Nature’s Edge | Culture | Summerville Journal Scene

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Nature’s Edge

Published Thursday, March 05, 2009 12:26 PM

By Helen K. Beacham
Summerville Journal Scene ®

Provided

This oil painting, entitled “Serenity Found” by Kathleen Wiley, is displayed at Short Cental Art Gallery.

The Nature paintings of Kathleen Wiley are being featured throughout March at Art Central Gallery in downtown Summerville.

Q: Kathy, where were you born and where else have you lived since then?

KW: I was born in Buffalo, NY and grew up in rural Western New York. I’ve lived in Pittsburgh (attended the Art Institute) and in Southern California (where my first husband was stationed for over a year). We then transferred to Jacksonville, NC where we lived for four years. During that time, we separated and I moved to Southeast Texas. There I married my current husband Todd Wiley and both of our daughters were born in Texas. We moved back to N.Y. ( to be closer to my family) till Todd brought our family here to South Carolina. We now are at home in sunny, warm Summerville, S.C.

Q: I know you love to paint horses, among other nature scenes. How’d you fall in love with horses?

KW: When I was 13 years old, my family became involved in the horse world and we soon found ourselves spending more and more time at the stables where we boarded our many horses and ponies. My parents thought it would be less expensive for us to own a horse barn, so they bought a horse farm in Middleport, N.Y!

Q: What types of animals did you have and did you have any favorites?

KW: We had mostly Quarter Horses, but we also had Arabians, Paints and a couple of ponies. We had dogs and several barn cats. White tailed deer, wild turkeys, raccoons, foxes, coyotes and red tailed hawks were common sights on our property. My favorite pets were my bay Quarter Horse mare Debbie, Doberman Baron and mixed bred dog Captain.

Q: Tell me about being a child and did you know you were an artist? Does it run in the family?

KW: My mother is an artist and growing up I always had access to paints and other art materials. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be an artist. Artistic ability is a gift possessed by just about every member of my family. My sister has an art restoration business in N.Y. and paints in oils. My mother lives in Florida and is painting almost every day in oils and watercolor.

Q: Have you ever done a collaboration or show with them?

KW: I’ve never had a joint show with any family members BUT we have talked about the idea of having a family gallery. My daughter has said that she would like to open a store with me. I’d love to have that opportunity.

Q: I know you focus on wildlife, but you also do other things. What types of other things? Which do you prefer painting and why?

KW: I consider myself a nature artist foremost. I have lived from coast to coast and in between (traveled to most of the rest of the U.S. and Canada) and no matter what the terrain, or whether it’s city or country, I find myself surrounded by nature. Wildlife is certainly a large part of nature, but so are landscapes, water, rural country scenes including barns, gardens, flowers and even weathered historic homes and buildings. I guess I prefer to paint subjects that I have made a personal connection with. There is a story behind every one of my paintings because each one is inspired by my travels and personal encounters. I have played with a clouded leopard cub, been pounced on by a black bear cub, witnessed wolf pups howling for the first time and have been chased by a moose! I have photographed (without the safety of a cage or fence) grizzly bear, black bear, wolves, mountain lions, bobcats, an African lion and a tiger. I have been in the cages with animals such as red pandas, maned wolves and more. I have so many stories to paint – more than a lifetime’s worth!

Q: When you lived in N.Y., I know you held “open studio” tours at your house. What did you find fascinating or interesting about holding them?

KW: I wanted to host an annual open studio tour in my home to thank the people who supported my career. It is my favorite thing to do as it gives me the chance to connect on a more personal basis with people who enjoy my work. For art enthusiasts, I humbly believe there is a fascination surrounding an artist. People want to know how we create our work, what inspires us and what our working studios are like. I have also discovered that people enjoying seeing an artist’s home... their home is usually an extension of their artistic talents. My family enjoys preparing for an open house by cooking and baking all sorts of delicious treats. At my open houses, I typically have many works in progress, which enables visitors to purchase before work is made available to the public. I’m looking forward to participating in Art Central Gallery’s first annual Open Studio Tour on April 18 this year.

Q: Do you have old collectors that still buy your work today?

KW: I have many collectors across the country who have purchased multiple paintings from me. A lot of them have become very dear friends and continue to support my artwork and keep in touch on a regular basis.

Q: Do you think wildlife can be used in a typical traditional home? Does it mix with non-wildlife art?

KW: Yes!!!!!! Most people that have collected several of my paintings never owned a wildlife painting before acquiring one of mine. People purchase art because they feel an emotional connection to a piece. I remember one art collector who owned a variety of art in his home. His home was like a gallery with bronze sculptures, raku pottery and abstract art. His first purchase from me was a mountain goat sleeping on rocks. The painting was bathed in warm, late day sunlight, conveying a very tranquil mood. It was hung in the master bedroom over the head of the bed. The collector wasn’t buying a painting of a goat…he bought the tranquility and calmness that the piece made him feel. I truly believe that “nature art” touches people on an almost spiritual level that everyone can relate to. You can tastefully display a variety of subjects and styles of art in a home.

Q: How long would a typical wildlife painting, measuring 18 x 24, take you to finish?

KW: It typically takes me two months to complete it.

Q: What is your personal website and blogspot?

KW: My blogspot is www.kathleenwiley.com. I try to update the blog on a weekly basis and I also post “daily” paintings, which are small paintings offered for sale on e-bay auction. And I’d like to leave you with my favorite quote (by Edgar Allen Poe): “Art: The reproduction of what the senses perceive in Nature, through the veil of the soul”

To see more of Kathleen Wiley’s art, visit Art Central Gallery, 130 (Short) Central Ave., Summerville, SC. (843-871-0297). Or visit www.artcgalleryltd.com for information about the Gallery’s 2009 Open Studio Tour, directions, or other 2009 gallery events including Art Walks starting on March 19.

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