Kathy Collins

A: How long have you been a member of the guild and on the guild board?

K: I joined the Guild in either 2008 or 2009 and have been actively involved in one way or another ever since.

A: What do you do/ have done in your role?

K: I started immediately as Program Chair and secured presenters for our monthly meetings for several years. This allowed me to research and learn about talented artists in our area who I felt could impart some artistic knowledge to our members. I assisted in our Spring show take-ins at Christ Church and eventually in 2016 took over as Show Chair for that event. In 2019 or 2020 I became Membership Chair where I keep the Excel spreadsheet listing all our members and their pertinent information.

A: Why did you join the guild?

K: Simply put, I was asked to join! We must reach out to fellow artists to have them feel included and needed in our organization.

A: When and how did you realize that you are an artist?

K: I have always been creative in one form or another. Gardening was probably my first effort but I have also been obsessed with knitting, quilting and numerous other needle arts. I have found that my oil painting knowledge has crept into my gardening love helping with planting or color combinations.

A: What is your medium?

K: I work exclusively in oils both in my studio work and also in plein-air painting.

A: What is your art about?

K: I love nature and love to capture what I see in front of me whether it be a bouquet or flowers that I arranged or a scene out in nature that grabs my attention. Plein air painting has really allowed me to capture a special view or a very simple or elementary cropped view.

A: What is your method of producing artwork?

K: There is no method-I just paint what inspires me at the moment!

A: Do you have a studio space?

K: I have a dedicated studio in my home that is constantly cluttered but organized.

A: How much time do you spend creating art?

K: There is no normal timeframe but my work depends on grandchildren's activities (which I love) or deadlines with finishing a piece for an upcoming show or working on commissions which I am working on at this moment!

A: What are some of the things you do to promote your art?

K: I have had a FASO website for several years which I think is very important for a serious artist to have. I am active on Instagram and love to share and oftentimes people find what I share somewhat interesting!

A: What advice would you like to share about the creative process, selling art in Charlotte or anything else?

K: Take workshops and study with artists whose work you admire and practice, practice and practice some more! That is how you improve with your selected craft. Travel to different locales to change the scenery in your mind! I am most fortunate to exhibit my artwork locally at Cotswold Marketplace which is a wonderful resource for clients wishing to embellish their homes with beautiful things!