More About Kathy

Nature is all at once beautiful, exhilarating, and a window to my soul. Art offers opportunities to pull away from a hum drum crazy life, explore and breathe. 

My muse is the Pacific Northwest: I love to hike, kayak or walk in my garden or in Gig Harbor. I am intrigued by sea life, birds, flowers and local scenery, but also whatever is in front of me that captures my imagination.  

During my adventures I photograph and later retreat to my studio and create. My favorite medium is Chinese Ink and (watercolor) Color and I paint in a Westernized style of Chinese Gongbi painting. This method is contemplative, relaxing and welcomes the detail I love.  Gongbi means “meticulous detail.” It was developed by the Chinese during the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago. This style of painting has been adopted in Korea and Japan as well. 

My hope is that my art will invite you to enter a “sweet spot” where you will find a bit of peace and joy through your experience. 

Painting became my second career after retiring from school nursing in 2007.  I was invited to an artists’ cultural exchange in China sponsored by Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) in 2008. On return Patsy Surh O’Connell, artist and director of APCC, invited me to take her Chinese Painting class at Tacoma Community College in Gig Harbor. Other influences are watercolorists Lian Zhen, Joe Garcia and David Lobenberg. 

Over the years I have had solo shows in Seattle and Tacoma, displayed at local and national fine art exhibits and won several awards. My art is collected nationally. In 2018 Harbor Wild Watch (an environmental stewardship group in Gig Harbor,) invited me to create an exhibition on shorebirds and I taught a children’s painting class. My Painting “Beneath the Lilies,” was chosen as the art for the 2016 Gig Harbor Garden Tour poster. I am a Signature member and past president of the Peninsula Art League. 

My art has been made into colorful greeting cards, tiles, cutting boards and prints.

FINDING MY ART:

I am represented by Ebb Tide Gallery, 7809 Pioneer Way, Gig Harbor, WA 98335 open daily.

Or visit my art studio by appointment:  you may contact me through my website,  Kathythurstonart.com, or my email  kathythur@gmail.com