Kathryn Thomas
by Linda Thompson
I am not a collector, nor a fan of art for art’s sake. But when I saw an article about Kathryn Thomas in a magazine, along with images of her work, there was something that resonated with me so much so that I attended her exhibition that week. I knew I would like her work, but I was not expecting what I found.
Upon entering her studio, I was surrounded by paintings that were colourful, layered, and seemed to reflect the sun, sea and sky in all their heart-breaking beauty. Yet these were not just paintings; these were emotive pieces that drew you in. They insisted you look, and the more you looked the more you saw. Movement around each painting revealed layers of colour and emotion. In fact, I found myself in tears at that first viewing (and in most subsequent viewings). Tears are not uncommon for many who attend her exhibitions. Kathryn’s work touches something deep; her work is visceral. She is inspired by nature, but that is only her starting point. What comes next are layers of energy that radiate from each canvas. Kathryn’s work is brilliant. It’s vibrant. Her pieces are spectacular. They must be viewed in person to appreciate their depth and complexity.
I was so moved at that first viewing, I had to come back again to take it all in. I decided I wanted this beauty in my life; purchasing my first Kathryn Thomas painting was like a rite of passage. Whenever a new exhibition is on the horizon, I find myself excited in ways I have not felt for years. Over time, I have purchased many of her works; each one affects me differently. There is no doubt that her paintings are what bring my home to life.
‘Silent conversation (with the sky)’: “It is impossible to do justice to this painting with mere words. It is a whisper that calls out to you. It rests quietly in the background until light shines upon it, whereby it unexpectedly reveals hidden depths of colour and movement. This painting is my spirit”.
‘Look at me’: “An explosion of warmth, colour and happiness. This painting simply glows with universal light. One cannot fail to feel joy in its presence”.
‘Consequence’: “A deep, rich exploration, with phenomenal use of colour. This painting takes me to the other side of the moon and fills my mind with infinite possibility”.
‘Shadowriser’: “This painting has evoked more spontaneous responses than any other painting we have. People stop and stare. They sometimes shed a tear, without understanding why. Everyone sees something different within its layers; sometimes a person, sometimes a ghost, sometimes just pure energy – ‘Shadowriser’ is a force of nature”.
‘Rockdust’: “Playful, explosive and fun. It hides in plain sight at the top of the stairs and seems to pull in everything around it. This painting could ‘live’ anywhere in our home and it would be just right (seen here with ‘Shadowriser’ in the foreground)”.
‘Blew to me’: “If I had to have a favourite, it would be this painting. It is both cool fire and hot ice. It is nebulous in design, but it is so much more than that. One cannot fail to respond; to feel the expanse of the universe within its frame.”
‘Presence’: “Peaceful, serene and just … beautiful. There is a touch of sadness within this painting for me; It is like taking a deep breath and just letting go. It is a painting to get lost in, to reflect with and to just ‘be’ with. A truly stunning landscape”.
‘I think I’ll be going now’: “This evoked an extreme reaction at first viewing, so much so that it was difficult to be in its presence. It is turbulent, it is wild. It has a sense of a deity contained within its power. Intense”.
‘Falling into the kiss’: “A beautiful, sweet, and loving painting. It summons up the aurora borealis and all things mystical. It surrounds you with a wash of the most glorious colours and is a truly meditative piece of work.”
‘For the first time for you’: “From the very first moment I encountered this work of art, I was lost in its depths. I could not take my eyes off it, yet I could not bear it either. It is everything at once – all of life and all of death. Pictures do not do this painting justice in any way. This is a multi-layered, visual and visceral masterpiece”.
‘Kaleidoscopic’ (also known in my house as “The One That Got Away”): “A fabulous riot of colour and energy, conjuring up the universe it all its psychedelic glory. I paused before purchasing it, wondering if its energy would be too much within my home. When I realised that I could not live without it, it was gone. Instead, I enjoy the limited-edition print, stunning in its own right”.