Kathryn Smithson

I started drawing as a teen and was encouraged by my high school teacher to think seriously about an art career. But my greatest supporter during this time was my mother, a very artistic personality herself.

I set my art aside, as many of us do, so that I could devote most of my time to rearing a family. My sons are now grown and a few years ago while visiting my sister in New England, I saw a lighthouse I loved and had to draw it. The inspiration of the lighthouse started my creative juices flowing again.

Returning home, Hocking Hills provided me with continued inspiration. I then took a seminar in watercolor pencil. Later I started to experiment with pastels in my weekly art classes with Cynthia. This introduction turned into a love of this medium. With the encouragement and support of my husband and sons, I now work in both color pencils and pastels.

In every new work I see improvement and strive to perfect my skill in capturing the soft realism of landscapes and animals.