Given last week's toy theme, I thought I'd continue it a bit this week. I have done a Weekly Wonder about Lego before: Toys as Art Medium featuring the work of Nick Sawaya and in Make Your Mark- Guerrilla Art. Today's piece features an artist and mom who started using Lego as her medium in order to spend time with her young son with autism, who was really into building with Lego.
See
Katherine’s journey with Lego as a medium began as an experiment, but quickly became a language all its own. Diagnosed with autism as an adult, Katherine found that the tactile, repetitive process of building with Lego offered a unique sense of calm and focus. The act of sorting, stacking, and arranging bricks became not just an artistic practice, but a therapeutic one—helping her process emotions and connect with her sensory world.
We’ve got a plan and we’re sticking with it, 2023
Autism shapes Katherine’s creative process in beautiful ways. Her attention to detail, love of patterns, and sensitivity to color are all strengths that shine through in her art. Rather than seeing autism as an obstacle, Katherine embraces it as a source of inspiration and resilience.
“You can make your own plans, the day will make itself” 2024
Duclos began painting the bricks in 2022 when she began to feel limited by the color selection offered by the Lego Group.
The perfect getaway, 2023
Times of transition and upheaval are particularly difficult for autistic families, and Katherine’s need to order her world became more intense as her home became more chaotic and the future seemed unclear. To better prepare herself for the changes, she focused on regulatory work that enabled her to feel a sense of control and order amidst the chaos. (Vancouver Art Gallery)
If you Can Dream it, 2023
"Lego lets me organize my thoughts in color and shape, and create order out of chaos."- Katherine Duclos
The fairies will find us if we leave a trail, 2024
Twin Cities Readers!
Are you interested in learning a unique drawing method that sparks creativity and mindfulness?
Neurographic Art Class-January 7th, 2026
Discover the calming, creative practice of neurographic art—a mindful drawing method developed by psychologist Pavel Piskarev. No experience needed—just bring your curiosity, your favorite mug (tea provided!), and a willingness to play with color and line. This meditative process helps reduce stress, spark creativity, and offers a unique way to express emotions and intentions. Leave with a finished piece and a renewed sense of calm.
Give yourself the gift of relaxation and expression—secure your place in our upcoming Neurographic Art Class today!
Get where you’re going, 2023
Say
I am a firm believer that art supports well-being in many ways. I hear over and over again from my art clients that they experience a sense of calm and flow when we are art making.
- When was the last time you lost yourself in a creative activity? What did it feel like?
- How do you create “order out of chaos” in your own space or mind?
- Have you ever used art, music, or writing to process emotions or manage stress?
- Can you remember a time when making something with your hands brought you calm or joy?
- How might you use creativity to support your mental health this week?
Do
How might you use creativity to support your own well-being? Can you find joy in the simple act of making?
- Lego Abstract Art: Use Lego bricks (or any building blocks) to create your own abstract design. Focus on color, shape, and pattern—no rules, just play!
- Found Object Collage: Gather everyday items (buttons, bottle caps, paper scraps) and arrange them into a collage. Notice how organizing objects can bring a sense of order and calm.
- Color Sorting Meditation: Collect colored objects from around your home and sort them into gradients or patterns. Pay attention to how color affects your mood.
- Try this ultimate color sorting game, I love Hue
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About the Artist: Katherine Duclos
Katherine Duclos (b. 1980, Massachusetts) received her MFA in Painting and Drawing from Pratt Institute in 2012 in Brooklyn, NY. She moved from New York City to Vancouver, BC in late 2017 with her family, where she maintains an active multi-media studio practice delving into concepts of motherhood, identity, neurodivergence, materiality, and more. Her work is a reflection of her engagement with her family, environment, and her experience as a gifted and disabled neurodivergent woman and mother.
In 2023 Duclos collaborated with The Lego Group to create artwork for their Miami Art Basel pop up, Center for Creative Flow, at the W Hotel. In just six weeks she made over forty-five square ft of abstract color constructions mounted on wooden panel for the weekend event, that will go on to live at the LEGO group headquarters in Massachusetts.. They also produced a documentary, Small Tiny Starts, about Katherine, the collaboration, her Lego process, and her family, which debuted in 2024 on their YouTube channel. Please see the ‘Press’’ page for interviews about this collaboration.
In addition to large scale projects like this, Katherine regularly exhibits her work across the US and Canada and her work can often be found in several galleries, and locally at the Vancouver Art Gallery Rental and Sales. She has worked as a teaching artist for organizations such as Studio in a School in New York City and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. She welcomes studio visits, commissioned projects, and collaborations.
www.katherineduclos.com
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Browse the Weekly Wonder archives for more art and inspiration.
