Stacey K. Kite

Artist's Statement

The focus of my work is to make the unreal real, to reveal the reason behind. Paintings arrive in my mind unbidden, then blossom and change as I create them. I am inspired by absurdity, science, innocence, humor and love. I paint the frustration of a child struggling with growth and laugh with them in their effort. I want to share the wonder of a spiral galaxy spinning in the folds of a woman's dress and the yearning of a rubber duck when he hears the call of wild geese.

I've always loved art. I remember drawing eyes on the walls of my room when I was 7. Fortunately, my mother is an artist and was an art teacher, so the only repercussions of those early expressions were critiques. While developing into an artist, I took a couple of detours. I taught reactor dynamics at the Navy Nuclear Power School and was a practicing veterinarian for a few years. But when I got home each day, I could not resist painting. Finally, I gave in. I became a full time artist.

I love rich colors, draftsmanship and ideas. My style is old fashioned. I use glazing techniques similar to those used by Maxfield Parish, but the ideas are new. I don't think Max painted chaos theory and illustrated "slippage"

Most of my work begins with a simple thought or emotion and over time blossoms into a painting. How else would I come with paintings of a fairy painting flowers. (Actually, a gallery owner told me, "Stacey, you can paint anything. Why don't you paint flowers? I think I could sell a lot of flower paintings." So I did "The Flower Painter.") Not that I have anything against flower painters. Georgia O'Keefe was amazing. I paint dragons and math. I paint the transient nature of the universe and the interaction of lovers. I paint the absurdity of everyday life and the influences on each of us. I paint whimsy and mirth. Take a look. I hope you enjoy what you see.