Artist Bio.

artist kitty king

This is the section in any artist's web portfolio where the artist gets someone else to write up the biography of who that artist is, and touch upon such topics as where the artist grew up, early influences, how the artist got started as an artist and accomplishments such as shows and awards the artist has received. It is meant to be objective. The bio is different from something called an "artist's statement", which is usually designated to another location on the website. Alternatively, that is where the artist presents his or her own personal view about art, their choices in media and their personal views on things. Here I will attempt to do both of those things myself as I am not so fancy or famous....yet.

I am a self-taught artist originally from the quiet countryside outside of Lodi, California which is well known for its sprawling grape vineyards and dairy farms. Raised on a small farm myself, surrounded by animals and nature, I was inspired to become an adamant animal lover. I spent nearly my entire childhood outdoors playing in the corn fields, pastures, and grape vineyards that surrounded our house as well as playing hide and seek with my younger sister in among the giant forest of eucalyptus trees my dad and I hand planted when I was just barely old enough to follow him around the yard with my little red wagon. This was the perfect environment in which to caused grow my passion for the natural world. My childhood home had dozens of cats and several dogs. There were goats, chickens, horses, ducks, rabbits and cows. And that is just to list a few of the common farm animals I interacted with on a daily basis. Beyond that my curiosity and skill for being quiet allowed me to also observe many other little creatures that often come to inhabit many country farms.

I started drawing with the same materials all children are given; crayons, pens and pencils but soon I developed a talent for black and white pencil drawings. As a teenager I used to watch Bob Ross' "Joy of Painting" that would come on Saturday afternoons which inspired me to actually begin painting. As oils were too expensive I learned to paint with acrylics. Only in recent years did I begin experimenting with other media such as watercolor and pen and Ink.

About My Pet Portraits

In my pet portraits, I express my joy in both the love of painting and my love of animals by capturing a very special essence, unique to each animal. Our pets give us unconditional love and I am proud to have found a way to honor and commemorate them. I find painting house pets a particular joy, especially capturing candid moments in time, in a cherished pet's life. I work primarily from photographs where subjects are often painted at play, exploring, or resting. The bond between the pet and owner and the profound love many people have for their pets truly inspires me. The paintings not only achieve a great likeness, they capture the personality and spirit.

About My Wild Life Portraits

In my wildlife paintings, I explore the beauty of nature with an emphasis on ...
As a youngster, exploring the world in my backyard was a daily adventure, always finding a new treasure to look over and study. I have never lost the intrigue of daily exploration and discovery. I look for the special, transitory and magical moments in nature that appear with the right lighting, color and atmospheric conditions.

My goal as a wildlife artist is to capture for my audience through realistic detail not only the physical authenticity of my subject in its surroundings, but also its essence -- that which truly inspires me.  I hope you enjoy my portraits, painted or carved, as much as I have enjoyed observing and working with these fascinating creatures.

About the Materials I use

I work mainly in acrylic and have developed a technique of using multiple layers of acrylic washes. This adds depth and realism to my paintings that cannot be achieved by using the paints straight from the bottle. I enjoy watching the spirit of the animal come slowly alive before my eyes as I lay each new layer down. It's almost as if the paintings talk to me, telling me where to lay the next layer. It touches a deep part of my soul.
I have this same spiritual bonding with my artwork while using graphite pencil. I start with a blank piece of paper and slowly pull the subject out of proverbial ether of imagination. With each touch of the eraser or smudge stick, the bond grows stronger and the artwork speaks to my soul louder and louder. It's at these moments that I am truly at peace and harmony with myself and my world.
To be able to share these moments with others through my artwork is very rewarding. I am no longer lost and, day by day, continue to fill my life with purpose through my artwork.