Nicola Valley Arts Artisan of the Month – Katalin Kovacs

MERRITT — “I’m Croatian origin and I grew up on a farm in Hungary. Even in my childhood I was surrounded by the natural beauty of land, trees, flowers and animals as well as the natural simplicity of folk art. These were great influences on me.”

Katalin moved to Canada and lived near Horse Lake in British Columbia.

“I was impressed with the landscape of the region called the Cariboo: the water, the rocks, the sky, the scenery of mountains and lakes, where the sunset is spectacular. In 2007, I started working as a volunteer at Parkside Art Center and I belong to the Cariboo Artists’ Guild where I had several shows in 100 Mile House.”

Her favorite medium is watercolor as well as work with pastel and acrylic as well. She likes nature, and her preferred subject is landscape. She often paints from the photographs taken with her camera and also likes to paint outdoors, or as she calls it ”En Plein Air.”

Katalin spent a few winters as a “Snowbird” in Florida.

“It was fascinating to see and paint the evergreen habitats, palm trees and always blossoming flowers, the creatures of parks and everglades, sunrise or sunset at the ocean or at Loxahatchee Everglades. I found a group called “Plein Air painters of Coconut Creek, Florida”. We were visiting different parks in this region and painting outdoors. I had an exhibition in Florida as well.”

Recently she moved to Merritt where she became a member of Nicola Valley Community Arts Centre. Her paintings were sold in Europe, USA and Canada.

Anyone can renew their membership or join the Nicola Valley Arts Council (NVCAC) for 2024. You can Click here to donate $20 and you’ll be a member of the NVCAC until the end of 2024 – and you’ll be entered to win a gift basked filled with goodies from the Artisan Gift Shop, valued at $75.