Kathleen Rietz, Artist
  • Home
  • Shop
    • Peonies & Roses Collection
    • The Enlightenment Collection
    • Impressionistic Floral Art
    • Abstract Art
    • Boxed Notecards
    • Gift Cards
    • Pillows
  • Courses
  • Workshops
  • About
  • Contact / FAQ
  • Portfolio
  • Blog

The Art Journey

4/7/2020

0 Comments

 
I thought I’d share with you a little about my background as an artist. The words “self taught” are thrown around a lot these days, and I just want to say that regardless of an artist’s educational background, we are all self taught. Art is not concrete like math or spelling. We can be taught important fundamentals and techniques in art, but we apply them in our own ways to our own way of creating art.
abstract paintings by Kathleen Rietz
I now paint what I feel and want to share with others.
While many students may leave art school with cookie cutter portfolios that look similar, once we spread our wings and find our style, our journeys can take us in so many different directions. I spent nearly 20 years in commercial art, working as a freelance illustrator and designer. Then, as I went the path as a children’s book illustrator of more than a dozen books, I began exploring fine art by drawing and painting still life in graphite and watercolor, and my style was very realistic and classical. It wasn’t until 2 years ago when I picked up a brush again after a 4 year hiatus (at a miserable job), that I began painting in an abstract style. And even now, my art is evolving and changing because I am always learning. I teach myself to observe nature — the way light affects color and value. I attempt to capture what I learn in my approach to each new painting. I couldn’t imagine still making the type of art I did back in the early 90s when I was fresh out of art school! There’s no creativity in repeating what you learned 30 years ago. I still apply fundamentals of composition, value, color theory, etc., but with the confidence to pave my path in whatever direction my heart desires.

You can sign up to receive news on my latest collections, sales and blog posts by subscribing to my newsletter here.
0 Comments

Do we still need the ARTS during this uncertain time?

4/3/2020

0 Comments

 
Kathleen Rietz Artist In Her StudioKathleen Rietz, artist in her studio located near Chicago, IL.
In the midst of all of the heaviness of news in the world, it’s easy to wonder whether the world still needs the arts. One of the first business closings in Chicago that I heard about was an historic dance company. Of course, there are many others and the list keeps growing, but it just shows how delicate of a balance it is for so many businesses to stay open. So what about art? Do we need art? 

We do. There is value in owning an original painting, drawing or print, seeing its texture and the nuances that are oftentimes lost in reproductions. For instance, I own several works of art by other artists that are oil/acrylic paint on canvas, and I can feel the texture with my fingertips and see how the varnish catches light to play up those textures. And if I turn over the paintings, I can see the artists’ inscriptions on the backsides. I can smell the faint scent of varnish. The art is “real” to me. There is nothing like it, and knowing I own the original, touched by the hands of the artist.

So we will always need the arts. Live performance dance is so much more engaging than video recordings. Original art is so much more engaging than reproductions. This is why people buy tickets to a ballet or spend a day in a museum — to engage with the art in a way they can’t from behind their mobile devices. 

My business is still open. I work my business every day. I still believe in the value of adding my own brand of beauty to the world, of creating art that is unique, uplifting, dimensional and original. I still plan to launch my next collection on Earth Day, April 22nd. I hope you'll join me. You can receive notifications by subscribing to my email newsletter.

0 Comments
    Kathleen Rietz Chicago Artist

    Author

    I'm a lifelong artist living just outside of Chicago. I love flowers, vintage finds, nature hikes and all things beautiful.


    ​Follow me on Instagram

    Archives

    February 2022
    January 2022
    September 2021
    March 2021
    September 2020
    July 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020

    Categories

    All
    Abstract Art
    All About Abstracts
    Art
    Art Classes
    Art Instruction
    Art Journey
    Art Video
    Artwork
    Coffee
    COVID 19
    COVID-19
    Creating
    Easter Eggs
    Flowers
    Food
    Friendship
    Home Decor
    Hope
    Kid-friendly Crafts
    Loosen Up And Find Joy In Your Art
    My Art Process
    Online Art Course
    Optimism
    Painting
    Peonies
    Peony
    The Emerging Collection

    RSS Feed

  • Home
  • Shop
    • Peonies & Roses Collection
    • The Enlightenment Collection
    • Impressionistic Floral Art
    • Abstract Art
    • Boxed Notecards
    • Gift Cards
    • Pillows
  • Courses
  • Workshops
  • About
  • Contact / FAQ
  • Portfolio
  • Blog