A resident of Bay City, Michigan. My father is an automotive engineer with a talent and interest in wildlife art. Thus, I possessed an innate talent both in abstract and representational painting/ drawing that was evident since early childhood. This talent continued to flourish throughout the years. My style may be somewhat similar to Joan Miro's or Paul Klee's in that it is direct and unplanned. Yet it differs in that the subject matter is produced entirely by the subconscious. The second it becomes a conscious effort, the integrity of the work is lost.
In adolescence I had studied art informally at the local Bay City Library. Subjects ranged from the early masters to modern day abstract/ new age art. Upon graduation from high school, I was honored to receive The Kathy Behmlander Memorial Art Scholarship, in memory of the late Kathy Behmlander, a vibrant artistic young woman who had unfortunately passed away in her senior high school year. I began my formal art education at a local community college and later transferred to a four year university in Saginaw, Michigan to complete the academic equivalent of a Bachelor of Arts degree. Throughout my college years I became increasingly disillusioned with “higher” art education and resolved
myself the philosophy that “ creativity is an objective truth that cannot be taught,” and that “education may instill false notions within an individual that will actually stifle creativity.” This brought me to this conclusion: Building an education does not promote creativity, but tearing an education down is a good start. images ©copyright Kelly Billette 2193
