About Kathryn
For over 30 years my paintings have engaged the viewer with a power that is enigmatic and intriguing. These images conjure feelings of atmosphere, emotion, fleeting glimpses of natural beauty, energy and underlying power. It is this that keeps you coming back for more and seeing something new in each collection. I am privileged to use the best handmade oil paint in the world, by Michael Harding. The painting surface is Berge linen, imported from Belgium and the finest quality you can paint on. The stretcher bars are hand-crafted using kiln-dried tulipwood sourced from sustainable forestry, made in a London workshop.
“Kathryn’s ‘waves’ of colour are not abstractions, they are timeless records of the miraculous space in which we float” Jerry Hicks, RWA, MBE 1928 – 2014
The Paint
“Michael Harding makes the finest oil paint in the world. His Handmade Artists Quality Oil Colours contain no fillers or extenders and are a joy to paint with. As a new graduate in my first studio and struggling with student quality oil paint an artist friend introduced me to this wonderful world of pure colour.
I was able to develop my technique and to paint my ideas and my paintings began to live and breathe.
Michael promises his paint will have a profound effect on your work and for me it has, it enables me to create what I do and be who I am”
“Kathryn is a very talented artist. It is my ultimate goal, as an oil paint manufacturer, to see great people do great things with my paint.”
The Stretcher
For as long as I have been a professional artist I have used John Jones, in London.
As a reflection of our times they have now closed the business.
“The stretcher bars are hand-crafted using kiln dried tulipwood sourced from sustainable forestry. Tulipwood is a low-emission hardwood with very few knots. It is durable and strong, having a low tendency to split when nailed and is resistant to warping.
I use the large section profile with a 3/4” top beading added to the traditionally wedged stretcher. This gives a simple box like quality to the stretcher, with this added depth and solidity there is no need to frame the painting. This simplicity helps the painting become a window on your wall.
The painting surface is Berge linen, imported from Belgium and the finest quality you can paint on. The acrylic primer seals the surface so the oil paint simply glides on. When you look at the painting you won’t be distracted by the canvas weave, allowing the painting to almost hover in front of you.”
The Packaging
“The Stiffy bag has made the life of any artist who has discovered them simpler.
The bag is made from a durable metallic foil bubble wrap material with a strong plastic lining which prevents snagging. It is strong, light and fire resistant offering a high level of product protection. Adhesive tape can be used to seal the bags and simply removed without tearing the foil backing making it reusable.
Your bags can be made to measure and delivered to your door.”
The Easel
As a young artist starting out we do not always have the necessary tools to aid our creativity. I spent the first 5 years using my dad’s workmate as my easel, which was great as it was a Black and Decker deluxe model, so it had a step and I could easily reach the top of a large canvas. When I had proven I was serious about being an artist the easel was given to me. To date, it has at least 25 years worth of paint on it, marks and colours from everything I have created. It has been a constant in all six studios and has witnessed many a passionate scrape down and tear-filled rant. Throughout it has quietly held and supported the paintings and allowed the artist to work it out.