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  CircaArts Gallery
There was never any doubt that Kathy Reddy White would find her life's work in art. Even as a small child, she was an artist, she said, and so was her identical twin sister. A South Bend native, Kathy earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from St. Marys College and a Masters of Fine Arts Degree from The University of Notre Dame. She worked as a graphic designer for several years, but 10 years ago decided to pursue her true passion and opened the gallery. Today you'll find her work there, including her paintings and custom tiles. "I love making tiles," Kathy says. "If I could, I'd tile my whole house!" Her tiles are inspired by the works of Frank Lloyd Wright, she says, as well as Hoosier artists who followed in that tradition. This influence shows through in many of her paintings, as well. Ancient cultures and antiques also drive her creations. She likes to create Ziggurat tiles, which incorporate a four-sided stepped pyramid. "I use what is called a Wabi-Sabi technique, which focuses on the beauty of imperfection," Kathy says. It is rooted in Japanese culture. Many subjects are found in her tiles, including coffee cups, wine, sailboats and architectural details. She's even created a fireplace and mantel made completely of her tiles. Kathy enjoys doing custom tile work and will work with you to design the perfect piece for your home. Her paintings, completed in water-based latex enamel, reflect the subjects she loves. You'll find dreamy water scenes, cottages, architecture and buildings. She is not alone is in her creativity. Her husband, Gary, an antiques enthusiast, puts together two or three antiques to create his own brand of art, which he calls "Carpenter Gothic." One of his pieces, for example, is a chest made of an old shipping crate, with croquet balls for feet, croquet mallets for handles, and a piece of vintage tin ceiling for a lid. His work is featured in a shop right next door to Kathy's gallery. Kathy's own gallery is a showcase for the works of local artists. Some 40 are featured with a wide variety of works that range from casual to eclectic. You'll find paintings, jewelry, pottery and more for prices that range from $20 to $5,000. She likes the wide price range because she believes there is some special piece for anyone who comes into the gallery. Sometimes she'll feature the oil landscapes created by her twin sister. Each month she features the work of one of the gallery's artists. Kathy also is known for her series of whimsical Christmas cards, which have become very popular. She started making them in 1988. "I do a new one every year," she says. "They're spoofs on the paintings of masters such as Picasso and Van Gogh." Obviously, Kathy's move to establish her own gallery has been rewarding for her. "I'm just driven by painting with glazes on tiles, and I love what I'm doing here," Kathy says. CircaArts Gallery |
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