Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy Bremers.
Kathy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Watercolor painting is my passion, personally, and teaching weekly watercolor sessions. Mountain life, family, and my community are endless inspiration for me.
I moved to the Peak to Peak area in 1979, I raised a passel of kids, and have been fortunate to have the support of my beautiful community. It’s been a long story with many mountain tops and valleys traveled. I began my adventure with watercolor 20 years ago by joining a Nederland Senior women’s watercolor painting group. At the time, I needed to reestablish myself after big life changes. I found friendship, watercolor, and wise women in that group. The group opened a small gallery in Nederland; it was a fun three years. My artistic endeavors include 15 years working with the theater department at our local Middle/Sr High School, directing and costuming.
I am grateful that my artwork has been well received by my community and tourists who visit the Nederland area. Currently, my work is showing at The Red Wagon in Golden, CO, and 4 locations in Nederland, and Canyon Coffee in Coal Creek Canyon. I teach a weekly watercolor class, and sharing tips and techniques brings me joy!
Train Cars Coffee and Kava is a wonderful cafe in Nederland, where my artwork has been available for over 15 years. A place several of my children have worked at, where the owner and baristas are like family.
My husband and I enjoy being Mr and Mrs Claus in Nederland for the winter festivities, tree lighting, evening parade, and meet and greet at the Winter Holiday Market.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Life is challenging. Nederland and the greater community have many very talented artists in varied genres. I have been involved with several galleries in Nederland that were all very charming, some private, a couple of co-ops, but there was never a large enough audience to keep them in business.
My art income has always been supplemental, adding icing on the cake of life. Now, two years retired, I am thankful to have more time to focus on painting and marketing. I have a website in the works. I feel very fortunate that I have had many opportunities to share my artwork with a receptive audience in my own community. When what you love finds you, and you keep at it, the future is bright.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I paint mostly in watercolor, nature scenes, fauna and flora. My grandchildren are also a favorite inspiration. I tend to paint in series, groups of paintings that tell stories. There are a couple of series that have been very well received and will hopefully become children’s books.
The Musical Bear series has no doubt been favored with a close second by The Adventures of Moose and Rabbit.
The Musical Bears started when I was employed at Wild Bear Nature Center, and the director suggested a bear with a guitar as a fundraiser for the Center. The story keeps growing to include: Guitar Bear, Harmony Bear, Banjo and Bongo Boys, Blondie, Happy Hooper #’s 1 & 2, and The Three Amigos. They are having a hoedown on the mountain!
Moose and Rabbit’s adventures take place in a winter wonderland, meeting friends along the way, ending with Moose and Rabbit watching the full moon set over the snowy mountains.
Flowers, mountains, bear, moose, elk, deer, birds, birds, and birds find their way into my heart and onto my paper.
It delights me when I produce a piece of art that represents the connection I feel to my subject. It is a bonus when the viewer is drawn into connection through my painting. My work is somewhere between reality and whimsy with a playful childlike appeal. Those familiar with my work readily recognize my style. Ultimately, I hope my work inspires a deeper respect for nature and one another.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Watercolor is an exercise in ‘going with the flow’. As with life in general, you keep going, especially when it gets challenging! September 19th and 20th, I will be participating in the Peak to Peak Studio Tour in Nederland, CO. I invite your readers to drop by and say hello; I will have a gift for you! You can find me at The Train Cars Kava and Coffee that weekend.
Pricing:
- 8×10″ prints $45
- 8×10 framed originals $115
- Art Cards prints $5
Contact Info:
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KLBremers Rocky Mountain Inspired Art by K L Bremers
Image Credits
Kathy Bremers
