ABOUT KATHY’S ARTWORK
Though I dabbled and studied many forms of art under the patient influence of many a teacher throughout my childhood and early education, it wasn’t until I was 50, under the tutelage of Laurie Meyer, that I discovered the language of my inner artist soul. Laurie taught me far more than oil painting technique. She sang the praises and introduced me to the truly “greats” who’d paved the way ahead of us. There, in her oils-christened garage studio, Degas challenged me to paint from the real world around me in bright vivid color, Monet inspired me with his burning passion for sunlight, Sargent shared his deep respect for human form and a love of Italy, Caravaggio released me from my inhibitions with his dramatic “chiaroscuro” style. Because of Laurie I formed a deep understanding and appreciation for the brave and soulful Impressionists. Their courage freed me from my bondage to rules and pressures of the critics, whoever they might be, to do whatever I had to do to leave the observers bench and join the quest to communicate the language of the heart upon the canvas and, ultimately, to lure the onlooker into their own search for Truth.
The longer I live, the more convinced I am that we are all made to express our inner soul through art. I firmly believe that every human being was created with an inner voice that longs to speak and, even more so, to be heard. Sadly, many of us never learned the language of our soul and are left searching for that poem, song, sculpture, painting…that not only speaks to us but for us! As an artist, it is my greatest honor whenever I’ve been chosen to be that voice for someone.
Because art speaks volumes,
Kathy Bailey