Q & A – Questions and Artists – Kathy Glasnap

The Peninsula Pulse has teamed up with the Door County Art League (DCAL) to reprint portions of interviews conducted by Randy Rasmussen, a DCAL Member-at-Large, with various artists from the league. Featured in this issue of the Pulse is an interview with painter Kathy Glasnap. To read the interviews in their entirety, to sign up for DCAL’s monthly newsletter or for more information visit http://www.doorcountyartleague.org.

“Blustery Mill” by Kathy Glasnap.

Randy Rasmussen (RR): Kathy you are a baby boomer. Where did you grow up?

Kathy Glasnap (KG): I grew up in Appleton and graduated from Xavier High School. I really enjoyed school and my grades were very good. I was a member of the National Honor Society. After graduation, I planned on applying for grants and scholarships, but my father wouldn’t sign for me. My dad lived through The Depression, and I think he valued having a job over an education. I worked after high school graduation at an office supply and art store for five years, working on my painting part-time. I now realize my father’s not signing was probably the best thing for my art career.

RR: Going to a college would have changed your painting style?

KG: Yes, and I think if my style had been changed I would not have had the success I experienced.

RR: Did you have any art training?

KG: In 1970 I had a workshop with Wynn Jones. He was a wonderful teacher. Other than that class I have learned on my own.

RR: How would you describe your painting style?

KG: I have difficulty describing how I paint…I enjoy painting buildings and landscapes.

RR: I would call it “enhanced realism.” I looked at all the paintings on your Web site, and I think you take a scene and make it more dramatic by using rich colors with great contrasts.

KG: I think that is a good description of what I try to do.

RR: After the five years of working at an office supply/art store, where did your art take you?

KG: I left Appleton in 1972 and moved to Milwaukee. I became a working artist and entered many juried art shows throughout the Midwest and Florida. The early seventies were a good time for art shows, and thankfully, people liked my work. Going to the art shows allowed me to get to know many of my fellow artists.

“Moonglow” by Kathy Glasnap.

RR: Tell me about “Fred” the cardinal I saw in most of your paintings.

KG: In 1989 I put a cardinal in a winter painting; I thought it fit the scene. In 1992 my work was on exhibition at the Wausau Fine Arts Festival in Wausau. A National Wildlife Federation show was in Wausau at the same time at the Leigh Yawkey Center. They were looking for bird paintings and couldn’t find what they wanted at the show. They came to the Wausau Fine Arts Festival “just looking” and they found “Fred.” Now “Fred” has become something I am known for. This has led to multiple commissions for what is now called The Pumpernickel Press Cards. I also work for the National Wildlife Federation.

RR: And what about your move to Door County?

KG: I came to Door County and thought it was a beautiful location and a place I would enjoy living and working. In 1992 I purchased my place, and it felt like home immediately. In 1995 I had plans drawn up for what is now my studio/gallery, and it is absolutely perfect.

RR: Kathy, do you think the art world has changed over the past 35 years?

KG: Yes, definitely. Art is a big business now. All the shows charge fees. I think I was in the “right place at the right time.” I still believe that good work is good work. Art patrons will always appreciate “excellence” in painting.

RR: Do you anticipate any changes in your work?

KG: Last year I started doing some work with acrylics. I work on different surfaces but now my favorite surface to paint on is watercolor board. In the past I experimented with more materials. I even used fiberglass paper. I sometimes use Fabriano paper, rough 300 pound. I am still learning…

Kathy Glasnap’s working studio/gallery is located in Fish Creek at 8873 County Road A. The Glasnap Gallery is open from May to October from 1 – 5 pm. Glasnap’s work can also be seen locally at Cottage Row Gallery in Fish Creek or on her Web site: http://www.glasnapgallery.com.

Randy Rasmussen’s work can be seen by visiting: http://www.penpap.com.