Kathie Neal
I was the first born child of seventeen children born to Arthur and Georgene Evans in Chicago, Illinois. Toys were tire swings hung in the old tree out back, large boxes that became fortresses, stages, and sailing ships, and of course, pencils, crayons and, my first work of art, done in red lipstick on my Grandmother’s prize Chenille Bedspread. I drew on anything, with anything, walls, books, and my chalkboard.
I loved to draw, to sing (very badly!) and to dance. I read the book “Benjamin West and His Cat Grimalkin” when I was around seven. Benjamin West was called the “Father of American Art”. He used hairs from his cat’s tail for paint brushes (Great idea! thought I), and learned to mix pigment from the Native American Indians. I wanted to be just like him. Yes, my mind was made up. I would be an artist!
My favorite Aunt, Crystal Skelley made her living as an Oil Painter and her paintings were displayed all over the United States and Canada. She live off her royalties from her work until she died at eighty.
She was my mentor. I first studied Oil painting with her and learned much. I began to show and sell my work. Always I would experiment and want to try new things. I worked in pastels, inks, pencils and lastly, watercolor and acrylic. I was in love with painting.
I returned to college and after studying with a master of Watercolor, I was hooked on the excitement and unpredictability of the medium. I joined numerous artist guilds and eventually I quit my day job to sell paintings and to teach my craft. I love teaching nearly as much as painting. I view the world with a sense of wonder and awe, ever thrilled by the Master Creator’s wondrous works of nature, painted sunrises, thunderous waterfalls, and of course ….people.
I am privileged today to teach several classes in Watercolor a week, and to serve as President of Contemporary Watercolorist of Arizona.
I have been awarded with “Best of Show” at the Motherlode Gallery in Carefree, and have been rewarded by seeing Those I have taught win awards as well.
My life is a joy. In my art I work out many things in life, trials, grief, joyfulness, love, and even fear, I am blessed with an enthusiastic spirit, insatiable curiosity, and the spontaneity of a child.
It’s all good.
