My Website is named Katnaj short for Kathy Najera. I have lived in the Eastern United States most of my life. I was born in Germany and was raised in my early childhood in Oklahoma. I was raised in the United States Air Force Military life and also resided in Florida as well as Maryland where I now reside.  I have a son in Law Enforcement who also lives in the East Coast.  I remember many things about Nature that have left impressions on me.  Most notably the Autumn Seasons as well as all 4 Seasons.  Florida left strong impressions on me especiaally in the Gulf where I remember clear waters, boating and fishing.  I remember a Chameleon at my feet changing from brown to green.  Nature has always been an important subject matter for me. I guess you could say it  was kind of a source of Peace for me.  Many things in Nature are difficult to capture on paper and canvas.  I believe that  most of this Website is about the best things that Nature can offer.

I have spent much of my time in the field of Art throughout my life.  I recognized that I had an interest in Art as early as grade school
and won an Honorable Mention award in an 8th grade Art competition. I continued my interest and talent in College however, I did not pursue a serious career in Art at the time because of changes in my life.  After marriage and raising my son and after pursuing a different career that was in the field of Dentistry, I realized that  Art was still a major interest of mine and was very important to me.  I got involved in Pastel and Acrylic painting although I continued practicing Dental Hygiene.  I studied Art on my own time and early on I was tutored by a couple who are renowned Artist.  At that time I became a member of The Maryland Pastel  Society where I exhibited my work. 
I have studied different mediums but
 paint mostly in Acrylic and soft Pastels.  I like the richness, and vibrancy  of Acrylic paint and also the water solubility and the quick drying time.  I also like the versatility of dry Pastel.  I have moved into different styles as I developed my creativity and interest.  I felt that I had a talent but it needed to be develop it and also to ponder my creativity.
Some of my influences in my styles are from Matisse, Van Gogh, Vermeer, and Ross.  Although many of my influences are reflected in my paintings, most are not intentional but are partly due to my studying of Art.
I tend to be focused on details with a tendency towards design.
I paint many subjects such as Still life, landscapes, Animal and Wildlife art.  I like to paint animals in their natural habitat as well as Zoo environments. 
Other subject matter that fascinate me are the Celestial bodies such as the Earth, Sun, Moon and stars and decided to involve them into my Artistry. There's a kind of mystery and wonder about them that I used this fascination to pursue them into my Art.

I studied the fundamentals of Drawing  and Design, light and shadow in College and am very inspired by how colors are effected by them.  In my classes we used various mediums such as pencil, charcoal, and paint. As I will mention in my overview of my Art, Design became more apparent in my later styles and I decided to pursue them.  Also, as part of an inclination towards Design I became involved in Jewelry making. This led to an interest in textural materials such as wooden and glass beads, etc.
My jewelry making is a creative outlet for designing and color usage.  Many materials are involved and also includes creative patterns as well as the wiring of the beads.   I don't sell  my Jewelry or Designs at this time but it is an inspiration for  Design and creative expression.

I have studied Drawing and Design at Prince George's Community College.  I studied  Oil painting at Montpelier Laurel Art Center and Watercolor at Howard Community College. I was tutored by Renowned Artist mostly with Pastel but it involved other subject matters such as Color, sunlight, and distance that pertain to other mediums as well.  They were a big influence in my development then and also my current  Artwork.  I have also been a member of the Maryland Pastel Society.   I have read many books written on specific topics by other Professional Artists such as Pastel techniques, Animal drawing, Ocean waves, Color usage, composition, perspective and many other specifics in Art. 
Art for me is a continual learning process that never stops. I've learned from experience especially in different mediums. However I have continued  with Acrylics and  Pastel as well as Graphite pencil. I've learned from each medium. Although different mediums present different challenges I have found that there are many similarities with them especially when depicting light and shadow.  Even now I sometimes alternate between mediums. It gives me a kind of creative lift and also it inspires me.
I have sold many of my paintings. I have been, in the past, commissioned to paint house and pet portraits.  Unfortunately I do not have photos of my commissioned work. The largest house portrait I painted was for a coworker and it was in Acrylics.  It was my biggest project and sold for $600.  Many of my Wildlife and landscapes have sold as well.
 Having a Disability myself,  I became involved in giving painting classes to the Disabled and Mentally Challenged Individuals. This became a way for me to share my talent with others. I began with landscapes and guided them through a step by step plan with Acrylic paint.    It was interesting to see their creations under my instruction.  I discovered and it was very plain to see that given individuals the same step by step instructions and guidance, everybody's painting was different and unique.  In addition to giving painting classes I also became a Facilitator for WRAP a Wellness and Recovery Action Plan which is a devised plan to stay well and recognize changes that could require attention.

 I served the community as a Dental Hygienist for 25 years but I no longer practice.  I am now focused completely on my Art.

 


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