Kristy Bishop: My Quest to Know God has Influenced My Passion for Art
Kristy Bishop: My Quest to Know God has Influenced My Passion for Art
Produced by Geri Jones, Creative Arts segment, July 23, 2024
“My goal as an artist is to serve mankind at the deepest level of my spiritual development through the expression of painting, writing and public speaking.”
My maternal grandmother, Izah Clark, was attuned to my artistic ability when I was a baby. While I was sitting on her lap, I would trace the intricate designs on her dress with my right index finger. She advised my mother to be sure to get art lessons for me at a young age. Since there were artists in my family, both heredity and environment played a natural part in fostering my interest in art. My cousins, Don and Ruth Clark were artists. They attended the Massachusetts College of Art (circa 1920.)
A Work in Progress Pastel on Sanded Paper 24 x 20 by Kristy Bishop (c) 1993
I am the third of four children born in the George and Kathleen Clark Bishop family. I was born in 1951. My mother saved some of my drawings from age 4 or 5 because they showed exceptional ability. Soon after my grandmother passed away in 1958, I received art lessons from a professional artist Bessie Higgins (1897-1995) in Presque Isle, Maine. Higgins studied at the Massachusetts College of Art and taught there until she moved to Presque Isle in 1928.
Drawing and painting have always given me great joy. The process gives me such elation that I do it on a regular basis. If I don’t create for awhile, I feel an urging in my spirit to get back to it. I give God the credit for both my talent and for the desire to study fine art; also, improve my work and share that knowledge with others. God has given us all the ability to create. Some can develop it faster than others.
My passion for sharing and teaching began when I was six years old. I would demonstrate how to draw Donald Duck on a blackboard in our farmhouse kitchen to a number of neighborhood children. My mother documented my progress with photographs.
Teaching is natural for me. I began teaching art privately as a profession in Saugerties, New York in 1977 after studying at the Art Students League. New adult student, Mary Rell wrote in an email to me on 7-16- 2013, “What fun!! I was thrilled to be a part of your talented group. I do not have anyone to compare you to but I can honestly say I found you to be wonderful and easy to learn from. That in itself is quite a skill. Some people have the knowledge but cannot convey the information to others well. My husband was so impressed that he wanted to frame my work…I am still shocked that I was able to accomplish the painting.” (This was her first art class.)
Theory of Everything acrylic on canvas 20 x 16 by Kristy Bishop (c) 2013
For me, teaching a variety of techniques is the easiest part of being an instructor. However, a real mentor needs to be capable of instilling confidence in the student. I am so passionate concerning my mission as a teacher that many my students set up their own studios at home and continue to practice between classes. Reportedly, my enthusiasm is contagious! My spiritual quest to know God and seek His Will has influenced my passion for art. I am so grateful for this. There is so much beauty that God has created in this world. It exists in every landscape and still life….even in abstraction. More over, beauty can be found in every individual as long as he or she is reacted to with forgiveness and love. I listen as well as look. I have devoted all these years to developing the gift that God has given me.
Friday Morning Art Class oil on canvas 8 x 10 by Kristy Bishop (c) 2012
“I love it!” Teaching art, at this studio has been one of my main purposes in life since 1977. More than 800 beginning students have participated in painting and drawing classes, ages 6 through 85. Many friends have been made over the years as a result of this mission in Saugerties, NY.
20 Responses to “Kristy Bishop: My Quest to Know God has Influenced My Passion for Art”
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What an incredible talent Kristy has! And what an amazing person as well.
I love your story and the way you describe what inspires you.
Beautiful.
Peace n love..
Geri,
You are a gift from God to me! Thank you for all that you have done to encourage and promote my art! You are ablessing beyond what words can express!
Love, Kristy
the water fall reminds me of a place near my home in western pa. it’s an ancient site and there are deep, resounding voices of Earth.i was married beside one of the many waterfalls in this glacial site. thanks for a trip back in time and for the magnificent gift of you.
Dear Maryca,
I am happy that this painting brought back great memories for you! Art is meant to move people …thanks for sharing with me!
Blessings,
Kristy
I’m proud to say Kristy is a life long friend. Thank you for sharing your beautifully written story Kristy!
Thanks Paula! You are part of our family! Loved in such a supreme way! I am so proud of you for your accomplishments in international Corgi competitions! Love, Kristy
Very expressive and well written. Thanks for sharing. I’m so glad we were able to reconnect after all these years.
Onward…..
Thanks Wayne…Looking forward to seeing your studio and yes, so great to see you 38 years after our first meeting!
Blessings, Kristy
I love my sister Kristy and her dedication. Even as children, I would be outside enjoying myself and she would be studying art, drawing, and painting in her bedroom/studio. She has always been driven and has accomplished so much. Our family is so proud of Kristy!
Vicki, You are blood of my blood and loved beyond any explanation! Thank you for your ever constant encouragement to me as an artist and sister! Love, Sis
I have been studying with Kristy for ten full months and will start my 11th month in August. She is a wonderful artist and has given me great encouragement to continue on with my painting. Her paintings are breath taking with,only,her deep faith and kind words out shining her art. I am blessed to have come to know her. Thank you,Kristy
Dear Aggie,
I am so proud of your artwork and you as a person…God love you always! You are an inspiration to me! Love, Kristy
Indeed a wonderful talent and teacher - I can tell how loved Kristy is and what good she is doing in the community. For me, this is what humanity is all about - caring, sharing, loving, giving and creating!! Blessings to Kristy for sharing so much with so many. <3
Kristy, a woman who knows how to be truly alive. Love her.
Dear Dorothy,
I thank you for being such an important part of my development! Thank you from the bottom of my heart! Love, Kristy
Having never taken art classes from Kristy I can only attest to the fact that she is a talented artist, a giving, caring person and a loving friend. I have known her since she and I were children and recently (within the last 12 years) reconnected with her and am so very, very happy that we did. It is so nice to get a better insight into what makes her so passionate about her art and about sharing it with others not only with the beautiful insightful pieces she creates but sharing through teaching, introducing art into the lives of others for life…She is blessed by God with her talent and we are blessed by having her include us in her world of art. Bravo Kristy and Thank You.
Dear Marie…I am so happy that we reconnected after all these years! Thank you for taking the time to reply to this article and for saying such wonderful things! I enjoy seeing you and your family on FACEBOOK. You are so dear to me! Love, Kristy
Both of my children studied with Kristy when they were young. Both children did remarkably well in her classes. My son was a quiet young boy, but quite gifted. Kristy instilled such confidence in him. He produced beautiful paintings as early as age 9 that hang in my home to this day (he’s 24 now). Although he did not pursue art as a career, he still paints and draws frequently and has gotten quite good at it. Thank you Kristy for bringing out my sons talent and making him feel his own self worth at a young age.
Lisa, Thank you for your most kind words! You and your grown children are very special to me. Thank you for taking the time to reply to my article. Love, Kristy
Wow, talk about feeling the love - this whole discussion is awesome.
Much love to you ALL!!!