KAY BRATHOL-HOSTVET
Art
Kay Brathol-Hostvet is an enthusiastic instructor with a passion for the visual arts and teaching. A native of St. Croix County in northwest Wisconsin, she has been living in Madison since autumn of 2006 and loves the natural beauty of the area and its many cultural opportunities. A professional artist for over two decades, as well as an art instructor working with adults and mature young people for many of those years, she brings a wealth of information and experience to the studio classroom. She believes that sharing ourselves with others is the greatest gift we can give. Although she has been creating art and showing publicly for many years, she understands—and remembers—that beginners are often fearful of “mistakes,” judgment, and failure. Kay says “my approach is simple; people pay me to teach them to be better artists and they deserve to be treated with respect, honesty, and compassion. I aim to make my introductory classes informative, interactive, non-judgmental, and fun! As students develop their skills in more advanced workshops, I begin to challenge them to grow beyond what they might have expected of themselves, to pursue their own ‘voice.’ What I give to my students is returned to me tenfold in renewed enthusiasm for art-making, and often, lasting friendships.”
Kay’s landscape paintings in pastel and acrylic have been described as “contemporary regionalism” and “emotive landscapes.” Brathol-Hostvet’s work is in numerous private and corporate collections including the University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics and Wisconsin Department of Revenue in Madison. She is represented by Artisan Gallery in Paoli, Wisconsin and BNOX Gold & Iron Gallery in Pepin, Wisconsin and is a Professional Level member of Wisconsin Painters & Sculptors. She has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the University of Wisconsin-Stout in Studio Arts, with concentrations in painting and drawing. To see examples of Kay’s work, visit her website.
What People Are Saying About Kay:
- "Kay’s classes are so upbeat, informational and encouraging. Her classes make you feel good about any art work you attempt and you go home wanting to paint."
- "Enriching, instructive, and fun! Thanks!"
- "A day with Kay is inspirational, encouraging, and delightful. I enjoy her warm sense of humor."
- "I have learned how to use new mediums that I have thoroughly enjoyed. Kay is not only knowledgeable but she explains techniques so that even beginners can understand. She is patient with the impatient."
- "I want to thank you again for the wonderful experience I had while learning to draw with you at the workshop . . . Your encouragement and humor soothed my nervousness, and your logical progression through the skill-building exercises allowed me to feel successful throughout the day."
- "Wow Zowie! Let’s do it again!"
Class Schedule
Kay teaches art classes in more than one location. Here is a list of her upcoming sessions:
- March 29: Beyond the Photo: Creative Design with Photographic References, Rhapsody Arts Center, Verona, WI
- April 6 and 7: Studio Landscape Painting in Acrylic. Rhapsody Arts Center, Verona, WI
- April 19 and 20: Introduction to Drawing the Figure. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point, WI
- May 3: Introduction to Painting with Soft Pastel. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point, WI
- May 17 and 18: Introduction to Acrylic Painting. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point, WI
- June 1: Painting the Springtime Gardens in Soft Pastel (plein air workshop). Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI
- June 21 and 22: Plein Air Painting in Soft Pastel. Shake Rag Alley Center for the Arts, Mineral Point, WI
- June 29 and 30: Introduction to Acrylic Painting. Rhapsody Arts Center, Verona, WI
- July 10-13: Pastel workshop series (Intro, Interpretations, Plein Air). Full Circle Retreat, Viroqua, WI
- July 26: Beyond the Photo: Creative Design with Photographic References (Guest Artist Series). UW-Continuing Education, Madison
- August 8: Show Opening, solo show of pastels at Artisan Gallery, Paoli, WI (show dates August 8-September 14)
- August 15: Introduction to Painting with Soft Pastel. Rhapsody Arts Center, Verona, WI
- August 20 and 21: Experimental Drawing. Full Circle Retreat, Viroqua, WI
- September 19: Painting the Autumn Gardens in Soft Pastel (plein air). Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI *no registration yet
- October 3, 4, 5. Featured Artist, pastels and acrylics, Fall Art Tour. BNOX Gold and Iron Gallery, Pepin, WI (show dates September 17- mid-November, tentative)
- October 19: Introduction to Painting with Soft Pastel. Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI *no registration yet
- November 2: Floral Painting in Acrylic--A Direct Approach. Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Madison, WI *no registration yet

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