Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kathleen House. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Kathleen, appreciate you sitting with us today. Maybe we can start with a topic that we care deeply about because it’s something we’ve found really sets folks apart and can make all the difference in whether someone reaches their goals. Self discipline seems to have an outsized impact on how someone’s life plays out and so we’d love to hear about how you developed yours?
I learned to be self disciplined when I was very young. My grandmother taught me to do what Ed to do. She always said YES to me. After observing some abuse in my next family when I was only seven years old and I decided that is not going to be my life. I have always done what I wanna do. If someone tried to attack me or control me, I just walked away. I learned from being a Girl Scout and earning badges that making a list and completing the list and earning a badge taught me to do this to accomplish my goals. I have always made a list of things I need to do. check them off and get things done that I want to do. If they’re not completed, I add it to the next list. I learned as a middle school and high school girl to help others I was in the Methodist Church and it was so fun to be a part of the choir and also to help others. When I went to church camp in Colorado, I was up on the mountain, reading a scripture by myself, and I realized the Holy Spirit was right there with me. I have also inspired other people by just listening and on occasion, putting out an idea that might help them move forward let go of what they feel insecure about. Being an artist and an art educator and an art business owner through my life has taught me to teach others to have self discipline. I like to help others do things the way they should to complete what they want to do I’ve expressed myself through many different media’s and series. Now that I’m painting a series about life in an abstract Expressionism way I enjoy when others see what they see and they tell me what they see. It makes me feel good if you’re having a problem with self-discipline just make your list complete what you think you should do , and you’ll be in a better place.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I always wanted to be an artist, however, all through school until I graduated my senior year in high school, there were no art classes. I was big into music and I loved it. However, when I went to college, I decided I was going to major in art. When I started my art major, I ended up in art education. I received My bachelors in art education at Kansas State University. I learned all kinds of media, watercolor, pastel, charcoal, ink, oil, jewelry, and more. I took some time off when I graduated to raise our two daughters. I volunteered to do things at that time for Girl Scouts and to teach here and there. Once our daughters got a little more independent. I was able to start substitute teaching in Hurst, Tx. We moved to Coppell. I started teaching elementary art classes in school at Coppell, Tx. After volunteering one year, I decided to write a proposal and a curriculum that would help teach correctly, and it worked out. I also owned an art businesses that were art related, mostly with education. The first one was with a new high school teacher and she did ceramics. She taught ceramics, and I taught drawing and painting. We ended up renting a large building that had little studios that we could rent out to artists. And I had my studio there. I was multitasking. I was teaching school, teaching art camps in our business and was inspired by a teacher at Northlake College to attend TWU in Denton to receive my masters in art education. My husband and I moved out of the suburbs on a few acres. It had an old horse barn that was on the property Once we bought the property we renovated the barn and it’s now my Red Barn Studio and Art Classes. My two daughters and I started a new business teaching art in Flower Mound,Tx. We expanded to five different locations in different towns around here. Once we sold the business after 12 years, I was able to get back to my barn studio. I’ve been a very active artist ever since. I host art teachers, and I also teach on occasion. I’m still an active artist, and now my work is all about life and is abstract expressionism, acrylic on canvas. Check me out at Khouseart.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
On my journey, I learned to reach out to others. When I taught young students, they would often ask me “Mrs. House do you really like my art, am I doing ok?” and I would say to them” Of course you are, just keep at it” After I retired from teaching public school, I had a lot of adults that wanted to learn art , but they were so insecure and scared to try art. I would tell them “ It’s ok. Let’s get started, you can do it” I was able to help them. That made me feel good if someone is early on their journey, they just need to step back, take a look, maybe keep a journal or make a list and just get started. We can always make a mistake but that’s how we learn to do better.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My grandmother was the first person to motivate me. She allowed me to paint things in the yard and draw with crayons on her front porch. She was always very positive with me. I also met a very dear friend when I went to stay with grandma in the summer. My friend and I created paper dolls. I also had really sweet, inspiring and motivating teachers all through school. They inspired me to do what I do. There is a series that I did called Dream Come True in 2020. It had to do with people in my life that taught me to overcome challenges and build essential skills. I’ve always been independent and positive. I think those are good things.
Contact Info:
- Website: Khouseart.com
- Instagram: Kathleenhouse
- Facebook: Kathleen House
