I have known myself as an artist since the age of seven. For thirty years this was my sole means of financial support. I created original designs that were used in block printed cards, soft sculpture mobiles, and paintings. They were sold in cooperative galleries, museum shops, a children’s stores all over the United States.
In 2000 I jumped coasts and made Brattleboro my home. I searched for a Gallery and gave up. The last 16 years I was lucky to be able to spend time with children teaching art, in a school I built in my home. This gave me connections in the community that allowed me to create HARMONY COLLECTIVE.
I wanted to encourage other artists to be able to do what they love and have a platform for Brattleboro to see and be inspired by their makings. We have created a community of supportive artists who can inform and inspire one another. I am awed at how well it all turned out.
Through my art making I have always been searching for a deeper understanding. My inquiries start as an idea that I translate into images that become a set, telling a story. I have explored multiple themes. Some of my favorites are: the stages of life from birth to death, the United Universalist Covenant, idiosyncrasies of being human and many attempts at alphabets.
I invented a version of gouache & India ink resist paintings, following years of block printing, and used the similar technique of focusing on the negative space. They are large and bold and inhabited by a cast of whimsical figures. Certain motifs have followed me throughout my career as an artist. I can trace versions of the story of God promising Noah he will not destroy the world by sending a dove with a leaf, from college drawings through today. With global warming concerns this image has taken on a new meaning.
The Jazz theme reoccurs because in 1997 I was asked to do the poster for a Frankie Manning Lindy Hop fundraiser. I spent two years immersed in studying and listening to Jazz to inspire these works. Recently they have made a comeback.
I also create drypoint monoprints that have fine lines. Here the same family of characters shows up newly. The colors are more muted as I make multiple runs on the press.
A lifetime is a long time to spend playing and growing through art making. I am incredibly blessed in my life that I have been able to love what I do and do what I love.
You may contact the artist at curtisk@together.net and see more of her work at www.kaycurtis.com.
