About the Artist
Artist Statement
KTS Fine Arts
Kathie Stevens, Artist
McHenry, IL 60050
815.353-5571
Personal Statement
I have loved art and painting for as long as I can remember. However, life, marriage, children (now grown) sidetracked any action I considered to develop my interest and skills. Once my children became adults, I carved out the time to start and took some classes to help me create a path to become an artist. At that time and for a short time following, I worked almost exclusively in pastels and acrylics. Roughly 15 years ago I found my medium, watercolor and haven’t looked back. I find watercolor an exciting medium and I use a variety of techniques in each painting. I love seeing the paint and water mix, creating a beautiful movement on the paper.
Subjects and Interests
I continue to grow in my art and refine my style. I paint flowers, water and nature reveling in the extraordinary colors and hues. Another interest of mine is painting architecture, both old and new. People who have seen my work have commented that it is calming and serene.
As an artist, I strive to create emotion, whether it be a inner peace or just seeing and feeling the beauty that surrounds us in our everyday lives. I love seeing a smile when a patron views my work. I have been fortunate to have had numerous commissions and have won many awards.
Watercolor artists typically paint on white watercolor paper. In the past few years, I have been able to paint on black watercolor paper and it's been great fun. Layers and layers of paint create some very special effects, which have lead to exciting results. I have also painted on watercolor canvas which creates a different effect.
A few years ago, I discovered Pleine Aire painting, which added a whole new dimension to my painting experience. Challenging in a different way...faster and always changing. Shadows once there are gone...there is always movement. The same location can look so different depending on the time of day and the weather. When I think of Pleine Aire painting, I think of nature's beauty, movement, change, light dark, shadows and life every changing.
People have always interested me. When a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to paint portraits of Syrian Children refugees, and donate the sales back to the various organizations that sponsored them, I said yes. That led me to expand into portrait and figure painting, which has been a joy and great addition to my repertoire.
I enjoy continuing my education by taking classes and workshops. Every time I learn something new, I try to incorporate it in my work. Like life, the artist in me is continually learning, changing and growing.
Exhibits (past and present)
I have exhibited my work in numerous locations in Illinois and Wisconsin. I have artwork in numerous states across the country, stretching from Maine to California.
Currently my work is hanging in:
Gallery 223, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
The Olive Oil Shop, Lake Geneva, Wisconsin
Terlep Chiropractic Center, Woodstock, Illinois
My past exhibits include:
Woodstock Chiropractic Center in Woodstock, IL.
Terlep Chiropractic Center in Crystal Lake, IL.
Woodstock Courthouse Gallery in Woodstock, IL
Woodstock Opera House in Woodstock, IL
Ontarioville Gallery in Ontarioville, IL
Lakeside Legacy Park in Crystal Lake, IL
Rau Center in Crystal Lake, IL.
The Garlands of Barrington in Barrington, IL
Crabtree Nature Center in Barrington, IL
Wisconsin Regional Art Program in Burlington, WI
Face of McHenry County in Harvard, IL
McHenry County Museum in Union, Il
McHenry County Fair in Woodstock, Il
Women’s Works in Woodstock, IL
Creek Gallery in Crystal Lake, IL
Norris Gallery in St. Charles, IL
Prairie Center in Schaumburg, IL
Memberships (past and present)
Artists Journey
Artists of the Midwest
Friends of No Monet
Geneva Lake Arts Foundation
Illinois Watercolor Society
Lakes Region Watercolor Guild
Northland Area Art League
Northwest Area Arts Council
Plein Air Painters of Illinois
Studio 2909
Transparent Watercolor Society of America (presently Marketing Chairman)
Whitewater Arts Alliance
