|
Katie Chichester Mester
Painter
Biography
Katie is a recent graduate of Central Michigan University. Graduating with Honors, she earned her degree with a double major in Fine Art and Communication. Katie now works from her home studio as a professional oil painter. She resides with her new husband in rural Clare County.
Katie’s artistic endeavors began at an early age. Being born with a natural drawing ability allowed her to easily recreate and represent images that were most intriguing to her. These images commonly included nature and its many fascinating phenomena. Also having an eager inclination to explore the great outdoors always gave her great excuse for study and reference of her artistic subjects. This artistic beginning is still reflected in her artwork today. Katie’s oil paintings depict many aspects of nature but mostly plant and animal subjects; many of which are domesticated species, however, new works are beginning to produce a more rugged appreciation. In illustration: the family farm has continually provided excellent resources and influence in her work but now Katie is looking toward the fields behind the barns, the craggy fence lines that mark property boundaries, or the occasional visitor to the chicken-coop. Katie’s work is now exhibiting untamed subjects and scenes of the beautiful natural world.
High school was the beginning of Katie’s serious consideration and appreciation for art. Continuing with her attendance at Central Michigan University, professors provided exciting instruction in applying new techniques and offered an essential education in the history of art. Katie has now come to find much of that research of both modern and historical artists to be extremely intriguing. She has developed a very high respect and adoration for the 17th Century Dutch and Flemish Painters and their awesome tranquil landscapes of countryside and domesticated life. While simultaneously, she is very impressed by the natural realists of the modern age such as Robert Bateman and Nancy Glazier who recreate wildlife in breathtaking scenes of implied light and texture.
With consistent efforts, Katie continues to grow in both her skill and concept. She enjoys her home and the endless supply of artistic subjects of which she is surrounded by.
“The possibilities seem endless with every walk I take.”
Artist Statement
“There is nothing more difficult for a truly creative painter than to paint a rose, because before he can do so he has first to forget all the roses that were ever painted.” -French painter Henri Matisse
As a professional painter, it is my fortunate inspiration to reinterpret the natural world that surrounds me. I continually strive for originality in the loved subject matter of nature and seek to reintroduce it to those who find peace in the same.
Having an eager inclination to explore the great outdoors gives me great excuse to study and investigate my artistic subjects. This knowledge provides valuable technical correctness; however, I do not allow my creativity to be blinded by precise representation. I, instead, focus on personal artistic interpretation. In utilizing oil paints, I appreciate a heavy stroke of color on a surface; I welcome a literal texture of the paint just as much as I do the implied texture of the subject.
There is much in this exhilarating world of nature that is deserving of an introspective second look. I find it to be a stimulating challenge to select those moments and recreate them with honesty in their possibility but still cherished in their rarity.
Artist Resume
Education:
CentralMichigan University, Mount Pleasant, Michigan May 2010
Bachelor of Applied Arts
Major - Art - Two Dimensional Concentration in Painting & Drawing
Major - Interpersonal and Public Communication - Concentration Interpersonal Communication
Exhibitions:
“Women With (A)rt Purpose” – Showcase Exhibition - ‘An Original Thank you’ January 2012
The 515 Gallery, Clare, MI
“Artists At Work” – Showcase Exhibition December 2011
The Magpie Gallery – Saginaw, MI
“HATS Off To The Arts” May 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011
Humane Animal Treatment Society – Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI
Mid Michigan Community College Solo Exhibition February 2011
Mid Michigan Community College - Harrison Campus – Harrison, MI
TraverseCity Art Center“Portrait Show” January 2011
Traverse CityArt Center – Traverse City, MI
TraverseCity Art Center“Functional & Eclectic Show” December 2010
Traverse CityArt Center – Traverse City, MI
D.A.D. GRAD: Department of Art and Design 2009-2010 Graduates Exhibition July 2010
UniversityArt Gallery, Central Michigan University- Mt. Pleasant, MI
Kirtland Wildlife Art Show June 2010
Kirtland Community College – Roscommon, MI
“Looking Out My Window – The Nature Paintings of Katie Chichester” Solo Exhibition March 2010
Art Reach on Broadway Gallery – Mt. Pleasant, MI
Northern Tradition – “Featured Artist” April 2009
Sponsored by the Mid Michigan Community College Foundation – Jays Sporting Goods, Clare, MI
Annual Juried CMU Student Art Exhibition February 2007, 2008
CentralMichigan University Art Gallery, Mount Pleasant, MI
Juried Shows:
InvitationalFine Art Shows located throughout the state of Michigan
2011
MidlandCenter For The Arts Holiday Art Fair - Midland, MI November
Great Lakes Art Fair - Novi, MI October
Common Grounds Birmingham StreetArt Fair - Birmingham, MI September
TraverseCity Wine & Art Festival - Traverse City, MI August
Sutton’s Bay Fine Art Festival - Sutton’s Bay, MI August
Art Center Traverse City Outdoor Art Show - Traverse City, MI July
Petoskey Art in the Park - Petoskey, MI July
Royal Oak Outdoor Art Fair - Royal Oak, MI July
Art Rapids! - Elk Rapids, MI June
ReedsLake Fine Art Festival - East Grand Rapids, MI June
East LansingArt Festival - East Lansing, MI May
Great Lakes Art Fair - Novi, MI April
2010
Art Center Traverse City Holiday Show – Traverse City, MI November
BayCity Riverside Festival - Bay City, MI June
East LansingArt Festival - East Lansing, MI May
Northern Tradition - “Preceding Artist”- Clare, MI April
Gallery Representation:
Art Reach on Broadway- Mt. Pleasant, MI September 2006 - Present
Gallery 22 – Sutton’s Bay, MI March 2011- Present
HeadwatersArt Gallery – Gaylord, MI May 2011 - Present
The Magpie Gallery - Saginaw, MI July 2011 - Present
Achievements & Awards:
TraverseCity Art Center“Portrait Show”- Honorable Mention January 2011
Kirtland Wildlife Art Show– Second Place June 2010
East LansingArt Festival- “Emerging Artist” May 2010
CentralMichigan UniversityHonors Program Graduate May 2010
CentralMichigan UniversityAcademic Honors Scholarship August 2006 –May 2010
CentralMichigan University Stephen Lawrence Barstow Scholarship March 2009
Helen Lucille Doherty Scholarship August 2006 – August 2007
Clare First Bank Scholarship August 2006
Clare Lyons Club Scholarship August 2006
Clare Rotary Club Scholarship August 2006
Clare High School Art Club Scholarship August 2006
Professional Experience:
Professional Artist January 2005 - Present
Develop and organize original artworks while concurrently marketing a growing professional
artistic image and engaging in public relations for show or gallery related business affairs
Copyright 2012 AuSable Artisan Village
|
