Herbal Magazine Interview

This interview was absolutely wonderful. I was able to sit in Mom’s kitchen on a warm sunny day and have a blast talking to Kathy about pretty much everything. As a natural lefty I find that my handwriting and drawing is already well, unique let’s say. I usually find myself cursing my hand or asking others if they can read my southpaw. Listening to Kathy discuss her lefty work, however, has given me more respect for my own appendages and makes me appreciate the work that I am able to accomplish with my seemingly wrong hand. Kathy has a wonderful way of seeing the possibilities as a whole and can create beautiful work based on nature and myth that is somehow playful and powerful all at once.

How did you find confidence in your lefty artwork? Did you feel frustration when you started?

Kathy Crabbe began using her non-dominant hand almost twenty years ago when she felt artistically blocked. She had no idea it would have such a profound impact on her artwork but was thrilled to see the results. In the interview Kathy explained it helped her “slow down” and truly appreciate the creative process. She went on to explain that later on she learned that this is an art therapy technique called bi-lateral hand drawing that helps people slow down, calm themselves, and feel grounded.  Slowing down is a major challenge for this jump-on-in Aries Rising, but she found that by slowing down it, “helped balance everything out a little bit.”

Based upon Kathy’s experience using her left hand she was able to make an entire oracle deck based on her lefty characters that help people become more intuitive and work through issues. She says the most difficult part is actually printing with her left hand, but cannot deny the fact that this deck has helped others and herself.

How have you changed as an artist over the 16 years you’ve been drawing with your left hand?

Kathy’s intuition has improved while working with her left hand and it has helped develop the non-dominant side of her brain. Kathy was also amazed by how well her soul readings developed after using her left hand. Before 2007 she had not done readings professionally. When she began working with her left hand she was able to build confidence to work on readings all over the world. While she does enjoy working with people in person Kathy began offering soul readings on Etsy and actually prefers remote reading because there is no other outside influence other than “just about the questions” received from clients.

Do you every go back to your dominant hand (for personal work or other reasons)?

Kathy always uses her dominant hand when doing more practical stuff (bills, errands, etc.) and for writing her soul readings which flow quickly. At the moment Kathy is focusing on Project 52 for the Riverside Art Museum which will culminate in a mini exhibitof all 52 originals from her lefty oracle deck.

How do you feel creating the oracle art and writing has helped you progress in your artistic dreams and/or aspirations?

“It’s helped me be brave and get into all kinds of adventures.”

One example that displays Kathy’s bravery is when Kathy broughtlife-sized leftys to Hollywood for Women’s Day with activist and singer Michelle Shocked (her personal hero). Since then Kathy has started a writer’s group and zines with her lefty characters. With these characters Kathy has even made performance art and has created a community.

These lefty characters have “pushed me to try something new,” Kathy said.  She continues to work with her lefty art to make it more interactive and well, fun!

Does the landscape around you inspire you? If so, how?

Kathy keeps grounded and attuned with nature enhanced by her studies and training in Celtic Faerie Shamanism with mentor Francesca De Grandis. Kathy believes everything is grounded in nature and this has been a constant muse for every theme in her artwork as well as her intuitive work.

Kathy lives in sunny southern California secluded off a dirt road surrounded by the beauty of nature. She is still focusing on her oracle or lefty art and loves working with groups using her lefty deck. If you would like to contact Kathy for a soul reading or her artwork here is her link: http://www.kathycrabbe.com/

As Kathy says, Sparkly Blessings!