ABOUT ME

Kathy Havens’ love of art began in her Montclair, NJ elementary school, where she showed an artistic aptitude. In the excellent schools in Montclair and Saturday classes at the Montclair Art Museum, she continued developing this talent. When she studied Occupational Therapy at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, her classes were in sciences and liberal arts, including art history and learning different art mediums. For 4 years in Philadelphia she attended painting classes at night at the wonderful free Samuel Fleischer Memorial Art School, mostly while she worked in rehabilitation medicine.

During these years, Kathy developed her love for the Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, Modern Art and Abstract Expressionist periods. For 40 years of her art career development and work, they have greatly influenced her artwork. One can see it in her use of different medium—mainly oils, pastels, encaustics and photography. Her style is known for strong composition, line and exciting, bold colors. She paints landscapes, still-lifes, figures, some abstracts and does photography.

Marriage, having 2 children and being transferred a few times interrupted her art studies. When her family finally settled in Chatham Twp., NJ. in 1981, she discovered the wonderful Center of Visual Arts of NJ, Summit, NJ. and has studied there, in all sorts of art classes, and

continues to grow artistically there. Among her excellent art instructors have been Irma Ostroff, Enrique Flores-Galbis, Anne Kullaf, Mark Saenger and Valerie Larko.

In 1987 and 1988, Kathy joined several local art associations—Drew Art Association, Millburn-Short Hills Arts Center (now known as the NJ Art Association)and was a charter member of Chatham Twp. Art League (1988), now called the Art League of the Chathams. Also, in 1987, she joined a group of 8 wonderfully talented local women artists, meeting and painting each week during the year. Thus, she embarked on an exciting professional art career. She is also a member of the Pastel Society of NJ and the So. Vermont Arts Center.

The artist has exhibited extensively with these groups for 30-plus years and has had many solo art shows in the NJ area, Vermont and Pa. She has traveled to distant destinations --Provence, France; Cuba; Santa Fe, NM and Colorado--for painting and photography workshops. In 1997 and 1998, she was part of 3 small group art shows in SOHO , NYC and a 2- person show in Barcelona, Spain. After year 2000, she was a member of a small women’s co-op gallery for 2 years in Highbridge, NJ followed by 2 years in a commercial gallery there.

Kathy has received many art awards, including the 50th anniversary special award of the Chatham Woman’s Club, Chatham, NJ; a blue ribbon of excellence at a Millburn/Short Hills Arts Center show (now called NJ Art Association) ; a Pastel Society of America study scholarship. In addition, she has won several woman’s club awards in district and state competitions.

Kathy has had many large solo art shows in local NJ venues, including the Chathams, Morristown Medical

Center, W. Caldwell Public Library and Frelinghuysen Arboretum. Her art never ends. She continues onward!

Artist Statement

Art has always been key in my life -- from childhood to the present. I have loved painting still-life, people and landscapes, especially creating my own interpretation with vivid colors and strong composition as integral components in my work. Landscapes have always been a large part of my body of artwork -- in pastel, oil and photography. Nature nurtures me and inspires me to create a lovely and special place for the viewer.

In my desire to create abstract works, I have found a unique medium called hot wax encaustics done on a hard block surface.

What moves me to create art?

It is exciting to me to accept the challenge of putting the subject on canvas or paper in a fresh way. My eye always focuses on the best composition, light and color, sometimes even altering the perspective. I am also inspired by and enjoy the artists in several of my art associations.