Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Denize Katzen . We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Denize thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. I’m sure there have been days where the challenges of being an artist or creative force you to think about what it would be like to just have a regular job. When’s the last time you felt that way? Did you have any insights from the experience?
Yes! I had a regular job . I was a former Acting Teacher / Theater. Director who has reinvented herself as a visual artist since moving to Sedona Arizona from NYC 10 yrs ago . My mother, Lila Katzen was a well know American Sculptor and my father was an Art dealer. . I grew up in the 50 ‘s world of Abstract Expressionism with many of my mother’s fellow Artist friends , Jackson Pollack, Willem De Kooning and Robert Motherwell ( to name a few ) were guests at our dinner table . Being the “Drama Queen” and Theatrical kid that I was , I decided at a young age to be an Actress and I earned a degree in Education and Theater from Goddard Collage and enjoyed a successful career as an Actress and Educator in NYC for over 30 yrs .
Growing up in the Art World, and not wanting to compete with my mother , I made Art quietly , keeping my interest in the visual arts “on the back burner”. while I pursued a career in the Theatrical Arts . Since moving to Sedona I have incorporated and melded my Theater and Dance background into my paintings and drawings .As a member of The Sedona Art’s Center, I have exhibited and sold work but fortunate to be retired and not dependent on this income to make ends meet .
Denize, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
Denize Katzen has been making Art as long as she can remember . In addition to her love of the visual arts , she also enjoyed a successful career in the Performing Arts including acting, teaching and directing Theater in New York City .Denize’s love of Drama , Dance and all things theatrical are reflected in her paintings , drawings and mixed media collages . Since moving to Sedona , Ms Katzen paintings have been on display in several exhibitions at The Sedona Art’s Center including “What Sedona Means To Me , “ The Big Gay Art Show , The Surrealism Show, as well as several Member’s shows
Denize’s work speaks to her love of birds , the female form ,and the intimate conversations that exist with nature . “ Once Upon A Time When Women Were Birds, There Was An Understanding That To Sing At Dawn ,And To Sing At Dusk Was To Heal The World Through Joy “ -Terry Tempest Williams
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
I am not sure if this answers the question, but when I first started drawing and painting again , I joined a group on Face Book called “Draw and Paint 5 Minutes A Day “ which encouraged me to post preliminary drawings and paintings ideas daily and get meaningful feedback and support from fellow artists before I submitted to various Art exhibitions.. I have also joined other Artist groups that have been very influential . I have reached out to other artists and have sold on these sites !
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My particular goal has been to re invent myself as a visual artist in my golden yrs .and to express my love of Birds and the freedom they represent .
Contact Info:
- Instagram: denize_diletante_in _Sedona
- Facebook: Denize Katzen
