Introducing Kathy Reed
Kathy has been an artist and educator for 40+ years in the Lafayette, Louisiana area.
She was raised in a military family, moving every two years until settling in
Louisiana. Kathy grew up in mainly urban environments, and didn’t have many
opportunities to discover her innate attraction to the plant world until graduating
from University of LA with a BFA in Fine Arts. What started as a small garden grew
into the source for her artistic ideas, and led to a love of Nature that fueled
explorations into the philosophical ideas that she continues to pursue.
She retired as a visual art teacher, having taught the visual art program for the
Lafayette Parish High School Arts Academy, and later, in the Lafayette Parish Talent
Program. She has strong ties to the local arts community, was gallery manager for
the late Artists’ Alliance and Galerie Lafayette, and has shown locally, regionally,
nationally, and internationally. She has taught numerous workshops and has been
the recipient of grants and awards for her artwork, as well as for her teaching
programs.
In addition to her individual artwork, she maintains a collaborative art practice with
her husband, Steven Breaux, creating artworks that reference a sense of place,
history, and cultural issues.
Artist Statement
My artwork seeks to reveal the insights and lessons learned through a conscious
connection that I have cultivated with my immediate natural surroundings. I am
engaging the nonmaterial aspects of these encounters through art-making. For me,
cultivating a garden and being present as I step outside teaches me things than I
cannot express in words. I have been gifted much more than just visual enjoyment
and things to eat from the garden and all the life in my yard. I sense energy, power,
compassion, wisdom, creativity, and interdependence from the plants, creatures,
and elements; I have been guided to practice patience, non-attachment, gratitude,
and attention to the fleeting moment. My artwork investigates these qualities, and
searches for ways to honor and communicate my small daily epiphanies.
I am influenced by my studies of alchemy, meditation, yoga, ritual, and Eastern art.
I work with multiple media, but my artwork is based on drawing, observation, and
working with color. Using fabric in my works has been an important part of my art
practice. Fabrics, particularly those that are re-purposed, carry memories that I am
sure are encoded in them. Since the earth is over-burdened in the production of
material “stuff”, I am trying to use what I already have on hand as much as possible
in my work.
Who makes up your art circle?
My art circle is populated by my husband, Steve, all my colleagues, and former
students, and the wisdom from many artists, both historical and contemporary, that
I read about. I am a long-standing member of Lafayette’s art community, and I have
made many connections with local artists and art organizations, and appreciate my
connections with our arts community.
How do you expand your art circle?
My art circle continues to expand as I participate in and attend projects and
exhibitions, such as the ProjectSpace residency at Basin. Participating in diverse
show venues, with artists from other locations can spread your ideas. I think that by
taking a chance and stepping out of your familiar “habitats” as an artist, you can
indeed expand and grow your circle.
What value do you see in having a creative community?
I think that a creative community enriches everyone who is fortunate enough to live
in it. When people are creative, they will not only make the whole community more
vibrant, beautiful, interesting, and fun to be in, but they can solve community-wide
problems that exist, with new solutions. For our community to thrive and to move
forward, we need to nurture and celebrate creativity and our creative individuals.
Thank you, Basin Arts, for doing your part.
How does your artistic approach contribute to your community?
I like to think that my teaching and work with young people for 25 + years has had a
direct and impactful contribution to the community. I have helped in the various
organizations and groups that I have worked with, to present contemporary art to
this area.
BUT I think that the greatest contribution any artist can make is to be an individual:
to have a personal vision, and to keep developing as an artist. Stagnation for the
sake of making “what sells” leads to stylistic conformity in an art community. I have
always been a fan of diversity and also of excellence in the production of art.
Exceptional individuals, who are unique as artists, contribute the most to our
community.
Our weekly Art Circle series profiles artists throughout the community and is sponsored in part by Lafayette Visitor Enterprise Fund managed by Lafayette Travel
