Thursday, May 21, 2009


I’ve written several blogs about the painting classes I’ve taken at ARTichokes, the wonderful gallery and painting school in Leawood. I took my first class in November and have painted consistently since them, and must admit…having the time of my life! It is true that professional chefs are artists. Very often, their artistic talents can be expressed outside the kitchen also. I was in my 30s when I discovered after years of painting and sculpture, it was a plate of food I wanted to arrange into a work of art. Now, I’m in my mid 60s, creeping up on late 60s, and I’ve discovered it is time for me to leave the kitchen and spend my time at ARTichokes painting. I must be honest….I have just as many mistakes and failures in the painting studio as I have had in the kitchen. I have to work at being creative! But I am having a wonderful time!
Today I completed a 2 week class taught by Ada Koch, a wonderful painter and a great teacher. My first class at ARTichokes was taught by Ada, and she truly did make me want to paint again. She makes me not only look at my subject, but she makes me see it! It is amazing what I see now!
My next class was taught by Becky Pashia, the co-founder of ARTichokes. The woman is brilliant! She is walking talent and creativity! She has actually taught me a technique that I love, and I am going to continue using from now on. Becky’s own paintings are so exciting to me, and you can see them on display at ARTichokes everyday.
ARTichokes has “Open Studio” painting on Friday nights and Saturday afternoons. Very often, there is live music on Friday nights, and with a glass of wine and a vision of my next painting, I spend the evening with people who love art, music and wine! Friday nights are usually under the guidance of Kristin Goering, one of the cutest, bubbliest, fun painters you will ever meet! Kristin works in acrylics and is a print maker.
She is usually working on one of her paintings on Friday nights, but is always there to assist, to help, to answer any questions. And did I mention her great colors and eye for design?
I am thrilled that all three of these women are joining us at Somerset Ridge Vineyard and Winery’s Art in the Vines on June 13th. It should be a wonderful art fair in an absolute beautiful setting…AVineyard! The art work will be displayed among the vines! Please mark your calendar and plan on joining us in the vineyard for the afternoon! There are 16 artists that will be there with their paintings, sculpture, jewelry, stained glass, pastels and floral arrangements. There will be live music, food and face painting…and of course, Wine!
There are 4 of us participating in the art show that are students of ARTichokes. We will be showing our paintings for the first time! Talk about pressure! But, we are all excited about the opportunity, and I am sure it will be yet another learning experience for us! It is less than a month away and I have lots of work to do, not only in the painting studio, but at the computer spreading the word about the show. Please, come spend the day with us! Bring your friends, your kids, your Mom and Dad!

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy

Ponte Vecchio, Florence, Italy
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek

Somerset Autumn on Wea Creek
Oil Painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Floral

Floral
oil painting by Kay Tucker

Kansas Storm

Kansas Storm
oil painting by Kay Tucker, Private Collection

Watercolor Collage

Watercolor Collage

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time

Tempo al Tempo....All in Good Time
48"x36" sculptural painting by Kay Tucker