We were lucky to catch up with Kathy Street recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Kathy thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I retired from my career in Information Technology five years ago, working for the same major insurance company for 38 years. As an IT Division Manager, I worked long hours and I loved my career. My position allowed little time for hobbies, but I always did some artistic endeavors, such as painting bird houses for my yard. That was fun and I still enjoy creating lovely birdhouses for the feathered friends that visit my yard, but it never satisfied my artistic drive.

I retired five years ago and the first thing I wanted to do was take art lessons. I had always been an art lover, visiting galleries and art markets, and I knew I wanted to learn how to paint. I started working with a wonderful teacher who remains my mentor and now, a friend. My original goal was simply to learn to paint and be able to generate art for my home and for friends and family. My first sale was by accident. I saw a lovely watercolor painting of a guitar on Pinterest and I really wanted to paint it in oil – my favorite medium. I contacted the artist and asked permission to paint it in my style and she freely gave it since it was for my grandson. At her request, I sent her a photo of the completed painting and she loved it. Her husband had his own band and he loved my painting so I did one for him as a thank you for allowing me to use her watercolor as an inspiration. From there, other members of the band wanted a painting of their instruments so “The Art of Kathy Street” was born and I ended up painting and selling three more to the band members. Now, I focus on enjoying painting, still doing art for my own home and family, but I also do commissions.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

As noted earlier, I was always interested in the arts. I love the full spectrum, from paintings to theatre to literature. While my schedule didn’t allow me to personally pursue art while focused on my career, I always knew that I wanted to paint. Once I retired, I finally found the time to learn and pursue my passion.

I started in acrylic painting, as many oil artists do, but quickly moved to oil painting. I use acrylic for underpainting still and for some miniature painting, but oil is my love. I am inspired by the world around me and I am fascinated by color and texture. It brings me great joy to paint a mundane object or scene and find the beauty in it. An avid gardener, I love painting flowers, focusing on one single bloom to fully explore the intricate details of the bloom and leaves. Landscapes and beach scenes will always be a passion of mine, but I also love painting an old house or a rustic object and exploring the beauty of times past.

My style is primarily realistic, with a touch of impressionism. I have actually wanted to focus on impressionism, but it is important as an artist to recognize your own strengths and weaknesses. After a career in IT, I have learned that I am a very detail-oriented person and I continue to be in my painting. I have a need to capture the little details in every painting I do.

When I think about what I offer a client/buyer of my art, I think about my personality – that attention to detail. What I offer a client is my time. I don’t generate art quickly and I doubt that I ever will. What I offer is that attention to detail in every painting and it doesn’t matter how much time it takes to complete that artwork. I will give it 100% and it isn’t finished until I am happy with it first and foremost.

I’m proud of my art. I began my art journey in my early 60’s and it has become my passion. There is so much I want to paint and I am on a lifelong journey to improve my skills and continue to improve my art every year.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think the most important advice I can offer is that it is never too late to pursue a passion, whatever that passion is for the individual. If you find yourself drawn to a creative endeavor, never think that you are too busy or it is too late in life to learn that endeavor. It isn’t. It only takes initiative and willingness to learn and like most things in life, the determination to work hard and reach a goal. I used to tell my mentor that when I wasn’t happy with a finished piece of art, I hung it on the walls of my garage as decoration. I am pleased that there aren’t any paintings hanging in my garage today. Sounds a little silly, but that was one of my early goals. I never wanted to finish a piece of art and be unsatisfied with it to the point that I used it to decorate my garage!

Alright – so here’s a fun one. What do you think about NFTs?

I was only recently introduced to NFT’s by a wonderful artist that is very focused on selling her artwork through NFT’s. I have mixed feelings about it. It is difficult for an artist to earn money and I am very pro any method that helps an artist financially, I do believe that an artist can be financially successful selling their artwork as NFT’s. I think it is critical that the artist spend the time to fully understand this endeavor and not just quickly jump into it. It is complex and the artist I met spent a year studying NFT’s and how to be successful in this area.

The reason NFT’s will never be an interest of mine is simple. To see beautiful artwork on a wall cannot be replaced by an NFT. My background was Information Technology and I know that electronics will continue to be core to our world, but I cannot imagine replacing that joy, that wonder, that awe I feel when I look at a great piece of art with an electronic screen. I love the work of Claude Monet, among others. I had the pleasure of seeing an exhibit of Claude Monet’s works a number of years ago and I was in awe of the beauty. To see the dimensions, the carefully placed brush strokes, and the majesty of his works in person cannot be replaced by an electronic screen.