Katie Holbrook loves art.
The young mother of two children, ages seven and three, is kept busy most days. Holbrook is in a transitional period in her life, working toward a new career in real estate while still finding time to stir her creative juices.
” This is my passion,” said Holbrook, pointing to one of many paintings hanging on the walls of the Colusa County Arts Councils gallery, in Colusa.
Holbrook, 28, discovered she had the talent to draw at a young age, before she tested her hand at painting, while a student in Maxwell High School.
” For a while, I would go back and forth,” said Holbrook, at Thursdays opening of her first exhibition. ” I would draw or I would paint.
Holbrook said that while she was still discovering which direction she wanted her art to go, she started painting abstractly using acrylic paints, then would draw an image with lead or charcoal onto the background.
” It sort of evolved from there,” she said. ” Then I was making things up in my head. It was a ‘where I was in my life kind of thing – to now, which are moments in my life. Its going in that direction.
Holbrooks art incorporates bold acrylic colors, on which strokes of carbon give her work contrast and texture – with designs as simple as a book and coffee cup to more detailed images of peacock feathers and birds.
Holbrooks work, which is for sale, will be on display at the Colusa County Arts Council gallery until Sept. 10, with a small portion of the proceeds going back to the non-profit organization to help with gallery expenses.
” Its always great to get new artists,” said Sharon Reische, executive director. ” Katie is actually the daughter of one of my friends (Sharon Zwald). We got to talking one day and she said her daughter was an artist. That is sometimes how we find people, just by word of mouth.”
The gallery is open from 3-6 PM on Tuesdays; 10:30 AM to 1 PM on Wednesdays and Thursdays. –