"Colour, colour colour! I am [inspired] by pops of colour, and different colour combinations that I see in nature and everyday life." Kathy Ready

Life in Colour

Nov 3

Written By GoLive

Auckland-based artist Kathy Ready is part of our upcoming group show, *Life in Colour*.

We are thrilled to welcome abstract oil painter Kathy Ready for our upcoming group show, Life in Colour.

The show brings together more than 30 incredible artists from all over the country for a joyous celebration of vibrant colour.

Please register now to join us on Saturday 16 November from 1pm as we celebrate this superb show in the company of the amazing artists involved. Put your name down for this FREE event here, and pop your contact details on the mailing list to get early pre-sales access.

Kathy is an Auckland-based artist who studied in Perth. She has been exhibiting her work for nearly three decades, has been a finalist in New Zealand art awards including the New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award, and was commissioned by Hilton, Queenstown for site-specific work.

Her works are emotive, rich, and expressive - we are so excited to welcome her to Tyger.

Her work in Life in Colour is Ambience - an oil and pencil on canvas beauty.

Ahead of the show opening, Kathy told us about working intuitively, taking inspiration from nature's colours, and how she hopes people feel when they see her gorgeous work.

Where do you create your work?

"I have a cabin in the garden of my house which is my art studio."

How do you create your work?

"Sometimes I go into the studio knowing my starting point - a mood, hue or basic composition - other times I don't; I'll pick up a colour and everything flows from there."

"I always work intuitively, following the many twists and turns of the creative journey until reaching ‘that moment’, when I feel the painting is finished."

"I start by filling my canvases with broad brushstrokes, building each piece up with a multitude of layers - more often than not, working on a few paintings at a time so each one can dry before the next layer is applied. Subtle shades and contrasts are developed, finer details are defined and new hues are created, as the artwork unfolds to completion - colour always being the central element in my work."

Tell us about Ambience - your work in Life in Colour

"Ambience depicts a moody skyscape - beautiful, dynamic and brooding all at the same time."

What inspires you?

"Colour, colour colour! I am always taken by pops of colour, and different colour combinations that I see both in nature and in everyday life."

How do you hope people feel when they see your work?

"I want people to feel a positive emotive connection and uplifted in some way."

"A follower of my art recently wrote a comment on my artist Facebook page which actually sums up how I hope people to feel when they see my work quite succinctly: "I honestly always love seeing your paintings, Kathy. They are always so sensual and just really pleasurable to look at. I don't understand how they work and have this effect on me but they do; in fact every one makes me feel a bit like I'm getting a really nice and very welcome hug. I love the fact that they challenge and basically destroy all my personal theories and formulations about how to paint. And I'm delighted that your work is being recognised and that you have evolved something so unique and distinctive and also life enhancing."