Trashcan Mural Project: Kylee Hamblin, Whimsical Earthworks
Artist Profile:
After growing up in Cowlitz County and moving around for school and work, my husband and I returned to Kalama about five years ago to raise our two children in this amazing little town. We love our community and the incredible people who make it so special. We spend as much time as possible outdoors, exploring the beautiful places around us and collecting mushrooms, rocks, moss, and anything else that might inspire a new craft. I homeschool our two children, ages 8 and 10, and they are my world. My husband and I will also be celebrating 20 years together later this year. We love creating, exploring, and—most of all—laughing together. Through this art piece, I wanted to capture a few of my favorite places and memories along the Kalama River—places that I hope will spark memories for others in our community, just as they have for me. Some of those memories include catching my first salmon at eight years old, stopping the drift boat to take in the beauty of the falls, meeting friends at the red barn to start a fun summer day, and swinging into the river under Modrow Bridge. I also own a small business called Whimsical Earthworks, where I primarily create clay art while dabbling in all kinds of crafting and creative endeavors. I have always been fascinated by sculpting elements of nature and bringing to life the magical, whimsical things you might find in the pages of a fantasy book. And now, we are incredibly excited to announce that a longtime dream is finally becoming a reality: later this month, Whimsical Earthworks will open its first storefront on 1st Street in Kalama! The storefront will be a space for creativity, community, and celebration—a place where families and friends can drop in to create together or schedule a private party, special class, or creative experience. We hope to create a welcoming space where people of all ages can gather, make something with their hands, and make memories together. We are so excited to begin this next chapter and to share it with the community we love.
If you’d like to follow along on our Kalama storefront adventure, follow Whimsical Earthworks on Facebook or Instagram
