Motivation
Patty Kampmann can't remember a time when she didn't aspire to become an artist, but practicality and job security always won out. A love for kids and teaching led Patty to a degree in Elementary Education in 1987 from Florida State University. She taught 5th grade for 4 years in Belleville Public School District #118 until the age of 26 when she fell from a horse and spent a month on bed rest. It was then that she first picked up a set of pencils and a how to draw book. "I completed my first drawings straight from that book and realized that maybe I had something here. It had come so easily. I was able to replicate just about anything I saw in 2D. I had a long way to go and a lot to learn, but it gave me the motivation to go back to school for studio classes. An opportunity became available to move to the art department in 1991 and she jumped at it. She then acquired 20 plus hours in art studio classes from Southwestern Illinois College, and numerous hours in art education, appreciation, and art curriculum and instruction courses at Southern Illinois University. 'My biggest influences have been Jerry Changer, professor of art education at SIU and Jerry Thomas, mentor in all things. I have also studied under Doug Eskra, Sally Strand, Donna Tamburello, Annie Smith-Piffel, Tom Hohn, in various mediums, and potters- Guy Weibel and Laura Jackson, as well as weaver-Cynthia Williams, and lampworker Larry Hesterberg.
Patty has been making beaded jewelry since 1994 when the quest for a beaded watchband led her to her first bead store. There was something intrinsically pleasing about the look and feel of glass that immediately had her hooked.
Fine Art
Experienced to various degrees in pastel, watercolor, colored pencil, and oil pastels, Patty specializes in graphite "paintings" as she calls them. "Although pencil works are usually referred to as sketches or drawings, I approach my work as a painter would, covering every inch of paper with thoroughly rendered graphite. I love limiting myself to shades of gray and solving textural challenges." As an accomplished equestrian, Patty has spent the best part of her life riding and competing. Her family has never been without horses for at least 5 generations. Dressage, stadium and cross-country jumping, eventing and at various times, teaching, training and judging equestrian events. From mucking stables for riding time, leasing horses and finally owning several horses of her own, Patty has always made horses a large part of her life. "There's nothing like the feeling of exhilaration one gets from the back of a horse and the companionship of a large four legged friend. Soft muzzles, nickered greetings and racing to the gate at mealtime, the smell of leather and horses, I love it all." With a lifelong study of horses, Patty brings a well-founded expertise to her photo-realistic drawings. An award-winning artist with works recognized and exhibited in private and corporate collections locally and nationally, Patty is best known for her graphite equestrian renderings. She has done numerous commissioned and private portraits in graphite as well.