“My grandmother hooked rugs, my mother stitched bargello, my aunts owned a knit shop, so it was natural for me to gravitate to fiber art in college. My first works after school were miniature textiles using knotless netting techniques. My piece titled “Wedding Bag” was selected for the Second International Miniature Textile Exhibit/British Crafts Centre (1976) and later sold to the Australian Craft Council. I was 23, it was my first show.
The next year I married and moved to rural Maine. I felt I had traveled back in time to a simple life. It was not recognizable to me then, but my life took a turn and my creative focus pivoted. I wanted to make every day (functional) art. Studying old quilts, woven rugs, hooked rugs, and needlework samplers, I realized how important domestic crafts were and enjoyed the artistry of the maker. I had studied many crafts in school but discovered a floorcloth in a magazine photo and decided to make one for my kitchen. A floorcloth is a flat, durable heavy canvas rug that is water resistant. Without directions I used all my fiber skills to construct and paint my first rug.
Someone encouraged me to try to put a few floorcloths in a local shop. With the money from that sale, I drove to Boston and bought more materials. I decided to make a dozen more and hang my work in the back of my husband’s pottery booth to test the market. He was showing in Maryland, and my mother was going to come from NC to see what I was making. As soon as the show started my floorcloths were selling, and I was afraid I would not have anything to show my mother! A woman came in my booth and said “I love everything you are doing. Here’s a $1000. Make anything you want and ship it to me. I am opening a store on Madison Avenue.” A few weeks later she called to tell me that Paul (Newman) and Joanne (Woodward) bought some of my work. That launched me into a world of movie stars and custom orders. I made rugs for Carrie Fisher, Henry Winkler, Michael Keaton, Christine Ferrari and many more. I also benefitted from a lot of magazine coverage in NY.
I began showing my work at other craft shows and was often asked where I found directions and was there a book? I had learned from my own mistakes and there were no floorcloth books, so I decided to write a book to teach the process. With a book in hand, I was invited on many home decorating television shows to demonstrate and talk about floorcloths.
Making a floorcloth requires many steps in construction, making it a challenge to produce in volume. The printing world was changing and with the new digital ink jet printing I began to pursue the idea of printing my designs. It was a challenge to find the right material for the floor and a printer.
To create a print, I paint an original piece the size of the finished floorcloth and have it scanned and digitally printed on lay flat vinyl. Printing has opened new audiences for me. With a lower price point it allows enthusiastic customers to buy on the spot.
The prints have also given me the opportunity to build a large internet business during a time when everyone shops on their phone! My customers continue to cheer me on. They love living with art on the floor as much as I do. I get lots of repeat business. They often say “It makes me smile every time I walk into the room. And it’s so easy to clean. Spills just wipe up. They last forever. I want them in every room!” I have sold floorcloths for over 45 years now, and many customers are still enjoying their original purchase.
Recently I started painting some of the places I have been. I think of them like postcards and I try to include my favorite memories. That is where my painting of Cedar Key came from.
I could not have planned this career or imagined it to last this long. I made a floorcloth for my kitchen and that little rug took me on a journey! My focus has always been to bring joy into a room with color and whimsy. I want to create something that is fun and unexpected. I start with a plan, but I allow the process of creativity to guide me.
Thank you for the opportunity to share my story.”
Kathy Cooper