Katie Bliss

 

Currently residing and working in Spicewood Texas, outside of Austin.

 

As a preadolescent in the late 1960's an overpowering desire to create sparked an intense interest in art as a form of expression employing color and form.  Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse were the most inspiring.  Picasso's uninhibited use of color and unconventional materials for sculpture and Matisse with his bold colors, patterns and later use of paper cutout forms were the most influential.

 

Every art class offered during public education from 7th - 12th grades was used as an opportunity to further pursue this passion and discover personal style .  Higher education was not an intended path , but parental counsel and compromise resulted in application and acceptance to the University of Texas in Austin Art Department in order to  pursue  a BFA with a focus on fibers.

 

Extenuating circumstances including an unexpected pregnancy and lack of financial support led to the delay of  a formal education until the 1990's; finally receiving a BFA in Painting and Drawing from Texas State University.

 

As a mother of five children in a difficult marriage, works primarily reflected the home environment; family, chaos, pregnancy and general domestic dementia.

 

Moving through mid-life, work was sparse.  Surviving an abusive marriage, struggles as a single parent, and a new love and marriage that was lost to cancer resulted in periods where work came in floods followed by droughts, but mostly in the form of sketches and quick small pieces.

 

Currently entering old age, with all of the children grown and no husband, works are exploratory in nature; dealing with grief, aging, and a search for the self.  Recent retirement has liberated time for a renewed freedom of expression.

 

A new adventure begins!