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Turns out, quite a lot. I'm a painter so how did I get into making art jackets? Backtrack a few years ~ One afternoon... I was given these 4 words to absorb : You Have Breast Cancer. This news came straight off of my children's book launch, just as I'd been enjoying TRUE artistic freedom via shows, painting meaningful work + contributing to a slew of supremely worthy causes. At that moment the world stood still for me.

Emotionally too vacant to paint large-scale paintings, I spent most days with my fatalistic imagination. It became very clear I needed a distraction. I was slowly losing HOPE.

The word HOPE means different things for different people. For me HOPE meant simply a "tomorrow". What could I do that required low physical effort to help me emotionally survive waiting for results + going through treatment? Sewing! I'd always found that satisfying + relaxing. I started by blinging-out an old jacket then another for a friend. When we wore them people would ask "where can I buy one?" That was like rocket fuel! I sketched like mad ~ ideas, graphics, messaging, all morphing into the concept of ~ jacket as: canvas/billboard/art form.

I found my HOPE.

Thinking of an identity that conveys what these jackets mean to me was pretty easy. They are the physical embodiment of my HOPE and sharing them with the public is akin to wearing my Heart On My Sleeve  ~ aka H.O.M.S.

A small heart 🖤 on the sleeve + a good dose of SELF-LOVE via a ribbon sewn inside that reads "You Are Beautiful" are included on each piece. They're Perfectly Imperfect! Frayed edge here, stitched hole there, patchwork lining ~ each one imperfect + unique, celebrating the human connection inherent in a handmade object.

So YAY for today! I am well and full of HOPE!!! Like a good friend, may a H.O.M.S. jacket bring you joy + comfort as you wander this world  expressing your beautiful, authentic self . 

🖤 KAS + the H.O.M.S. team