Welcome to the Christeen Snavely Art Gallery
Located on the second floor.
Patty Huges Art Show, Now Showing until 12 March 2012
TALKING WITH :
PATTY HUGHES
ARTIST
Should you have asked me 50 years ago
if I would be painting on canvas I would have said you were out of your mind.
Of course, I would have done so in a polite manner.
Christeen was an avid collector of history and genealogy and in her
latter years was well-known for her watercolor paintings and pencil
sketches of historic sites.
As a student at Marrowbone High School
in Cumberland County, we had little opportunity for many elective classes.
Home Economics, Shop and Chorus were all that was offered and therefore I
had no idea that art would be anywhere in my repertoire of interests.
My father and his mother, "Mama Kitty", were both very artistic, however,
it just never occurred to me that I could ever begin to draw or paint.
I liked to do "crafty" things, but in those days they weren't considered
art.
I majored in Home Economics at Western Kentucky University
in the early 60's. I taught Home Ec. one year and found it was not my "cup of tea". As a teacher
in the 60's one could teach outside their field with a teaching certificate and therefore I taught
various subjects but somehow always managed to incorporate art into it. In English we made puppets
to illustrate characters and perform puppet shows. In Science my class built volcanoes, geological
landscapes, solar systems and collages of machines. Through these projects, and encouragement from
friends, I took a Community Education class in oil painting in Burkesville.
One oil painting class truly changed my life.
I would have never guessed that one Community Education Class could change how I see
everything. I began taking art classes at Western in the summers, then added drawing
class and basic design. Later, much later, I took painting classes. I really like
trying new techniques and copying various styles of famous painters. You can add your
own twist to the style or even mix two or three styles together in one painting.
Now that I teach Community Education classes,
I like to teach the different techniques and styles and encourage the students to find
one or more that suits their personality, one that lets them feel a freedom to truly
enjoy painting. It would be great if everyone who has the desire to paint would give
themselves the opportunity to at least try once. It is almost as satisfying for me to
see a students "light bulb" expression when it clicks, as it is for me to experience
the completion of one of my own paintings.
A Trip Back in Time!
South Central Kentucky Cultural Center
Monday - Friday 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
South Central Kentucky Cultural Center
website developed and maintained by webmaster: nahm
*copyright 2012*
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