YourHub.com \\ Old Colorado City \\ Stories \\ Arts

A Small Gift Turns Into A Lifetime Treasure

e-mail to a friend | print this | link to this

Contributed by: sharon wolff on 12/2/2007

Colorado Springs - The dramatic oil paintings by Katherine McNeill may never have been created if an awe-struck acquaintance, who was deeply affected by her magical gift at first sight, had not offered to pay for her private art lessons. McNeill was naturally blessed with a special gift but life got in the way . . . temporarily.

Fortunately, she graciously accepted the generosity of this admirer of her work, although it would mean driving 150 miles from her Woodland Park home to Denver to study under Lloyd Thorsten. She credits Thorsten for helping her develop her distinctive technique and style more than 20 years ago.

The journey McNeill took to develop her talents would certainly have been harder without the aid of her benevolent friend because, at the time, she and her husband were already struggling with their own business and busy raising three children. It was less than a perfect time for launching a new career in the risky art world. Pursuing her art was not practical in spite of her persistent desire.

Following her brief training with Thorsten, life again managed to get in the way of her artistic efforts. Being a responsible adult, she took a paying job to help her family and her art was placed literally back in the closet -- but not for long. The company president where McNeill worked purchased a piece for the business and upon delivery was so impressed he commissioned eight pieces for his personal collection. Her paints and canvasses came out of the closet and stayed within reach of her gifted hands.

"I have many faith-related stories," says McNeill. "My work is a ministry. All the adversities in my life have had a positive end-result. God really wanted me to paint and showed me the way." She is a full time professional artist today exhibiting in some of the most prestigious galleries across the country and in Canada. A self-taught artist with the will to do what she was born to accomplish, she has developed a recognizable style that continues to evolve and capture the hearts of a growing audience.

Some may recognize a sort of spirituality in McNeill's oils and others quickly feel an immediate connection that take them on a journey through her light-filled natural settings, to the point one almost believes they are standing in the middle of her scene whether the outdoors towering with aspen trees, atop a majestic mountain, at the edge of a seascape, or breathing in the fragrance of one of her magnificent floral paintings.

The newest venue for Katherine McNeill's work is closer to her Castle Rock home. Now showing at Hunter-Wolff Gallery located in Old Colorado City, Owner Sharon Wolff has never witnessed such a positive response to a new artist in the gallery. Visitors are so taken by her work they seem to be drawn to her paintings like a magnet. McNeill's work has only been in the gallery two weeks and has turned into an overnight success. "It's so exciting to offer such an accomplished artist's work in Colorado Springs and to realize that the generosity of one individual so many years ago made it possible for us to share this amazing work. I would like to shake his hand and thank him for helping this wonderful talent develop for all of us to enjoy," says Wolff.

Hunter-Wolff Gallery is planning a spring Opening featuring Katherine McNeill and in the interim will display her available works at 2605 W. Colorado Avenue, Colorado Springs along with 30 other professional artists working in a range of mediums including oil and watercolor paintings, hand-blown glass, fine jewelry, pottery, furniture and other fine works of art.

[Report this as objectionable content.]

SUBMIT COMMENT

Rate the above story