Artwork of Kathy Kovala

Passionate and Nurturing Teaching of Innovative Artwork

About Me

Phone: 218-829-1457

Fax: 218-829-1457

Cell: 715-360-9929

E-mail: Punkin@KathyKovala.com

October 11th, 2007
Kathy has been awarded a One Thousand dollar grant by The Five Wings Art Council to help facilitate the startup of a watercolor book featuring tropical flowers. This is a venture that we will keep you posted on as we progress toward the goal of publishing!

 

PRESS RELEASE – October 18, 2006

Area artist and instructor, Kathy Kovala, a recent transplant to Nisswa, MN, from Rhinelander, WI, has just returned from a week long stay in Big Sky, Montana. Kathy and her husband were hosted by the prestigious Yellowstone Club, the world’s only private ski and golf community, who recently commissioned Kathy to paint watercolor renditions of select buildings and landscapes within the Club. 

Kathy was escorted around the 14,600 acres of private property - from the Tom Weiskopf designed golf course - to the top of their 9,860 foot Pioneer Mountain. During her stay, Kathy worked on gathering photos to paint from and spoke with personnel to get an overall feel of the atmosphere at the exclusive Club.  While there, Kathy completed a painting of the Warren Miller Lodge, Yellowstone Club’s base area lodge. The painting will debut this winter and was accepted for use as Yellowstone Club’s 2006 holiday card. Ideas for additional paintings for use as greeting cards as well as gift shop sales were also determined during Kathy’s stay. Before the 2007 spring and summer season, Kathy will be creating a series of watercolor paintings depicting YC summer activities and buildings.

The Kovala’s have been perennial visitors to Big Sky, where her family spends time trout fishing and enjoying the mountains. Kathy has been selling her own watercolor versions of Big Sky attractions on greeting cards in five different gift shops in the valley. To view Kathy’s online gallery and current class listings, go to www.kathykovala.com.  For more information about the Yellowstone Club, visit www.yellowstoneclub.com.

 

“Her paintings are beautiful, sparkling with glowing light. Lush flowers bloom in vibrant tropical shades of scarlet, hot pinks, and orange. Landscapes beckon the viewer to explore visually. Yet it is in sharing the techniques that produced these watercolors that Kathy Kovala finds her greatest satisfaction.”  —Her Voice magazine, Winter 2005

ARTICLE ABOUT KATHY KOVALA
I feel particularly honored to have recently been interviewed by Judy
Kuusisto, Art Editor of the quarterly women's feature magazine called "Her Voice".  You can obtain a copy of this specialty magazine by contacting The Brainerd Daily Dispatch (the publishers).  It contains an recent interview on ways art has influenced my life, personal insights on how my artwork has evolved, and my zeal for spreading the wonders of watercolor to as many as I can reach!

I have taken Watercolor classes from some of the top instructors in the U.S. including: 7 workshops with Nita Engle, and classes with Diane Maxey Arleta Pech, Catherine Wilson Smith, Tom Francesconi, Karlyn Holman, Louise Lundin, Bridget Austin, Claudia Nice, Frank Webb, and more!

Fun facts:

Born: Ishpeming, Michigan
Husband: Charles J. Kovala
Children: Wendy, Bridget, Janice, Steven and Michael
Business Owner: Finnishing Touches Gallery & Creative Studio—14 years
Instructor—Nicolet College—1968-1993
St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary—1980-85
Board of Directors—American Cancer Society—1980-87
Rhinelander Country Club Ladies—President—1983
1st Place Award, Wisc State Rosemaling Exhibit—1984, 85,86
Northwoods Community Concert Assn.—President—1984-87
Rhinelander Area Recreation & Convention Center—1990
Northern Decorative Artists—Peoples Choice Award
National Tole and Decorative Society Member
Midwest Watercolor Society Member
“Who’s Who in America” - Member
“Who’s Who in America” - Educator Member
Judge for numerous Art Exhibitions

Represented at these Galleries:
Ship Store Galleries—Kauai, Hawaii
Katie Gingrass Galleries—Milwaukee, WI
Eight Bells Gallery—Kapaa, Kauai (www.8bells.net)
Wiamea Cottage's Gallery West
The Stable—Maddens Resort

Kathy is an innovative, creative, and nurturing teacher.
She is versatile and tries painting new subjects and styles.
She gives individual treatment in a class of many.
She throws paint, “rocks and rolls”, and is passionate about
watercolor.


What others  have said:

             I credit Kathy and Finnishing Touches as the “birthplace” of my career in watercolor. I took my first class in sweatshirt painting using a watercolor technique and fell in love with the medium. I now paint and sell my original watercolors in Milwaukee and the surrounding areas, and my hobby has grown into a rewarding career. Thanks so much Kathy for all you have done for me!
             Bea Willing—Racine, Wisconsin

Dear Kathy,
             I feel very fortunate that I am able to participate in the watercolor classes you are offering. Not only are you a lady of many artistic talents, but you have the ability to teach something not everyone is capable of doing. Your passion and zest for watercolor permeates through the studio!
             Thanks for sharing your watercolor techniques with others! Your classes are fun and therapeutic for me. I’m grateful for getting to know you better!
             Sincerely, Kate Herrmann

             I’ve seen many professional watercolorists teach classes on how THEY paint, but I would never have become a painter without Kathy Kovala’s guidance on overcoming my inner demons. She has taught me that there are no mistakes, just paintings that aren’t finished yet.
             Linnaea Rose Newman

To contact me:

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Website and Photography by Kalin Kauppila—www.KalinKauppila.com