The Incredible Likeness of Being 2014
At the intersection of divine inspiration and divine intervention we find the art of Kathryn Saunders. Kathryn demonstrated an inspired natural talent for drawing at a very early age. However, being surrounded by unsupported adults who did not see value in her remarkable capability to magically reproduce what she saw and her talent was very nearly lost forever. She did not practice her art again for a couple of decades.
Meanwhile, illness gripped Kathryn as a young adult and she suffered through health crises that caused her energy to drain and her strength to ebb toward death. In the throws and debilitating depths of the illness Kathryn spent a great deal of time resting in an effort to gain energy.
It was during one of these peaceful breaks that Kathryn had a dream. She believes it to have been a divine intervention. In the dream a voice, which she interpreted as the voice of a messenger-guide, told her that she should be using her talent, and so, to start drawing again.
In the tradition of true inspiration the work flowed through her eyes and hand to the pencil tip and on to the paper. The drawing that Kathryn completed at that time was a portrait of Betty Davis. It is so accurate and truly representative of the subject that it appears to be a black and white photograph.
While still struggling with health issues Kathryn registered for art classes. This first attempt, the Betty Davis drawing, was presented as her portfolio. The instructor refused to believe that incredibly striking likeness was drawn by a “merely-mortal”. Kathryn then went on to produce several more portraits of famous people such as Jimmy Cagney, Frank Sinatra, and Charles Bronson in an effort to prove that this was not a trick. At this point the instructor realized that Kathryn has an extremely rare natural grasp of portraiture and had nothing to add to the near perfection of her fully developed artistic capability. The finished drawings are hauntingly photographic quality images.
Now in Kathryn’s portfolio we find architectural renderings, portraits of people of all ages, pets from horses to birds, and she has more recently begun to expand into color drawings and landscapes. Examples of Kathryn’s talent for producing incredible likenesses can be found at herartkat.com
Kathryn’s health stills suffers, but she now enjoys life with an outlet for the formerly bottled-up emotions and spirit. She hopes to one day draw images from the dream that moved the divine inspiration into action.
Author to come…
Dreaming of Angels
By Tiffany Le-Claire
Interview with Kathryn Saunders
She had an awesome dream; a visit from an angel would change her life forever….
As a child Kathryn Saunders drew some pictures from bible books and buildings. However it wasn’t until a couple of years ago when she “hit bottom, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually” that she had a dream. Life had become a quest just to survive, and she was paralyzed by her fears. Then one night when she felt total despair and hopelessness, a dream came to her. It was actually much more than just a dream – it was an epiphany; of mind, body and soul. And that began her journey of self-confidence and self-awareness. She found her path. She was inspired to start drawing again.
Kathryn has spent the past 2 years studying and drawing buildings such as GCI. This spring she ventured into drawing portraits.
Kathryn is a very spiritual, insightful, gentle soul. Her work is definitely an extension of herself (as with most artists); yet I believe she is inspired to a level, which expresses the essence of her being by encompassing her beliefs, philosophies and emotions.
Kathryn’s attention to detail is outstanding in her face drawings. She is able to capture the finest features in her subjects and portray a photographic quality image. She has recently started to paint. Her greatest goal is “to draw the dream that inspired” her and so profoundly changed her life. Her advice to other aspiring artists is to “do it for love”. We look forward to so much more from her in the future.
Tiffany Le-Claire
Art Editor of When Dreams Come True
Ed Note; Tiffany Le-claire is the pen name of a local artist, writer and musician.
Date 2003
HerART Kat 