Artist’s Vision Statement
The freedom, spontaneity and speed – the “wet and loose”- of watercolor suits my temperament. My approach is “juicy” incorporating bright colors, broad strokes, and strong shapes to depict my feelings and impressions of the natural landscape, flowers and trees, buildings, foreign lands and exotic places. Most enjoyable to me is the freedom of painting on location – en plein air. Inspiration for studio work comes from sketches and slides, taken while walking in community, working in my garden, hiking in the wilderness or traveling in foreign lands.
My recent, more experimental work utilizes an original technique of texturing oriental papers with watercolor pigments. These papers are torn, arranged and collaged to create interesting abstract images. Metallic foil, pastel and opaque media are also utilized to enhance the image.
Art Background
Kay has been painting for over 50 years and has studied locally with Jane Hofstetter, Charlotte Britton, Jane Burnham and Marie MacDonnell Roberts. Always endeavoring to learn and grow, she has painted in workshops with nationally know artists such as Brommer, Nechis, Szabo, Betts, Simandle, Webb, Cheng Khee Chee and many others.
An active member of the Allied Artists West, Santa Clara Valley Watercolor Society, Los Gatos Art Association, Saratoga Contemporary Artists, The National League of American Pen Women and a signature member of the Society of Western Artists, Kay shows regularly with these groups throughout the Bay Area.
The City of Saratoga honored this local artist by presenting one of her paintings to Saratoga’s Sister City of Muko-shi in Japan. In 2005 the County of Santa Clara purchased a local vineyard painting to present to their Sister County of Florence, Italy. Two of Kay’s orchard painting are hanging in Saratoga’s Senior Center.
Personal Background
A resident of Saratoga for over fifty years, Kay has been active in community affairs with a particular interest in parks and the preservation of open space. She served for 20 years as an elected Director of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District. Kay is an avid hiker (AAUW hikes leader) & gardener (great tomatoes!).
Kay is a native of Long Island, New York and has a chemistry degree from Syracuse University. Her husband is a retired physics professor from the University of Santa Clara. They have 3 children and 3 grandchildren.
With her husband on sabbatical in 1993, Kay spent 6 months in Lyon, France studying and painting. (In the 60’s they lived in The Netherlands for one year.)