Getting to Know Kathy Collins, new AU Member
by Debra Valpey, Membership Chair
I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy in her lake front home, and, as we enjoyed the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (trust me, I have tasted MANY chocolate chip cookies in my days), I came to know her as a highly gifted artist and a creative and delightful individual.
Kathy shared with me that drawing had always been her go-to activity as a child. While realizing that making a living from art is a long shot in our society, she never let that dissuade her from celebrating the beauty around her, She studied zoology in college and became a doctor herself, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) while painting in her stolen private moments in med school (they keep you very busy in med school, but she managed to sneak a little bit of time for her artistic self.) One of her early inspirations was Margaret Davidson who specializes scientific illustrations; what a great way to combine one’s two loves of art and sciences.
Kathy’s amazing works decorate her bright light-filled home. Watercolor is her primary medium—she is a member of the American Watercolor Society— and landscapes her favorite subject. However, she is expanding to include the mediums of colored pencil and collage. For the last 40 plus years she has been primarily self-taught. Her watercolors are in various galleries, and she is often invited to teach at those galleries. She must have taught herself well, eh?
One of Kathy’s especially intriguing techniques is what she does with two similar paintings, neither of which she considers a masterpiece. Kathy cuts one into thin strips and places those steps over the other painting; the effect is one of depth, intrigue and beauty. So, don’t throw away your old paintings; make them into something new and wonderful! I call it the “Collins Effect.” Kathy has also taken many of her figure drawings, cut them off below the neck, and colored them in muted shades. They greet you from many corners of her home and they are lovely.
Kathy is a recent transplant to South King County. She moved here from up north to be closer to her six grandkids and their parents. You can tell by her home that art and youngsters’ toys keep each other warm company. However, even the toys are artistically arranged. She has demonstrated here at AU a few years ago so she knew of us but she maintains her art colleague connections up north while she is establishing herself here in South King County, which she is eager to do so. She has begun that process by becoming one of us!
Please introduce yourselves to Kathy. She wants to meet you all
by Debra Valpey, Membership Chair
I had the pleasure of meeting Kathy in her lake front home, and, as we enjoyed the best chocolate chip cookies in the world (trust me, I have tasted MANY chocolate chip cookies in my days), I came to know her as a highly gifted artist and a creative and delightful individual.
Kathy shared with me that drawing had always been her go-to activity as a child. While realizing that making a living from art is a long shot in our society, she never let that dissuade her from celebrating the beauty around her, She studied zoology in college and became a doctor herself, specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation) while painting in her stolen private moments in med school (they keep you very busy in med school, but she managed to sneak a little bit of time for her artistic self.) One of her early inspirations was Margaret Davidson who specializes scientific illustrations; what a great way to combine one’s two loves of art and sciences.
Kathy’s amazing works decorate her bright light-filled home. Watercolor is her primary medium—she is a member of the American Watercolor Society— and landscapes her favorite subject. However, she is expanding to include the mediums of colored pencil and collage. For the last 40 plus years she has been primarily self-taught. Her watercolors are in various galleries, and she is often invited to teach at those galleries. She must have taught herself well, eh?
One of Kathy’s especially intriguing techniques is what she does with two similar paintings, neither of which she considers a masterpiece. Kathy cuts one into thin strips and places those steps over the other painting; the effect is one of depth, intrigue and beauty. So, don’t throw away your old paintings; make them into something new and wonderful! I call it the “Collins Effect.” Kathy has also taken many of her figure drawings, cut them off below the neck, and colored them in muted shades. They greet you from many corners of her home and they are lovely.
Kathy is a recent transplant to South King County. She moved here from up north to be closer to her six grandkids and their parents. You can tell by her home that art and youngsters’ toys keep each other warm company. However, even the toys are artistically arranged. She has demonstrated here at AU a few years ago so she knew of us but she maintains her art colleague connections up north while she is establishing herself here in South King County, which she is eager to do so. She has begun that process by becoming one of us!
Please introduce yourselves to Kathy. She wants to meet you all
