Groundwaters Publishing, LLC
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"Bubbling up in our own good time-- online."
| Bill Wright |
Biography:
Cathy Coulson-Keegan and Bill Wright create Shoji lanterns of their own design, such as the
one pictured on this issue’s cover, through Touch the Earth, the graphic art design studio
Cathy formed in 1972. Bill later joined the business in 1994. They also produce silk prayer
flags, mobiles and large hanging lanterns. All are intended to be used outdoors and to last for
many years. Items should be kept under overhanging cover, ideally; however, people often put
them in trees and leave them exposed for many years. They weather the sun and wet and
moss, very gracefully.
The Shoji lanterns are sturdy and fire-resistant, with designs screen-printed on fiberglass and
set on a resin base. Tealight candles fit into the base. Larger, hanging lanterns are made with
stainless steel braised frames and silk covers. Cathy creates the designs and does the screen
printing; Bill does all the wood and metal work, makes the bases and constructs the pieces.
Cathy has used silk as a medium for many years, since she learned of its hardiness. Silk has
no oxygen in the fiber; moths don’t eat it and it resists fire. Japanese and Chinese kimonos, as
old as 3,000 to 5,000 years, have endured the centuries under less than favorable conditions
and are a testament to the durability of silk.
Touch the Earth’s products remain reasonably priced, as well. Shoji lanterns are priced
between $18 and $45 and, along with the prayer flags, are the bulk of sales. Much of the
business is catalog orders via the internet. Smaller orders carry them through between large
ones. Lots of people place a small order initially then follow up nicely and steadily. Most sales
to individuals result from Touch the Earth’s annual appearance at the Country Fair in Veneta
and Eugene’s Holiday Market. Cathy and Bill literally recreate a bamboo garden around their
booth at Country Fair every year from the plants they grow at home. It gives to customers a
vision of how the items might be used and the sense of peace and serenity that the lanterns
and flags impart. They enhance the natural setting, the environment in which they are placed.
Photos by Paul Neeval are shown of their Country Fair booth on Touch the Earth’s web site at
www.earthsteps.com. Cathy and Bill are also pleased with their products’ representation on
another site, wholesalecrafts.com, which they recommend to artists and shoppers in general.
Items are also featured in DharmaCrafts’ printed catalog and in at least 200 galleries across
the nation.
Cathy Coulson-Keegan and Bill Wright have been involved in the Country Fair since the
1980s. Cathy serves currently on its Craft Committee. The two married in 1991; then moved to
Lorane for a couple of years, and later to Veneta. They work in a studio adjacent to their
home near the town’s core, within walking distance to parks and businesses. They are also
active in the community as members of Neighbors for Responsible Growth (N4RG).
Touch the Earth may be contacted at (541) 935-9596 or cathy@earthsteps.com.
Website address: none available
Index of Groundwaters contributions:
Volume 4 Issue 1 - Cover art
Cathy Coulson-Keegan and Bill Wright create Shoji lanterns of their own design, such as the
one pictured on this issue’s cover, through Touch the Earth, the graphic art design studio
Cathy formed in 1972. Bill later joined the business in 1994. They also produce silk prayer
flags, mobiles and large hanging lanterns. All are intended to be used outdoors and to last for
many years. Items should be kept under overhanging cover, ideally; however, people often put
them in trees and leave them exposed for many years. They weather the sun and wet and
moss, very gracefully.
The Shoji lanterns are sturdy and fire-resistant, with designs screen-printed on fiberglass and
set on a resin base. Tealight candles fit into the base. Larger, hanging lanterns are made with
stainless steel braised frames and silk covers. Cathy creates the designs and does the screen
printing; Bill does all the wood and metal work, makes the bases and constructs the pieces.
Cathy has used silk as a medium for many years, since she learned of its hardiness. Silk has
no oxygen in the fiber; moths don’t eat it and it resists fire. Japanese and Chinese kimonos, as
old as 3,000 to 5,000 years, have endured the centuries under less than favorable conditions
and are a testament to the durability of silk.
Touch the Earth’s products remain reasonably priced, as well. Shoji lanterns are priced
between $18 and $45 and, along with the prayer flags, are the bulk of sales. Much of the
business is catalog orders via the internet. Smaller orders carry them through between large
ones. Lots of people place a small order initially then follow up nicely and steadily. Most sales
to individuals result from Touch the Earth’s annual appearance at the Country Fair in Veneta
and Eugene’s Holiday Market. Cathy and Bill literally recreate a bamboo garden around their
booth at Country Fair every year from the plants they grow at home. It gives to customers a
vision of how the items might be used and the sense of peace and serenity that the lanterns
and flags impart. They enhance the natural setting, the environment in which they are placed.
Photos by Paul Neeval are shown of their Country Fair booth on Touch the Earth’s web site at
www.earthsteps.com. Cathy and Bill are also pleased with their products’ representation on
another site, wholesalecrafts.com, which they recommend to artists and shoppers in general.
Items are also featured in DharmaCrafts’ printed catalog and in at least 200 galleries across
the nation.
Cathy Coulson-Keegan and Bill Wright have been involved in the Country Fair since the
1980s. Cathy serves currently on its Craft Committee. The two married in 1991; then moved to
Lorane for a couple of years, and later to Veneta. They work in a studio adjacent to their
home near the town’s core, within walking distance to parks and businesses. They are also
active in the community as members of Neighbors for Responsible Growth (N4RG).
Touch the Earth may be contacted at (541) 935-9596 or cathy@earthsteps.com.
Website address: none available
Index of Groundwaters contributions:
Volume 4 Issue 1 - Cover art
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