I have been a psychotherapist for nearly 35 years, and only began painting about 15 years ago. I am primarily self taught, supplemented with some classes and workshops with some excellent artists. I'm fortunate to live in the Hudson Valley in New York, where many good artists live and work.
The thrill of creating a two dimensional image of something I find beautiful continues to drive me...It's been a wonderful journey, reading about the lives of other artists, learning how they achieved the results they did, and coming to appreciate the work of artists whose work and sensibilities are quite different from mine. This last part is probably the greatest gift I've received from participating in the life of art.
As much as I always perceived myself as an open person, it was accepting another's perception of what was beauty that took me to an even deeper level. At the same time, it strengthened my own value for what I myself consider beautiful, worthwhile of documenting in paint. The highest compliment I ever received was that my paintings were the kind that "made one smile".
I don't have the financial pressure which requires me to market my work, so I am free to work at my own pace, exhibit where I feel comfortable...or not. I sell a painting or two a year, give some away to family or good causes, but mostly spread them around my studio...tweaking them as the spirit moves me. Sometimes I ruin a perfectly good painting that way! As I think about it, another bonus from entering the world of art has been the kind of people one meets there. Very special. They challenge me to take that chance, push the envelope, see where it takes me.
www.kathleen-hoekstra.artistwebsites.com
The thrill of creating a two dimensional image of something I find beautiful continues to drive me...It's been a wonderful journey, reading about the lives of other artists, learning how they achieved the results they did, and coming to appreciate the work of artists whose work and sensibilities are quite different from mine. This last part is probably the greatest gift I've received from participating in the life of art.
As much as I always perceived myself as an open person, it was accepting another's perception of what was beauty that took me to an even deeper level. At the same time, it strengthened my own value for what I myself consider beautiful, worthwhile of documenting in paint. The highest compliment I ever received was that my paintings were the kind that "made one smile".
I don't have the financial pressure which requires me to market my work, so I am free to work at my own pace, exhibit where I feel comfortable...or not. I sell a painting or two a year, give some away to family or good causes, but mostly spread them around my studio...tweaking them as the spirit moves me. Sometimes I ruin a perfectly good painting that way! As I think about it, another bonus from entering the world of art has been the kind of people one meets there. Very special. They challenge me to take that chance, push the envelope, see where it takes me.
www.kathleen-hoekstra.artistwebsites.com