The Platinum Jubilee of Queen Katherine

“Katherine, you are an inspiration and a breath of fresh air. You are smart, creative and fun in so many dimensions. You are tough as nails and a delicate fucking flower at the same time. I have fond memories of the London trip — including when you rescued me after I fell flat on my face and needed stitches! Keep on being you, please.”

— Peggy Pugh

“Hey Katherine — Happy 70! I hope your day rocks!! I love our monumental adventures together and hope we have many, many more! Please stay the beautiful, down-to-earth person that you are, and never take anything for granite!”

— Marjorie Ornston

“Katherine has spent the last seven years consistently expanding my horizons and stimulating my mind in ways I never expected. Together, we've crossed borders — from the beauty of Alaska to the streets of London, Mexico, and Belgium — but the most significant journey has been the internal one. Through her, I've discovered transformative art, a circle of incredible people, and a creative fire I never knew I possessed. She is more than a friend; she is a mentor who leads with boldness, creativity, and a delightful sense of whimsy. Most of all, I admire her bravery. Katherine, thank you for changing my world. I love you!”

— Catherine Downey

“Life is stressful and filled with anxiety. Taxes, traffic, what to have for dinner, what mess has the dog gotten into, Wordle, losing stuff, the state of the world, passwords, stains, awful kids, body aches… too many to mention, but it's all bearable, dare I say fun even, with Katherine. "Queen LaDeeDa" is not quite right to me as that implies pretentiousness or dismissiveness. There's definitely caring and processing and making things right whether it is ripping out substandard andamento, finding the perfect substrate, shaping bread, pulling together the perfect trip, or standing by clear values with no pretention. Our Queen of the Miraculous Journeys? Our Lady of Adventure? Queen of Creative Conundrums? Here's to many more experiences!”

— Patty Hsiu

“At one of All the Arts' auctions (many years ago!) I found myself inadvertently winning a vacation to Puerto Vallarta. And who better to go on an adventure with than Katherine?!? During our short trip we explored the Botanical Gardens, ziplined over a river filled with bathing-suited people trying to stay cool, kayaked in the salty ocean, discovered a 6-foot boa constrictor slithering up the stairs in the building where we were staying, and ended up visiting the zoo. This zoo was not like those in the United States. In this zoo you could get really close to the animals and readily interact with the amazing creatures. It was here that I discovered what I had always suspected was true: Katherine has a universally magnetic personality that people AND animals respond to! Her energy not only transcends languages, but it transcends species, as well. This camel clearly fell in love with her... immediately! Katherine is a force of nature and I feel so lucky to be on the same planet in the same place at the same time that she is!”

— Lauralyn Eschner

“My first trip to England with the Englands. There would be two more. With each trip, there would be amazing people that I would meet who would become lifelong friends who would get me through difficult times, most especially Katherine. As you can see from this lovely picture, Katherine is not in the picture because she's taking the picture where she climbed a wall to be high and unselfishly, she is not in the picture. With each trip, I learned amazing things, saw amazing art, saw amazing sites and got to spend time with an amazing woman. I love her sense of humor and how she takes no BS from anyone.”

— Roe Weatherspoon

“The (real) Queen of England: I never tire of walking the streets of London with my sister Katherine, guiding travelers to our favorite art and theatre.”

— Jane England

“Some of my favorite memories are the small ones — stopping by each other's houses while walking around the block, waving as we pass in the car, the everyday moments that quietly become part of a shared life. I'm so grateful ours are connected. You and my parents built a village that shaped my life in more ways than I can count. What I love most now is that, through it all, we've grown into a friendship of our own — and that feels really special to me.”

— Terry Orr

“I think that this photo sums up what Katherine means to so many of us — we are a tribe of artists and friends, with Katherine at the center. She has taught us, nurtured our creativity, and brought us all together, with each person enriched by the experiences. This picture is from our final breakfast during the Utah retreat in 2025.”

— Robin McIndoo

“I have so many memories of your mom, it is difficult… The first time I met you Katherine, was in 2005 at the Muck. You have since become one of the most influential people in my life. You opened the door to art, to a community of people who have become dear friends, to London, to Michael, to innumerable artists and more. I consider that day, in 2005, one of my fondest and life-altering memories.”

— Kari-Nina Karlsen

“It was early October 1984. I showed up on Katherine and Paul's San Francisco doorstep without knowing a soul in the city (not even them — though I had a letter of introduction from my brother). 42 years later I still vividly recall our first meeting — Katherine was VERY pregnant with Jordan — and as we explored that magical city together on foot, we haven't stopped talking to each other since. In that time we've worked at neighboring stores, planted gardens, cooked for family and friends, traveled the world and made art together. There's no one with whom I'd rather share kitchen space and there's certainly no one I'd rather argue with about musicals. To Katherine: "Love is too weak a word for the way I feel. I lurve you, you know, I loave you, I luff you, two F's, yes." Yes.”

— Rick Rinaldi

“Dear Katherine, the places we've been and the things we have seen! Let's keep rolling.”

— Jaime Arroyo

“Katherine, Over the years you have taken me completely out of my comfort zone with your frustrating, baffling, dismaying, irksome and vexing ways. You shoot from the hip, are always on the move and swing a wide net. You are overly idealistic, passionate, limitless with your ideas and talent, and many times, absolutely completely delusional. Simply put, my life is so much bigger and so much, much better because of you. Happy Birthday, and cheers to many more exhausting years. Much love, Carol”

— Jim and Carol Towler

“My friend and Soul Sister. Here we are in the early 90s wearing our matching outfits that we snuck away from our screaming children to buy at Ambiance on Haight Street. Where has the time gone? Now those screaming children are full fledged adults, some with screaming children of their own. And you have carved out a life for yourself in a place that was lifeless until you made it come alive with your drive and creative spirit. It's been thrilling to watch that transformation. You are majestic and I love you forever.”

— Rebecca Shannon

“Beautiful woman inside and out. So grateful for her patience and guidance as a teacher. Blessed to call her friend.”

— Elizabeth Truxaw

“Dear Katherine, we have such a special relationship together, connected from afar, always in sync with each other and what we are up to. We shared a few fabulous trips together and don't need words to get re-acquainted. I love being around you and I always watch you from afar even on the map, to see where you are and what you are up to. You inspire me more than you will ever know. I cannot wait to have you close again and to hang out. Much love, your Belgian buddy.”

— Mireille Swinnen

“You opened up an absolute new world for me kindly, wildly, and passionately. I cannot thank you and your parents enough for bringing you into my life and changing it. Love you and miss you.”

— Aya Kinoshita

“You were about 2 minutes into my first mosaic class (that "Damn Bird" — your first class back from Covid, November 2020) when you dropped the "F-bomb." I knew at that moment that I was in the right place. Have been here ever since. Thank you for letting us into your world and life. I expected to learn about mosaics and art, but I didn't expect to be schooled in so much more. Thank you for the "education." With lots of love and admiration. Happy Birthday Katherine!”

— Sue Mundi

“Katherine was my first mosaic teacher. When the week was over I asked what I could do to improve. She told me: "Take classes, take MANY classes." She cursed me and I love her for it!”

— Vera Lawson

“Dear Katherine, I am so very grateful that you came into my life when you did during Covid with your wonderfully inspiring Zoom journaling workshops and amazing mosaic workshops. Thank you for all that you do. All the best in this new chapter of your life. Happy Birthday. I look forward to sharing many more artistic journeys.”

— Sima Zeiger

“Who knew when I took your class at Art Unraveled in 2017 how many times our paths would cross? I am forever grateful that you count me not only as a student, but also as a friend. My favorite memories include our time in Puerto Vallarta and the walk we took through the old graveyard in London in 2022. I wish I could be there to celebrate with you. Love you!”

— Emma Gourley

“She is such a well loved, amazing woman. I consider myself so lucky to be one of her students.”

— Patti Huber

“I have countless memories of Katherine over the years in which she's played various roles in my life; my friend's mom, my art teacher, my sage, and my friend. The most meaningful way she contributed in my development is she taught me to be curious and expressive. She took me to my first ever protest; protesting the Iraq war when I was a junior in high school. Even after Jordan went to college or moved to Spain or moved to France, she kept her door open to me so I could drop in whenever I wanted. She made me feel like a punk kid when I was young (which I was), but she made me feel like family as I got older.”

— Garett Switzer

“When we were in high school or maybe just barely freshman in college I recall Katherine sitting down to write a story about how people enjoy being scared in movies and literature. She couldn't think of a way to start the article. She had a classic case of writer's block and she shared this with us while we were passing her on the computer. We were just getting to know each other then. I suggested that she start the article with "Boo!" Her eyes lit up and she made me feel like a genius for a brief moment. For me, it was a great compliment because I admire her whole aura and for her to think that something I said or did was brilliant was a tremendous compliment for me. All this to say that I value her opinion of things tremendously. She was always very kind to me, but I felt like after that moment, she knew I wasn't a dummy and that maybe I had a little spark in me. She gave me confidence in myself with that small gesture.”

— Erick Salgado

“I first met Katherine at a mosaic portraiture class with Gila. She was welcoming, loud, and full of sassy energy — simply wonderful. I was immediately drawn to her and inspired by her incredible artwork. Getting to know Katherine that weekend was an experience I will never forget, and it made me wish I lived closer so I could see her more often. I feel lucky to know her and privileged to have taken many more classes with her since then. With love, Sandra Fivaz”

— Sandra Fivaz

“Spending countless nights in the "purple house" were some of the best times of my youth — besides the good hangs, it fostered and instilled a creativity in me that lasts until today. Thank you for opening your home to us all (and thank you for having your kids — they're pretty great too). Congrats on seventy and cheers to another decade.”

— Omar Mamoon

“Katherine made a big impact on my life at a young impressionable age... she trusted me to housesit probably before it was warranted (haha!) and funded me to do the Landmark Forum which opened my ways of thinking. Always full of life, unique opinions + artistic conviction, she was around to help shape my understanding of the world and what a woman could be in it! I'm grateful!! Happy birthday Katherine I hope you receive back 100x all you have given.”

— Alisha Flecky

“Photos submitted with love.”

— Candace Magoski

“In 2008 or 2009, I went to your house before leaving for many months of travel and your Mom graciously spent lots of time with me talking about techniques used to keep a travel journal. She even gave me a custom journal. Her genuine attention, caring and support of that journal always stayed with me and inspired me to give others my time and attention when sharing knowledge. Truly a one of a kind person who I hold in the highest regard! Thank you!”

— Brian Tice