We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Kathleen Denis a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Kathleen , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

When I was four years old my parents sacrificed financially for me to take art lessons. Initially, they sent me because my older brother was taking classes, but the owner of the art center convinced my parents of my talent and encouraged further training. My teacher, a fashion illustrator for Jordan Marsh department store in Miami, FL, taught me how to draw figures in pencil, and pen and ink. I would first copy a fashion illustration in a magazine and then he would cover it up for me to sketch from memory. I continued lessons with him for a few years, while also learning to paint with watercolors and oils.

My parents then enrolled me in many years of dance and modeling, however, with my initial art background, I selected graphic design as my college major and soon thereafter earned a BFA degree from the University of Miami. During my time at college when I was discouraged and tempted to quit, my parents encouraged me to do my best and not give up. I remember my father saying if he had been given the opportunity to go to college he could have done so much more with his life. This inspired me to graduate and become the artist I am today.

Some years later when my mom developed dementia and could no longer speak, she, being my best critic, would give me an encouraging thumbs up with a big smile or a serious thumbs down accompanied with a frown. At times when I’ve wanted to lay down my brush, I could still hear her voice resonating in my head saying, “I didn’t sacrifice all those years for you to give up”, and then I continued doing what I love.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Born in Miami, and growing up in Ft. Lauderdale, I spent a lot of time in the Florida Keys and Bahamas, which greatly influenced my use of subject matter and colorful style. My love of art began at the age of four when taking art lessons from a fashion illustrator. Graduating from University of Miami, with a BFA degree in Graphic Design, I perused a career as a commercial artist for several years. While attending an outdoor art festival and being fascinated by the amazing paintings, I mentioned to my husband that I wanted to do that someday. Lots of studying, practicing and long hours led to making prints of my paintings and participating in outdoor art festivals.

A manufacturer who applies artist’s works on rugs, pillows, and yard banners, contacted me for the use of five of my images for their products. This led to a lucrative career and business becoming one of the country’s leading licensed artists in which my husband Jeff managed, as we participated in licensing trade shows in NYC, Atlanta and CA. Being represented by numerous national and international manufacturers, my art appeared on countless home décor and gift products including wallpaper books, kitchenware, bathroom collections and much more, being sold through stores such as Bed, Bath and Beyond, HomeGoods and gift shops.

Presently, I am represented by a licensing agent which allows for more time to concentrate on painting and teaching, but unfortunately not as many accounts and products. I often participate in plein air events, becoming known for capturing sun-drenched light in my paintings, and am often inspired by scenes of island life and old, charming towns, while creating a story. My contemporary impressionistic style begins with a process in either plein air or studio, using oils, acrylics or gouache, sketches, studies, and various layers of paint. I start with realism and end in creativity, with colorful brushstrokes and energetic movement.

My art has won many outstanding awards, nationally and internationally, including Plein Air Magazine’s Salon, and has been featured in articles in prominent artist magazines, also appearing in movies and tv series such as Hawaii 5-O and Bloodline. Honored to be a member of American Impressionist Society, National Oil and Acrylic Society, Oil Painters of America and an official United States Coast Guard Artist, my collectors include the producers of Titanic and Avatar, as well as political figures.

As an encouraging, generous and academic instructor, I have been teaching classes and workshops at art centers, in-person and online for over ten years, including Winslow Online Art Center, Lighthouse Art Center and The Armory Art Center. Appreciating the opportunity to paint commissions, which includes dog portraits, my original paintings can be found in galleries, exhibits, plein air events and on my website at www.kathleendenis.com. My goal is to be the best artist I can be, while bringing joy to the viewer as they imagine being there. I treasure the gift given me, and when I paint, I feel the presence of God in my life.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

I hear so often from “non-creatives” how talented I am. The truth is I may have talent, which to me is identified by my never-ending desire to paint, but I work endlessly studying, practicing and often agonizing over becoming better at what I do. Like any skilled professional, one must work hard to accomplish their goals and it is no different as an artist. I believe if “non-creatives” understood this they would have more respect and appreciation for the “creative” and their craft. As an artist I love and enjoy what I do, but it comes at a price of sacrifice and commitment.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

While plein air painting I’m often asked how long it took to paint my scene. I usually reply with “3 hours plus 60 years”! If “society” could consider the time invested to gain the knowledge and experience needed to produce an excellent painting, they wouldn’t expect discounts and wonder why the cost is higher than they expected. Supporting ourselves as artists we have the same expenses as others and should be compensated for our profession as any other occupation. If only people could appreciate what it takes to produce a work of art such as choosing a scene, working out composition, choosing color harmony, paint application, brushstrokes, edges, cost of materials…and then there’s marketing, not to mention my health is at risk, yet I continue to paint because it is my calling. Please buy and appreciate original art!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.KathleenDenis.com
• Instagram: kathleen_denis_art
• Facebook: Kathleen R. Denis and Kathleen Denis Fine Art
• Youtube: Kathleen Denis @kathleendenis4785