What she does: Katherine Houston used to specialize in stocks, bonds and commodities, but today she prefers acrylic and glass. The former investment broker became a full-time artist once her son got old enough to allow her more free time. Houston explains that she isn't trying to be edgy and she doesn't have a special message about the times. Instead, she paints what she assumes is beautiful. "I try to convey a sense of beauty and peace through my art," she says. Houston does reverse-painting: paint is applied to the back of glass panes so that the actual painting is viewed through the glass. It's technique that makes her paintings almost glow.
Houston has also teamed up with SEARCH Homeless Services and other local artists to give art classes to homeless children at the House of Tiny Treasures.
What inspires her? The time Houston has spent with homeless children has had a big impact on her. She's noticed how easy it is for them to express themselves through art and feels they offer a lot to learn from. "They're not inhibited the way I am when I paint. Their art is just free flowing, it's very touching," she says. Houston is also inspired by an unlimited amount work from local artists to the masters. Though she is drawn to Van Gogh and Picasso, she feels she is able to take a little bit from everything she sees. "I can't say there is one that influences me more than any other," she says.
Why she likes it: Houston took up painting because she wanted an outlet for creativity and expression. After 15 years of studying, taking art classes, and expanding her craft, Houston is seeing a lot of success come from her hard work. "I've been really fortunate," she says. "There are a lot of incredible artists out there, and to be able to sell your work at all is very rewarding." As to why she enjoys making reverse-paintings, Houston succinctly explains "I love glass and I love painting. I found a way to combine the two."
Her proudest moment: "I'm a mom, so my son's birth is always my proudest moment," she says with a laugh. Art-wise, it was when she sold her first painting. "Just knowing that someone saw something in my work that they were willing to take it and hang it on their wall, it was kind of exhilarating," Houston says.
If not here, where? Houston can't think of a specific place other than where she is right now, but she does like being near the water. "I tend to be inspired by the ocean," she says.
What's next? Houston just wants to continue making her art. "I want to explore some new ideas working with glass and keep working and getting better at what I do," she says.
A final word: "Everyone should take a little bit of time to have art in their lives and appreciate the beauty of it, whether it's through collecting, painting, or going to a museum," Houston says.
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Christopher Olivier, visual artist Dennis Lee Harper, sculptor David A. Brown, photographer Rachel Harmeyer, visual artist Kia Neill, installation artist Stacy Davidson, filmmaker Jennifer Wood, choreographer GONZO247 Kevin DeVil, filmmaker Kerry Beyer, photographer and filmmaker Robert Ellis, musician Davie Graves, musician and visual artist Robert Hodge, multimedia Mary Magsamen, photo and video artist John Harvey, theater Bret Harmeyer, visual artist Joel Orr, puppet master Rodney Waters, photographer and pianist Jeremy Choate, lighting designer Chuck Ivy, visual artist Tra'Slaughter, visual artist Jen Chen - visual art, designer Howard Sherman - Painter Nancy Hendrick - Founder of Dance Salad Misha Penton - Opera Singer and Theater Artist Ben Tecumseh DeSoto - Photojournalist Tracy Robertson aka Batty - Goth Fashion Designer Tierney Malone - Creative Type Dolan Smith - Painter Jenny Schlief - Mixed-Media Artist David Eagleman - Writer Anna Sprage - Painter Philip Lehl - Actor Andy Noble - Choreographer David McGee - Painter
