We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathy Ann Russo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathy Ann below.

Kathy Ann, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had waited to pursue your creative career or do you wish you had started sooner?

I studied art in high school and college, but never morphed into a full-time professional artist. For although I have always been involved in creative pursuits – drawing, painting, floral design, photography… I considered myself a part time creative, showcasing my creations at craft shows, festivals, Facebook and in my Etsy Shop, while working at various full time jobs/careers.

Towards the end of my 17 years in the corporate world, I began to look forward to what I wanted my retirement to look like. It was time to get back to my creative roots and pursue the dream of creating full time. I joined a local non-profit art group as a way to meet other creatives in my area. Turns out they were in need of someone with good organizational and administrative skills which I had honed during those corporate years. I joined the board serving as co-chair for three whirlwind years. I learned so much during this time. Organizing and participating in art shows and studio tours, curating the webpage, marketing, participating in the jurying of new members… all while having the honor of being a part of a group of wonderfully talented creatives!

Each step in my journey has led me to here. I am now retired and enjoy exploring my current passion – full-time! Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing! Mixed Media allows me to incorporate all my many artistic interests, experiences and skills into exciting and original pieces. Whether immersing myself in the face emerging from a canvas, or having fun painting abstract flowers or creating embellished journals. I am learning more every day, never bored, and enjoying the journey!

Kathy Ann, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I live with my husband on a couple acres outside of Flagstaff, AZ, home of the largest Ponderosa pine forest in the world. It is a very eclectic area. You can be whoever you wish to be here! It’s a beautiful area full of inspiration with gorgeous sunsets against the glory of the San Francisco Peaks. It’s a quick drive down the hill to Sedona or Phoenix to the south and Lake Powell to the north.

My journey as a mixed media artist is ever evolving. From painting stylized faces, to oil and cold wax paintings, to my newest adventure in embellished journals, and everything in between!

Shadows & light, color & texture – these come together on the canvas to form a face. An individual with a definite purpose, a story to tell. Some more elusive than others, but all relentless in their pursuit of me. All asking for their story to be told. So, I paint. Their smiles, their tears, their joy, their serenity or their turmoil. Never quite sure where this mutual journey will lead to, but eager to go. Eager to tell their individual story.

The same way we get to know people layer by layer over time, that is how the subject of a painting reveals itself. Never exactly as it first appeared, but evolving into so much more. Much like a journalist or novelist tells a story through words, an artist strives to express the story with the line of a pencil, the stroke of the brush, a splash of color, the subtlety of design.

The story told in mixed media goes beyond the obvious, enhanced by layering collage, stamps, ephemera, pieces of jewelry, bits of ribbon or lace, anything that delights the eye. There may be a stamp with a quote that rings true, or handwritten thoughts on canvas hidden within layers of collage, acrylic, ink, watercolor or wax. If you look deeply, you will see the story unfold.

Oil & Cold Wax can be magical to work with. I love the fluidity of the medium. As an intuitive painter, I let the piece guide me. Constantly scraping back the top layer to discover the beauty beneath, or adding another layer, often changing the entire look and feel of the piece. It is always an adventure!

I currently enjoy creating embellished journals. I had enjoyed collaging on journals and notebooks for myself, as an expression of me at that moment in time. I hosted a pop up class on adding collage to a simple notebook for those that stopped by to visit during an Artists Studio Tour. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of sharing and helping others express themselves by creating a one of a kind journal.

Then I learned to make accordion books and made one for each of my grandchildren. That morphed into gifts for friends. I also took a mini class in book making from another local artist. Now I was really hooked!

One of my daughters asked me if I could create a lined journal for her that would be unique and one of a kind. Of course I said yes! I have a love of flowers, having been a florist at one time. I also had a dried floral design business back when that was all the rage. So when making that first embellished journal for my daughter, I added pressed flowers to the cover, accenting the design of the incredibly beautiful scrapbook papers I use.

So, I started my adventure creating journals by creating for my family. Each journal crafted with the individual in mind…their personality, their interests, their adventurous spirit. I wanted to create something they would want to keep forever.Now I am creating embellished lined journals for sale in my Etsy shop. For those looking for that one of a kind, special gift for that one if a kind, special person in your life…My embellished journals are as unique and individual as the people in your life. Not your ordinary, off the shelf journal…but a magical and inspiring journal each created with a special theme that runs throughout the book. Each with it’s uniquely beautiful style, is a joy to write in!

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Although it is much easier now with social media and all the online options not previously available, it can still be challenging to get noticed as an artist. The general public tends to be more aware of the current music and movie trends than art trends.

Local non-profit and for-profit artist co-ops and coalitions provide a wonderful opportunity for learning, networking, sales, and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Whether it’s the local large non-profit that hosts art galleries and shows along with music performances and classes, or the smaller community groups that support artists through classes, shows, studio tours and storefronts, both provide support, opportunities and enrich the artistic growth of the individual artist, while providing a way for the artist and art buyers to connect.

Any resources you can share with us that might be helpful to other creatives?

Artists today have many hats to wear. We not only create our art, and perhaps take classes to improve our art, but we also have to be savvy in marketing/promoting our art, photographing our art, packaging our art for shipping, and having the equipment for successfully showing at art shows & festivals.

Thankfully, there are lots of resources available. There are YouTube tutorials and online art classes for honing your craft. There are FB online art auctions and online sales platforms like Etsy, Zazzle, Redbubble, and more to help sell your art. There are non-profit art venues with storefronts either brick & mortar or virtual for more sales opportunities. It’s incredible, but can be a little overwhelming. Checking out the various options available within your own community will help you navigate and become a part of the local art scene and give you access to a wealth of knowledge and friendship. While exploring and comparing online resources will offer you many ways to pursue your own creative journey.

It’s a wonderful time to be an artist…the opportunities are endless, the support available is phenomenal and you get to experience the joy of creating!

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Wildflowers-Woods-184406411584164/

• Other:

  Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/WildflowersandWoods

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