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Kathryn Neeley
USA
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“My life is a complex, winding road taking me through 13 cities in seven different states, from America’s farmlands to its biggest cities, and always in service to others.”
For Kathryn Neelay, art has been a throughline in her ever-changing life, but until recently, never the main plot. Her story is one of “art between the lines,” as art was the silent constant, guiding her creatively and bridging the gaps of joy and sadness throughout her life.
Endless Waves | Oil
NA
18 X 24
Emotions never cease, rolling through our lives like endless waves.
Kathryn was born in a small town in Kansas on Thanksgiving Day in 1947. Limited in income, Kathryn’s stay-at-home Mother introduced her to coloring books and crayons to entertain her and unknowingly started her journey into the world of art. At five years of age, Kathryn would duplicate the drawings entirely instead of just coloring the pages. She even drew new coloring books for her friends.
Field of Gold | Oil
NA
24 X 36
The large legendary goldrush in the west. Hopes and dreams of a better future.
As she grew, Kathryn took advantage of any opportunity to explore her artistic side. Nothing prepared her for her senior year of high school when the concepts of abstract art were introduced to her. During this class, her emotions overcame her, and while sitting at her desk she started just painting lines, and shapes and blending the colors around them.
“I started wondering if these teachers and experts in art discredited my view of beauty, did I truly understand art at all?”
When her teacher walked by, she abruptly stopped, stared at the design on the page, and gently said “Keep doing this, it’s very good.” Kathryn wasn’t sure exactly what she had done, but she knew she loved it. Unfortunately, this kind of encouragement would not last long. However, little did she know then, that it was just another small part of her big artistic journey that she still had ahead of her.
Aerial Storm | Oil
NA
16 X 20
The storms that come and go in our lifetime, shape our world and challenge our resolve.
Escaping reality through art, if only for a moment, brings peace.
Dreamscape | Oil
NA
16 X 20
After college, as was common, Kathryn set aside her personal pursuits to follow her new husband’s career in the ministry and service. She found joy in helping others in the community, especially children. She dedicated her life to the education and care of young children and had the privilege of growing several schools from the ground up into successful businesses.
“I do not know how my paintings will look until they are finished. There is no initial sketch or idea, the hand just follows the movements until it finally reaches the end.”
“I was a preschool teacher, a director of several children’s centers, and started afterschool programs, preschools, and daycares from coast to coast. My life was busy and fulfilling, but I only picked up a paintbrush for the occasional children’s mural.”
In 2002, Kathryn stumbled onto a local art contest near the small town where she lived in Illinois. She decided to take a chance and reconnect with her abstract self. The risk was worth it as she finally found a group of artists who understood her point of view and her passion for abstract was reborn. But life has this habit of taking unexpected turns and changing its course without any warning.
The Chaotic Expanse | Oil
NA
18 X 24
Looking through a blurred window with no clear vision of what is to come, but never losing hope.
Six years and six contest wins later, her life took another turn and the contests stopped. Art was once again put back on the shelf. It wasn’t until retirement in 2016 that Kathryn would once again reignite her passion. She moved to North Hollywood, CA where her son and grandchildren resided. Her son encouraged her to pick up the brush once again and enter an abstract competition, this time online, a new forum for her.
Infinity | Oil
NA
18 X 24
Into a realm of darkness, a never-ending feeling of eternity.
She is thrilled to find a community of people, this time globally, who understand and appreciate her vision once again. At 76 she is finally able to share her love of the abstract with the entire world. For Kathryn, abstract art is expressing emotions, mixing colors, using every tool including brushes and pallet knives, and letting the creativity flow.
The amazing world of animals in the wild, roaming free.
Into the Wild | Oil
NA
12 X 24
“Different moods, struggles, and emotions are reflected in each of my paintings.”
Heatwaves | Oil
NA
16 X 20
Abstract art warms the heart of those who feel its message.
Drawn from the winding road of her life, Kathryn’s work represents the spectrum of feelings; from love to sorrow, from anger to happiness, and from frustration to peace. Each stroke placed on the canvas reveals a meaning of its own, each color blended, reflecting the blending of her experiences. Starting with just a color in mind she lets her brush do the work and the pallet knife enhances the forms.
A moment much needed for solace and quietness of the soul.
Refuge | Oil
NA
18 X 24
Kathryn has lived what she calls an abstract life; the ultimate design is a mystery until it emerges and speaks for itself. She is grateful that at the age of 76, art is no longer between the lines but her whole canvas, and she is determined to keep adding colors to it until she can—until she can finally see the complete picture.
Aerial Fire |Oil
NA
18 X 24
A blaze of fire sweeps across the continents. The only way to put it out is to believe in oneself and love one another.
“I feel that releasing these feelings, experiences, and desires, on canvas makes me a better person.”
Kathryn Neeley
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