Artist Statement

       Kathy is originally from Normal, Illinois. She began her education at Illinois State University where she studied illustration and then transferred to the metals program at Boise State University, where she eventually ended up at Oregon College of Art and Craft(OCAC).  Metal as a medium is freeing, it allows her to incorporate illustration into her work by shaping the material in order to tell a story.  She frequently works with brass, copper and silver because she enjoys the plasticity of the metal and the sensitivity to surface treatments such as patinas and enamels, along with techniques such as chasing and repoussé, raising, and piercing.  These processes encourage her to explore new ways to produce more accurate representations of the sketches she draws.  She’d like to continue exploring the relationship between illustration and metal by creating pieces that speak with symbolism. She plans to expand on the idea of visual matter used to create a narrative. Kathy has a strong affinity for animals as they appear in her work frequently.  Her skills range in media from watercolor/gouache or acrylic, digital painting, resins, leather work, or metal work. 

       Kathy has recently graduated with a BFA in Metals from OCAC.  Her thesis body of work consists of the exploration and relationship of illustration to metal by creating pieces of work that speak of influences in her life through symbolism.  The thesis consisted of three parts: a story, illustrations, and metalwork.  The illustrated images and metal pieces work together to narrate the story.  The metalwork gives life to the body of art as ‘artifacts’ from the story, giving the viewer a complete understanding of the narrative.   She hopes to continue crafting pieces that exemplify animals and other influences surrounding her to portray a narrative for the viewer to experience.