A native of Oklahoma, and daughter of Oklahoma's premiere saddler, W. W. Walker, Kathryn grew up watching her father "carve his art into sweet-smelling leather." He imparted to me a sense of spiritual values, while encouraging my pursuit of artistic goals".
Ms. Richardson attended Oklahoma State University on a Presidential Scholarship, then later studied with such notable portrait artists as Bettina Steinke, Harley Brown, Daniel Greene, Joanette and Cedric Egeli, Morgan Weistling, and others. In depth instruction
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ATHRYN
K
R
W
ALKER
ICHARDSON
Fine Art Portraits
includes Cape Cod School of Art in Massachusetts, Art Students' League in New York, and the Atelier Lack in Minnesota.
Richardson's portraits are generally in oil, but she is highly proficient with pastels as well and is a member not only of the Pastel Society of America but also Oklahoma's State Ambassador of the Portrait Society of America. Governor Keating nominated her as one of fifteen board members of the Oklahoma Art Council during his tenure. She is affiliated locally with the Oklahoma Art Guild.
An admirer of nineteenth century artists John Singer Sargent, Mary Cassatt, as well as Dutch masters Rembrandt and Hals, Kathryn employs various styles to bring out the desired mood and spirit of each painting. "Richardson is a sought after artist for her sensitive,soft and gentle portraits of people in their environments", wrote city columnist M.J. Vandeventer.
Artist's Statement
I believe the visual arts, like musical and literary classics, are capable of inspiring and uplifting the human spirit and soul. With this as my goal, I seek to paint compositions that represent the magnificence of this world--those things worth remembering. I am constantly blessed and challenged to work with and depict God's hightest creations in my field of expertise.
My career goal is to continue my professional development in the tradition and emulation of other great artist/instructors. But, my role is by necessity, that of the student as well as the teacher. As an art educator, I have developed classical art workshops for people from the ages of nine to senior citizens in the capitol city and outlying areas.
I think that a portrait must be a painting first. That is, it must stand on its own merits as a painting with regard to the forms that create its composition, and the technical strength of its execution. Although a likeness of the subject is an essential and necessary goal that must be achieved, it is never the sole objective of the work. It is that which is transcendent in the subject that I will search for and paint.
I have painted CEO's and VIP's (children), beauty queens and governors, retiring dean, posthumous works, and people of many ages and ethnicities.
I regard the commissioned portrait to be a collaboration between the client and myself. I am striving throughout the process to give reality to their vision, while proving that each new commission brings yet another adventure of discovery for me---------
Kathryn Walker Richardson
