Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Spicer.
Hi Kathleen, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I have been a professional artist exhibiting in galleries and museums for about 40 years. A graduate of Parsons School of Design in New York, I resided in New York City until 2009, and then moved to the Philadelphia area, where I continued my practice making wall hung painted wood sculptures. In 2023 my husband and I decided to moved to South Carolina after visiting several different locations. We were drawn to the beauty, the weather and the nice people we encountered. Once we chose Conway, I immediately set up my new studio space in our new home. My work changed, partly due to our “downsized” home, but I continue to make cut out wood paintings using mostly birch plywood with layered oil paint. These paintings are a hybrid of painting and sculpture. I was fortunate to find a wonderful art community, some very good friends and 2 galleries to show my work. The William Miller Gallery is located at 702 8th Ave in North Myrtle Beach, and the Sunset River Gallery, located10283 Beach Drive SW in Calabash, NC. I continue to draw inspiration from my new surroundings, the colors and shapes found in nature, the ocean, and the serenity of the warm weather, beauty and big open skies.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
As an artist, there are smooth roads and a lot of bumpy ones! First there is the challenge of always pushing beyond what you know, exploring new ideas, making work that has it’s own success and failures. The challenges are self imposed. I do not like to stay only in a comfort zone, there is always something ahead the needs to be created.
And there are ups and downs as far as applications for shows, galleries, grants and more, many of which result in a rejection. In order to be an artist, you cannot be thin skinned – one curator may think you are a fantastic and another just doesn’t get you.
Success can’t always be counted in dollars. In order to succeed as an artist you just keep on creating, find new inspiration and new places to exhibit your work. It is a career that never ends and never stands still.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I make unique cut out paintings using birch plywood and layers of oil paint. These paintings sort of defy category as they are a hybrid of painting and sculpture. The work is semi abstract with reference to nature. It is very rhythmic and has a lot of energy.
I have been fortunate to show in galleries nationally and some internationally. I have completed 7 public art commissions and have won numerous awards.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Artists always have mentors and other artists that inspire them. I could list so many!
Although my work is abstract, I admire all kinds of art – landscape, realism, mixed media, sculpture, and much much more. When I lived in New York I was fortunate to live among so many great artists, like my late husband Charles Searles, Al Loving, Elizabeth Murray, David Hammonds, Keith Haring, and so many more.
Having the support of an art community, galleries and, very importantly, COLLECTORS helps me to not just continue to create, but to thrive.
Pricing:
- Ranging from 300 to 5000 depending on size
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kathleenspicer.com
- Instagram: Kathleenspicer65
