understanding of sustainability and its impact on future generations. The path to putting your art out into the world can pose some challenges like finding your audience, creating pieces that are more unique than referential, and of course finding the time throughout your day to focus and create. But since it’s such a labor of love, you always find your way back where you belong.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a Fiber Artist that explores the world of textile design and soft sculpture. I combine traditional knotting techniques and weaving to create fiber-based wall art. My inspirations are shaped from my experiences as a second-generation Filipino American. And I enjoy the art of storytelling through each new piece offering true representation of my identity. I believe in family and community and the importance of traditions that are passed down from our ancestors so that we don’t lose these special lessons and stories.
All materials used to create my work are from recycled or zero-waste cotton fibers along with items found in nature. Sustainability and understanding the weight of over consumption is very important in the work I do which is why I’m very mindful not to over buy materials. That is something I am proud of.
I’m also proud of the work I do as a Neurodiversity Advocate and Ally in supporting the Neurodivergent population and Disabled Community. My goal is to ensure equity within all spaces so that we can empower one another and exist as our authentic selves. It’s truly important for me to surround myself in all things that align with who I am whether that be in art, advocacy, and mentorship. I’m also a Creative Arts Mentor for a nonprofit called Revision based in San Diego. The focus and mission of Revision is to provide inclusive access to art, culture, social practice and environmental education through the framework of a creative workspace. It’s such a wonderfully supportive community of artists.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As a creative, it’s nice to see the emergence of other new artists and makers over time. It tells me that more and more people are open and willing to put their heart, their work out into the world which can be a very vulnerable thing. I see the art world continuing to expand with more autonomy and independence. Artists are taking charge of their livelihood even if there is struggle and hardship along the way. Artists are taking ownership of their worth and their work. Some big shifts within the world of creation are the accessibility to more diverse artists through local shows, local calls, vendorship with storefronts, independent pop-up opportunities, and residencies. We need representation to always be a growing and moving force within the art world.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sites.google.com/view/caridadwithlove/home?authuser=0
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caridad_withlove/
