October 29, 2021
Who knew that participating in the Montco Studio Tour would lead to an interview with CBS 3 news? Anyone who knows me realizes that this would not be a jumping up and down moment for me. Interviews terrify me!, but as a fresh artist I sucked it up and answered questions. I figure the only way to get past this is to keep doing it scared. I guess that is where courage comes in. That is what we are going to talk about today, courage. Courage to ask questions, courage to put your face and name in front of your work, and courage to let a higher power lead the way.

I have always been inspired to leave something behind in this physical world besides my children. I want to leave something inspiring and conversational for the next generations to ponder and think about. Now, I’m not a Duchamp, Kilmt or Van Goh, but I do have something to say that is worthwhile hearing and thinking about.

The world we live in is a kaleidoscope of colors and shapes to be viewed at different times and angles; artists are influenced by their surroundings. This is why you get so many different interpretations of the same thing. I love to look at plants, leaves and trees for my ideas. My mentor Jim Femino always talked to me about trees, “ a tree doesn’t do anything but grow, sprout leaves, and shed leaves in the fall.” The process takes place day after day, week after week, year after year until death. As a visual artist breaking down the artistic process into the most basic of pieces helps the design develop. This works through sketching rough ideas, developing sketches, and the actual project. For an artist this takes courage! Courage to believe that the product you are creating visually says what you want to say, is worthwhile for public viewing, and holds value.

The Montco Studio Tour helped bolster my courage with the public. My oil paintings and pen/ink pointillism that I offered for purchase were positively received. When the Valley Forge Tourism and Convention Board partnered with the King of Prussia mall to hang art for public viewing, I along with other Montco Studio Tour artists were offered this opportunity. Seven of us are hanging in the First Arts Montco Wall.

A wide variety of pieces from prominent local artist(s) Robby Schlesigner (Elkins Park), Lynnette Shelley (Ambler), Harry Boardman (Souderton), Katherine Bampfield (Norristown), Sandy Alves (Collegeville), and David Rozek (Bridgeport) is currently on display. You never know where each opportunity is leading you, so have courage and jump in!

Katherine