Bio
llinois native Kathleen Rietz had a love for art from a very young age, preferring painting and drawing to dolls and most everything else. In the late 80s, she attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago, deciding on a career path in commercial art. She spent 30 years freelancing as a designer and illustrator. In the early 2000’s, Kathleen taught art to children and adults through an adjunct program at Wheaton College in Wheaton, IL. This ignited her desire for teaching, and the belief that fine art fundamentals are the foundation of great art. In 2018, Kathleen left the world of commercial art in pursuit of painting. Her paintings soon sold internationally. She was a runner up in the 2019 Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau international wine label competition. Kathleen’s art has received 2 Silver Awards, 2 Bronze Awards and a Finalist Award in by Camelback Gallery in Scottsdale, AZ, and a Team Choice Award in the May 2023 4th Friday Art Event at Dole Mansion in Crystal Lake, IL. Her work has shown at 116 Gallery in St. Charles, IL, and Indie Art Park Gallery in Warrenville, IL. During the height of the pandemic in 2020, Kathleen heeded the call of many of her social media followers to teach online. Kathleen now teaches online art courses and workshops. She credits teaching others with making her a stronger artist. “For every course I create, I dive deep into practical application, which means I am constantly learning and growing in my knowledge of art.”
Statement
Art doesn’t have to be edgy, political or controversial. Art can just be beautiful. In my painting practice, I focus primarily on flowers because the beauty of flowers transcends barriers of language, politics and culture. Oftentimes when talking about my art, people will tell me what their favorite flower is and what memories are associated with those flowers for them. Their expression changes, and it’s at that moment I realize my art has transported them to a happier place in their minds. I create art to spread joy.
My preferred medium is acrylic paint because it dries quickly. Once I feel inspired to paint something, I like to work to get it on canvas before the moment changes and inspiration is lost. Many of my paintings are done alla prima. I use glazing liquid to keep my acrylic paints workable and transparent, which gives my paintings a dreamy, atmospheric look.
French Impressionists, such as Claude Monet, greatly influence my painting. I have little interest in getting caught up in the minutia of realism, but rather I hope to convey light, color and the feeling of my subjects using simple strokes and marks of paint. I oftentimes paint with a silicone wedge, palette knife or even my fingers in order to make painting a more tactile experience for me. My practice is all about capturing a feeling or emotion in my work and sharing that feeling with others.
.jpg)
.jpg)
