Meet Kathleen Hope

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kathleen Hope. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kathleen below.

Kathleen, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

Not sure I like the word purpose, how about the word serenity because that is what art is to me. It gives me a quiet inner beautiful world to live in .
I did not find it until later in life. It is difficult to hold on to the hope of finding this “purpose” when life throws you a lot of curve balls. I have always had faith that I would find it, I think that was my strength, my perseverance.

As a child and even as a teenager I never thought I would be an artist. I was introduced to art by my mother who was a hobby watercolor painter. I always thought music was my calling in high school but after trying multiple instruments I knew it was not my gift.

In college I took an introductory class in art and I loved it. Told my business owner father I wanted to pursue a degree in art. He told me no and that I should think about another idea, so I graduated with a nutrition and fitness BA which I have never used.

When I was in my mid 30’s I took a class in Decorative painting or Faux Finishing, my instructor was from Berlin. He taught in his home and I will never forget the feeling of walking into his studio with wall to ceiling book on art and design. It was a room I never wanted to leave. The class was life changing for me. Painting was magical to me and I was fortunate to apprentice with my teacher for a year. I learned mostly staining and antiquing with Karl but his real gift to me was instilling his German discipline.

I then went on to start my own business in Faux finishes mostly in residential homes, I did that for a decade while I was taking workshops in fine art. I had some success at selling my art in Minneapolis but I knew if I wanted to pursue art full-time I had to move to the west. Minneapolis was never my home even though I lived most my life there. I knew I belonged out west.
I took a trip to Scottsdale, Az and I went to an art show called Celebration of fine art. This show has been going on for 30 plus years. There are 100 of artists that display their art for 10 weeks. Most of the artists make their living at that show.
I knew right away this was my home and my show, so I moved there and applied and got accepted. The rest is history, I have been a full-time artist for 15 years.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

My artistic career is my focus. I paint with cement on wood panel I show in 12 galleries across the US. I work with art consultants and interior designers and my art is in many residential and commercial properties.
my focus is mainly on abstract painting but I also do abstract figures as well. I also do commissions for outdoor spaces as well. Cement is about the only material that will hold up in harsh environments.
Cement is my choice of material because I can build up many thin layers of texture.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I have a diploma in Color Psychology and Physiological effects from the International association of color consultants in North America. IACCNA. My color training is concentrated on architecture and interior and exterior spaces.
This color training has been instrumental in my art career. People subconsciously are drawn to the emotional effects of color and pattern, because of my studies I am a better artist and color is my expertise.

I am a good business/sales person. I consider this equally as important as my creation in art.

I am very disciplined person and I like challenges and my medium is very unusual and very difficult to master

Advise: Try as many things as you can that interest you, read , take time for you… be a little selfish

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

They made me work when I was young so I developed a good work ethic
They didn’t give me much money or material things so I learned early on it was on me. I had to rely on myself for money, food and shelter.
They never believed in my ability to make a living in art. I had to find other mentors and opportunities on my own. For a long time I was disappointed that they didn’t support me but now I realize it was never their journey it was mine.

I think sometimes with parents it is what they didn’t do that sometimes makes us stronger

Contact Info:

• Website: https://kathleenhope.com
• Instagram: @kathleenhopeartist

Image Credits

Davin Lavikka photographer