Artist Statement

“Nothing beats that moment, after my initial drawing is transferred to my watercolor paper, when I can start putting down color. I’m drawn to paint things that may seem ordinary or mundane, but because of lighting or color or shape, I find exciting to bring to life. I hope to make the viewer stop and notice the subject of the painting as more than ‘vegetables on a table’, or ‘coffee canisters’, but rather shapes, forms and colors that speak in their own artistic way. I want to show the beauty or interest in that ‘ordinary’ subject matter. I enjoy painting a variety of subjects, but seem to gravitate to close-up still lifes or unusual perspectives. Each watercolor painting is built up slowly with many glazes of transparent color, using the paper for white. This glazing method creates a glow from within and a more solid looking form than can be achieved with some other methods. Bringing a painting to life from a stark white sheet of paper is a source of real joy for me.”

Kathy Armstrong

Artist Resume

KATHY ARMSTRONG

WORK HISTORY:

2000-pres Watercolor Artist
1995-2000 Partner/Art Director/Graphic Designer, Armstrong & Armstrong
1987 -1995 Art Director/Graphic Designer, Armstrong Creative, Inc.
1984 -1987 Owner/ Art Director/Graphic Designer, Washburn Design
1979- 1984 Assistant Art Director, CommuniCraft, Inc.

EDUCAT1ON:

Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Watercolor Classes with Julia Jordan, Golden, Colorado, mid-90's

PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS:

Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators

SHOWS & RECOGNITION (* DENOTES JURIED SHOW):

FAL 2010 - “Watercolor Wisconsin 2010”, Racine Art Museum, WI
SUMMER 2010 - Art Zoobilee, Henry Vilas Zoo, Madison, WI – Summer 2010
SUMMER 2010 - Milwaukee Domes Art Festival, Milwaukee, WI – Summer 2010
SPRING 2010 -Wisconsin Watercolor Society, Jura Silverman Gallery, Spring Green, WI – Spring 2010
2010 - “Mixed Greens,” WVA Exhibit, Promega, Fitchburg, WI – 2010
FALL 2009 - “Watercolor Wisconsin 2009”, Racine Art Museum, WI – Fall 2009
FALL 2009 - Wisconsin Watercolor Society Exhibit, Kenosha, WI – Fall 2009
SUMMER 2009 - Wauwatosa Plein Air Event quick paint Award Winner, Wauwatosa, WI – Summer 2009
SPRINT 2009 - Wisconsin Watercolor Society, State Street Gallery, Madison, WI–Spring 2009
SPRING 2009 - Judge and speaker for Wisconsin Regional Art Program – Spring 2009
SUMMER 2008 - Concerts on the Square 2008 Poster Competition Winner – Summer 2008
SPRING 2008 - Featured Artist, Wisconsin Public Television Auction – Spring 2008
FALL 2007 - “Small Treasures,” WP&S Exhibit, Steenbock Gallery, Madison, WI – Fall 2007
WINTER 2007 - “Rural Visions,” WP&S Exhibit, Steenbock Gallery, Madison, WI – Winter 2007
JULY 2006 - “Summer Blossoms,” Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison, WI – July 2006
SPRING 2006 - “Symetry,” WP&S Exhibit, Steenbock Gallery, Madison, WI – Spring 2006
FEB-MAR 2006 - WP&S "Madison: People, Places& Events* - Overture Gallery: Madison, WI
SPRING 2006 - Selected artist for Art of Note violin fundraiser for WYSO, Madison, WI
FALL 2005 - "Two Cultures/One Spirit"- Wisconsin Union Galleries, Madison, WI
FALL 2005 - "Two Cultures/One Spirit"- Neville Public Museum, Green Bay, WI
FALL 2005 - Watercolor Society Show - Cedarburg Cultural Center, Cedarburg, WI
SPRING 2005 - "Roots"*- WP&S Exhibit, Steenbock Gallery, Madison, WI
fALL 2005 - Wisconsin Watercolor Society Show - West Bend, WI
12/04-3/05 - Watercolor Wisconsin 2004 , * - Racine Art Museum, Racine WI - Award Winner
DEC 2004 - WP&S "Non-Traditional Self Portraits",* Steenbock Gallery, Madison, WI
OCT 2004 - Wisconsin Watercolor Society - Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI
DEC 2004 - WP&S "Collaborations"* - Wisconsin Academy Gallery, Madison, WI
FALL 2004 - Wisconsin Watercolor Society - Anderson Art Center, Kenosha, WI
DEC 2004 -WP&S "Don't Blink" Exhibit, Madison WI
12/03 - 3/04 - Watercolor Wisconsin 2003,* Racine Art Museum, Racine WI - Award Winner
2003-2004 -Cover art for 2004 Dane County Cultural Affairs Commission Calendar
SEPT 2003 - Judge and speaker for WRAP exhibit, Madison, WI (Wisconsin Regional Art Program)
MAY 2003 - Epidemic Peace Imagery Exhibit, traveling Wl
AUG-OCT 2002 - One person show at Verex Building, Madison Wl
JUNE 2002 - Two person Show at Grace Chosy Gallery
MAY 2002 - WP&S Exhibit*, Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI- Award Winner
NOV 2001 - Wisconsin Artists Biennial 2001 *
JUNE 2001 - California Watercolor Association*- 33rd National Art Exhibition
2001-2002 - Two Person exhibit at Kneaded Relief, Madison WI

GALLERIES:

Edgewood Orchard Galleries, Fish Creek, WI
Grace Chosy Gallery, Madison WI