September 2008
Kathy Herranen
Native of AZ? If not where you relocated from and how long ago?
I grew up in Pennsylvania and still have lots of relatives there, but have lived in California, Montana and briefly in Rhode Island. Moved to Phoenix in the late 1980s from Napa, California, but also previously lived in Mesa, Yuma and Sedona.
 How long have you been involved with APAA?
When APAA was organized in 1994 by Ruth Palmisano, I was there, so I'm a charter member.
In what capacities have you served APAA?
I've never been president, but I was membership chairman in 1995-96, second vp/show chairman in 1996-97, and returned to the post of membership chairman in 2002 where I've been ever since.
What formal art education, if any, do you have?
No degrees and no real drive to get one. But I was certified to teach art in the Maricopa County Community College system.
What informal art education, workshops, etc. have you taken part in that have impacted your art?
I've taken art and graphic design classes (before everything was done on computers) in Montana and here at Scottsdale Community College, and I learned to appreciate other forms of expression, not just my photo-realistic style. But I think the biggest impact for me came from Leslie DeMille's portraits and his methods.
 Do you work in other media…or just pastel?
Although pastel is my passion, I enjoy using pencil and charcoal..
Are you a full time artist? If not are you still working? If so, what do you do?
I guess you could call me a full-time artist. Unfortunately, it's not in pastels. I create hand-painted glass and stained glass windchimes that I sell at art and craft fairs, farmers' markets and through my web site, www.khchimes.com. My wind chime designs are painted with acrylics.
Are you a member of other art organizations as well?
Besides APAA, I'm currently a juried member of the Arizona Art Alliance and a member of Desert Sage Artists. I'm also a life-time member and past-president of the Artists & Craftsmen of the Flathead Valley (Montana) which I founded in the 1970s.
What are your goals for your art…a career, second career, enjoyment or hobby, become rich and famous, etc.
like the "rich" part, but since that's unlikely to happen..... I do hope to find a way to get back to pastel painting, in addition to making wind chimes. The chimes give me a great deal of satisfaction, but nothing really compares with seeing my vision of an image come to life on paper.
Why have you chosen pastels as a medium?
When I first began painting more than 30 years ago, pastel seemed ideal since I had a small child and didn't need to worry about preparation or drying time or paint drying out. Then I discovered the sparkle and immediacy of pastel and I was hooked.
 Do you work in themes or series? If not…do you have favorite topics?
I've done themes, but find I get bored with the same subjects. I began my career with portraits, so I suppose I have to say that's where my first love is.
Are you represented by any galleries?
I've been in a number of galleries over the years, but currently I'm represented by Hohn Gallery Fine Arts, Ltd., formerly located in Scottsdale and now on the web.
Any experiences, awards, etc. that have been boosts for your career?
Having my images reproduced in magazines and newspapers around the country and receiving awards has certainly been satisfying, although not necessarily a career boost. And I do get contacts through my bio that appears in a number of Who's Who publications, including Marquis Who's Who in the World.
Are you married? Do you have children?
I'm happily divorced, with one son and one grandson, as well as four step-childred, nine step-grandchildren and five step-great-grandchildren.
Anything else that you would like to share about yourself?
Only that I'm eccentric, an over-achiever and obsessive-compulsive.
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