Kathy Birdwell – Yakima Valley Artists Association

Artist Statement

My first attempt at painting came at 3 years old when my mother put a small canvas board in front of me along with two tubes of her well-worn Grumbacher oils, and directed me to ‘paint an apple’, which I did. No other medium in art has brought me the same satisfaction that oil paints do. I studied Art at Yakima Valley College and Graphic Design at Central Washington University but after college I found few jobs in Yakima in the field. Over the years I worked in various business environments and finally found my niche in funeral service which I loved and served for many years.

After leaving college, I did not pick up paints and a brush for more than 40 years. Since retiring in 2020, painting has become the prime focus of much of my time and energy. It is the activity that calms my brain, entertains my thoughts, and offers social contact – meeting and talking with such a variety of people along the way.

I am especially drawn to sunlight—particularly depicting its effect on almost any scene or subject. The central Washington steppe, dry hills, and contrasting waterways are my favorite subjects.