Artist? Maybe. Someone who loves to paint? Definitely! Kathy has been an “arts and crafter” for many years usually painting or revitalizing birdhouses that her Daddy made or cast off furniture that needed a new start in life. It wasn’t until 2007 when she signed up for an art class at the encouragement of a friend that her passion for painting was ignited. She started her work using acrylic on canvas and painting scenes from the Mississippi Delta or items that had lots of character and personality.
Making an attempt to try something a little different with acrylic paint in the fall of 2007, Kathy arrived at a technique that she refers to as “striated painting”. Using acrylic paint, she spreads and blends various colors on strips of wax paper. Texture is added and the colors are swirled and blended producing some very interesting combinations. The sheets are hung up to dry. Once completely dry and with an idea in her mind, Kathy begins cutting the colored sheets into irregular strips. Using a decoupage medium, she fixes them to a canvas board. The strips dry for several hours and then are evaluated for the next stage. Using this striated canvas as the background, Kathy begins to paint in objects to embellish or enhance the painting. Trees, barns, fences, even sunflowers may be added to enhance a “landscape”. Koi fish may be added to the mottled blue backgrounds to give the feeling of movement and the flow of water. This technique has been unique to the artist and one that appeals to her original arts and crafter background. Each painting is truly an individual work of art.
Kathy’s background is far from artistic in nature. She graduated from Delta State University with a degree in Chemistry and Biology. She graduated from Baptist Medical Center in Memphis, TN, with her certification in Laboratory Medical Technology. She currently works for Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics as a technical applications specialist in the field of hemostasis. Her territory includes Mississippi and Louisiana, but she may be asked to travel to any of the other states when assistance is needed. She and her husband, Kenny, enjoy living on Lake Chicot with their menagerie of rescued dogs and cats.
Painting is not her only love in art. She is also a mosaic artist. Her favorite items are well-loved, but cast aside tables that were once used as small side tables, coffee tables, etc. Using colorful broken pieces of tile and glass, beautiful color and texture are added to these table tops. They are finished out with a faux finish paint on the legs and oftentimes an eclectic drawer pull for a handle. Voila! A trash to treasure work of art.