Artist of the Month: Colleen McCloskey

When it comes to lifelong Mt. Hood Villages’ residents making an impact in the world of art, Colleen McCloskey is adding value to the scene one stitch at a time. A Mt. Hood Villages resident since before the age of two, McCloskey not only finds her artwork driven by passion and knowledge, but by generations of artists passing down those creative genes. Gifted in the fiber arts since childhood, McCloskey finds peace and profession in the crochet work she creates. “My mom initially taught me when I was in elementary school (along with hand sewing and embroidery),” McCloskey said. “I really want to specialize in lace work, Irish lace specifically.” 

McCloskey’s family ties to the artistic world have given her the motivation and drive needed to become a successful crochet artist. “My family is full of creatives, but my brother Devin was my first artistic role model,” McCloskey said. “He’s created amazing graphic illustrations,” she added. For McCloskey, taking time away and finding inspiration within friendships is what really set her crocheting abilities in motion. “In 2021 I was inspired by a friend to dive back in. I had been jonesing to create again and crochet made the most sense, since I was living in a fifth wheel,” McCloskey said. “So I got on YouTube and found a facilitator that I understood, and I’ve been hooking ever since.”

McCloskey formally studied fine arts for ten years. Through her time at Mt. Hood Community College, she was able to learn and study both sculpture and metal pouring through the “lost wax” process. Although she finds her artistic inspirations lie primarily within fiber arts and her crochet work, she has dabbled in other forms of art over the course of her creative life. “I’ve practiced fine arts, such as drawing, painting (acrylics), watercolor, pastels, and inking via multimedia,” McCloskey said. “I’ve also worked with tile mosaic, ceramics, hand building, sculpting, photography (35mm b&w), hand sewing, jewelry smithing, design, and macrame.” 

Having lived most of her life in The Mt. Hood Villages, McCloskey finds her environment to be her primary inspiration. From the ridge lines which surround her community, to the trees which blanket it, with the volcano overseeing it all, there is never a creative shortfall when it comes to beginning a project. Other motivators which have inspired her are works of fantasy and science fiction, as well as her “overall experience in being human.” 

For more information on McCloskey’s work please email her at trailercourttextiles@gmail.com or visit her Instagram at @trailer_court_textiles. McCloskey will also be featured at Coffee House 26’s spring art show [date to be determined, but will be announced on their social media sites, @CoffeeHouse26].