Biography

Creative Arts
by Cathy

CREATIVE ARTS BY CATHY

Cathy Kravitz

Hello and welcome to my web site. Originally from Colorado, I now live in Carmel, Indiana with my husband and Maggie, our dog. We have 2 grown children.

I have loved art for as long as I can remember. My work and imagination sometimes run away with me as I create bright colorful pieces, which have become my trademark. I like to think of my artwork as whimsical and my goal is to make myself and others, smile and feel good.

I enjoy working in many mediums and often cannot decide which one I like the best, therefore, I usually work on a number of pieces at one time:

CLAY: I love to create with clay. Working with clay is so messy and interesting to watch as a blob turns into something as it grows and shapes itself. When I am finished with a piece, it is so satisfying but then I get to take it a step further and watch it come alive with the glazes. Color kind of talks to me and I add whatever wherever. One of my favorite pieces I enjoy looking at as well as adding to is an old tree stump in my yard which I have turned into a totem pole. I make a bunch of masks or faces and nail them to the tree stump.

PAINTING: Painting is so magical. I love to turn a canvas or a surface into something. The ideas in my head often seem to flow faster than I can create them. I tend to do a series of pieces and when I am done, I am done. I have a series of city scenes, animals, musicians, designs, and foods, and I am starting on a western series.

I also have painted furniture, doors, walls, and fabric. I am sure there are more surfaces I haven't touched on yet but might in the future.

BOOKS: I have always been an avid reader and I love books. We have quite a library of children's picture books that I cannot part with. I have a few friends who are illustrators as well as mentors. I decided that I should try something new but I didn't want to just illustrate, so I wrote and illustrated A DOG'S DAY. This is a delightful story (if I do so say myself) about sharing with my dog, Mocha. A little boy decides to share a day with his best friend, his dog. They spend a day doing all of the things his dog likes to do.

I also wrote and illustrate, WHAT WE CAN DO : A BOOK ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING. After seeing Al Gore's movie AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, I wanted to do something that would help to make a difference, thus WHAT WE CAN DO. This is a children's book which explains as simply as I could, what Global Warming is and some of the easier things people, mostly children - our future generation - can do to make a difference.

PRINT MAKING: My newest venture is so much fun. I have just started and there is so much to learn.

TEACHING: By trade, I am an elementary school teacher. I have never given up my teaching because children are terrific! I decided to combine both of my worlds by teaching art. I teach about 5 classes a week and love every minute of it. The children are so inspiring as well as fresh and creative. I have 2 very important rules for all of my students:

1. Have fun!

2. There are no mistakes in art.

COMMUNITY PROJECTS: I participated in 2 different events for the INDY 500. I decorated a truck tire for ARTFUL TREADS. The following year, I participated in ART IN MOTION, along with Peter Max. I was sponsored by INDIANA'S WOMAN MAGAZINE, and painted a car, entitled, MY SECRET CAR-DEN. I painted a real violin for a fundraiser for the Carmel symphony.

My work has been shown in many venues throughout Indianapolis. Details, in Keystone at the Crossing, The Great Frame Up, 86th and Ditch, The Franklin Barry Gallery, on Mass. Ave., Cafe Zuppa, near the circle, Mindful Movements Pilate's Studio, on 86th and Ditch, LuLu's Electric Cafe, on 86th and Ditch, IUPUI Gallery, where I will have a one woman show next year. I have also exhibited at the Indianapolis Art Center. I am a member of Studio Showcase, and Between Paper and Pallet.

I am currently the art director for Lu Lu's Electric Cafe. I also recently started a new program for HABITAT FOR HUMANITY. I collect artwork from local artists and the new homeowners are able to choose a work of art from the collection, as a house warming present for their new home.

I hope you enjoy CREATIVE ARTS BY CATHY. Please keep me bookmarked in your favorites because I change and update my stock as I reinvent myself (not as often I would like to do).