Artist Statement
For as long as I can remember, I have always felt the urge to create.
Painting gives me a voice to express emotions and impressions of my inner and outer world. Working abstractly provides a language for me that words can’t comprehend.
A sense of curiosity guides me as I paint intuitively and spontaneously.
Even when I approach a blank canvas with an idea in mind, inevitably an unknown force takes over and a painting emerges like a new friend waiting to make my acquaintance.
Sometimes painting can be a struggle, but on a good day, a breakthrough can give me a surge of freedom and excitement in the process that continues to fuel my work.
What is your medium of choice?
Acrylic, watercolor, and collage are my preferred media. My background in calligraphy has influenced the gestural mark making that often appears in my paintings.
What inspires your work?
The natural world is my most profound influence.
I live and work in the northeast, but also spend a good bit of time in the southwest. The colors of the desert, the stillness in the woods and the expansiveness of the ocean all fill my spirit and feed my creative soul.
What are some of your other interests?
Travel is a passion and fuels me with new inspiration. I love exploring new cities, tiny villages, the rolling countryside and wild, remote locations. With my trusty iPhone, I photograph street art and graffiti everywhere I go. It’s rawness and expressive qualities really get my creative juices flowing! Museums, galleries, shops and different cultures and environments all excite me and inspire my work.
I love to decorate, garden and create visually pleasing and comfortable surroundings. Above all, my love of family and home is what grounds me and gives me peace.
Have you had any teachers who have influenced your work?
I have been fortunate to study with: Josh Goldberg, Lisa Mishler, Kassem Amoudi and Val Rossman.
In addition, I’ve taken workshops with Nicholas Wilton, Jane Davies and Jenny Nelson.
Several of my calligraphic teachers have been: Yukimi Annand, Yves Leterme, Marina Soria and Mike Gold.
I am a member of the Wayne Art Center, Fleisher Art Memorial, and Woodmere Art Museum.
Bio
Contemporary abstract painter, Kathy Davis, has evolved as an artist through several career reinventions. In many ways, Davis’ paintings are the culmination of the years of training, experience and inspiration she accumulated as a teacher, a designer and a business owner.
In 1990, Davis started writing, illustrating and designing her own greeting cards. Kathy Davis Designs was born at a drawing table in the corner of her bedroom and grew into a lifestyle brand with 30 employees, dozens of licensees and numerous products ranging from stationery and calendars to home décor and fabric.
American Greetings acquired her company in 2019 and continues to market the greeting cards that made her namesake brand an enduring success nationwide. The sale of her business reinvigorated Davis’ passion for painting.
With a painting style that is non-representational in nature, she is exploring new ground with her love of color and calligraphic mark making. Davis’ paintings have been described as fresh, expressive, thought provoking and uplifting. There is both a sophistication and casualness that give her work wide appeal.
Davis’ work is held in many private collections in the U.S.
Davis is a founder of the non-profit Scatter Joy Center for the Arts, which celebrates Joy through Art, Living and Giving. SJCA was founded on the belief that Art Makes a Difference.
