To her patrons and followers, Kay Collier is best known by her artist name, Kathryn Hastings. She is a wax seal artist, antique collector, writer, and a thought leader in the art of letter writing.
Kay Collier
As she intentionally builds her life as an artist, she also balances full-time work for a university and raising two young kids. Happily embracing this renaissance lifestyle with many passions and talents, Kay tries to compartmentalize the different aspects of her life but finds that her various endeavors and experiences inevitably influence one another for the better.
“It’s a common misconception that our careers need to be in one direction or another – that there is the right way to success,” says Kay. “It might be true for some career paths, but for artists, it’s much more about feeling the way as we go. We figure out how we want to use our creativity in service of the world. Having career stability in one area of my life offers the freedom to experiment and play in another. I can put my mission of sharing the beauty and history of letter writing above all else.”
Indeed, Kay’s work under her artist name, Kathryn Hastings, is designed to connect people through beautiful letters. For instance, her antique and modern wax seals add a touch of history and elegance to correspondence, making letters a delight to send and receive.
“For me, beautiful stationery is like beautiful clothing,” says Kay. “You shouldn’t have it just for one day in your life. Some people only wear true fashion on their wedding day. People reserve beautiful stationery and invitations similarly, but it shouldn’t be that way. The luxurious experience of beauty is meant to be part of everyday life. The things you wear and the things you share are indicative of how you experience the world. Wax seals and beautiful letters are extra special because they allow us to experience beauty while honoring our impermanence in the physical world. We create something beautiful and then send it to the world to share with others.”
Kay learned to write letters from her grandmother, a lifelong writer. That passion was ignited during a European tour Kay took with her sister when she was 19. This trip allowed her to visit the oldest paperie in Europe, where she attained her first wax seal.
From there, she started collecting modern seals for a while. But since Kay has always loved collecting antiques, she began to wonder if there was such a thing as an antique wax seal. That’s how she stumbled upon her first piece, a pretty historical seal, without knowing it.
“I was hooked and began collecting more seals. After many years, I developed a large private collection, which I wanted to share with others. That’s how I ended up creating Kathryn Hastings,” she says. “I want to teach people about the history and beauty of letter writing and be the go-to person for questions about wax seal art, how to make wax seals, how to collect antique wax seals, and even how to write the best letters. I want the world to embrace this special tradition and make it theirs. My wax seal designs and courses allow me to step into my full creative power as an artist, designer, and muse while helping others do the same through letter writing.”
Kay has big goals for the future. But as a momtrepreneur who has fully embraced the concept of slow living, she doesn’t pressure herself with a strict deadline on when to achieve her goals or make her artistic business a full-time endeavor.
“As a wife and mom, I always put my family first, and I don't make any decision too quickly,” she says. “I already feel like I fully live the life of an artist, even though it’s just one facet of how I spend my time.”
Kay is trying to establish a long tail of success, ensuring that her art will remain relevant and accessible for years to come.
“I like the integrity of the art,” says Kay. “And I want to be an artist all my life. I want to build my business sustainably so that I can work half the day when I want to. Or if one day I decide to follow an unrelated creative whim, I will still have the freedom to do so while still being present at all my kids’ soccer practices. That’s very much the dream.”
Tagged in Parenting