How they are Holding Stories Gently Through Paint, Ceramics, and Glass | Kate Van Doren, Andriana Yemetta Kedariti and Karen Mooney
When we sat down to speak with Kate Van Doren, Andriana Yemetta Kedariti, and Karen Mooney, what stood out wasn’t just the artwork they create—it was the stories behind it. Each of these women has found their way to art through very different paths, but they all use their hands to hold something much bigger: memory, healing, connection, and care.
They opened up about the moments that shaped them—the challenges they’ve faced, the people who have inspired them, and the quiet determination that has kept them going. Through painting, ceramics, glass, and textiles, they’re not just creating beautiful objects—they’re building bridges between past and present, between themselves and the people their work touches.
In sharing their journeys, they’ve reminded us that art doesn’t always need to shout to be heard. Sometimes, it’s about showing up with honesty, listening closely, and letting the process lead you somewhere meaningful. Whether through a portrait, a vessel, or a handmade shawl, their stories invite us to look closer—and maybe even see parts of our own lives in the work.
Kate Van Doren: Painting Stories That Help Heal
Kate Van Doren’s work begins where words often end. Based between Mexico and the Pacific Northwest, she is a painter, photographer, and board-certified art therapist who uses realism to share powerful stories—especially those of women who have been through trauma or hardship.
With over twenty years of therapeutic experience, Kate’s art is about more than observation. It’s about connection. She collaborates with her subjects, creating layered portraits that are honest, raw, and filled with empathy. Her Healing Words Project, which has documented over 2,000 women’s stories, is a powerful example of how art can serve as both witness and balm.
Kate blends traditional techniques with contemporary tools. Her foundation in oil painting and classical drawing gives her the structure, while photography, mantras, and mixed media allow her to stretch into modern-day storytelling. She says that through this process, individuals are able to reclaim parts of themselves, turning adversity into something that speaks of courage, not just survival.
Her belief in the emotional impact of art is evident not only in her visual work but in the way she talks about her practice. For Kate, painting isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about care, listening, and transformation. And for the women she works with, that makes all the difference.
Art made from the heart has the power to transform—not only the viewer, but the person being portrayed, and the artist themselves.
To learn more about Kate, click on the links below.
Andriana Yemetta Kedariti: Holding History in Clay
Cyprus-based artist Andriana Yemetta Kedariti shapes memory with her hands. A painter turned ceramicist, Andriana’s path to clay began in 2015, and it quickly became a central part of her life and work. Her vessels—often inspired by ancient pottery—carry the quiet weight of personal history, migration, and cultural heritage.
Andriana grew up moving often, her childhood marked by the echoes of war and displacement. These experiences didn’t silence her—they became part of her language as an artist. Now, when she sits at the wheel or hand-builds her pieces, she’s not just making something new—she’s in conversation with the past.
In the studio, her work is slow and intentional. Every design choice feels rooted in respect: for the clay, for the process, and for the memories it holds. She often uses ancient shapes and patterns, reinterpreting them through her contemporary lens, bridging what was with what is.
Even when life was full—raising a family and working full-time—Andriana never stopped making. Art was her way to stay grounded. Today, she continues to teach children and create pieces that carry stories in their curves and surfaces.
If anything, I’d like to be remembered as an artist who explored identity, culture and personal history through my work – someone who valued handmade and storytelling.
To learn more about Andriana, visit the links below.
Karen Mooney: Weaving Faith, Loss, and Love Into Glass and Fiber
Karen Mooney’s work is made of many things—glass, wool, beads, and above all, heart. Her journey into art is deeply tied to her faith, and each piece she makes is an act of intention.
Karen studied Fine Art Glass under renowned artist Paul Stankard, and she credits him not only as a mentor but as a spiritual guide. It was Paul who inspired her to begin each creative session with prayer—a habit Karen still follows today.
Her standout piece Joseph’s Cloak of Many Colors has traveled from art shows to major museums. But what stays with her most is not the accolades—it’s the meaning stitched and sculpted into the work. Her creations are often worn or held. They’re not just made to be seen; they’re made to be felt.
Through her use of mixed materials—especially in her textile and glass work—Karen brings together traditions from many cultures. She uses color and form to celebrate human diversity and emphasize unity, working toward a vision of togetherness that is both spiritual and practical.
Karen is also a lifelong learner, recently diving into wet felting and continuing to evolve her practice. But no matter what material she’s working with, her message is clear: love, connection, and shared humanity matter most.
I want to create pieces that live in people’s hearts, not just on their walls. If my art can make someone feel seen, inspired, or closer to God’s love, then I’ve fulfilled my purpose.
To learn more about Karen, click on the links below.
What links these three women is not just their dedication to their craft—but their choice to use that craft in service of something larger. Kate paints to help people find their strength again. Andriana sculpts to remember where she came from. Karen weaves and fires glass to bring people together.
Their mediums may be different, but their hearts are aligned. Each of them has found a way to use their art as an offering—something that can be shared, that holds meaning, and that helps others feel seen.
In a world that often feels rushed and disconnected, the work of Kate, Andriana, and Karen asks us to slow down. To look closely. To listen. To remember that the hands that make are also the hands that comfort, support, and heal.
Stay tuned to the Women in Arts Network for more stories amplifying diverse, powerful contemporary art voices. Visit our website and follow us on Instagram.
