Artists Corner: Kathy Durdin

Stop by the Carrollwood Cultural Center, and one thing is clear: local artists are making their mark in Tampa Bay.

One of those artists is Tampa resident Kathy Durdin, who has displayed her artwork at the Center, 4537 Lowell Road, for years. Durdin, who is vice president of Tampa Regional Artists, recently won second place in the Winter Wonderful show at the Center.

Patch recently talked to Durdin about her artistic influences and how she got her start in the art world.

Patch: How did you get started doing artwork?

Durdin: My mother was an artist, so I was always drawing when I was a child in Lakeland.  However, after I went to college, except for a watercolor class at a community college in the early 80s, I didn’t take art back up again until 2003.  Since then, I have been working at taking workshops, going to life drawing class once a week, and generally working on my art work.

Patch: Who are some of your artistic influences?

Durdin: I have taken watercolor workshops with artists whose work I admire, such as Charles Reid and Ted Nuttall.  I have also been influenced by major watercolorists, particularly masters such as Paul Cezanne, John Singer Sargent, Winslow Homer, Maurice Prendergast, and John Whorf as well as contemporary artists such as Stephen Scott Young.

Patch: How did you get involved with displaying artwork at the Center?

Durdin: We have organized an alliance among the art groups in Hillsborough County, the Hillsborough County Visual Artists Alliance.  We let all of our members know of exhibitions and other events at each organization as well as having our group exhibition at the Center.

Patch: What is the biggest misconception about artists that you've encountered?

Durdin: I don’t know that I have encountered a misconception about artists.  I think the misconception may be that people think that they can’t do art. Anyone can be an artist, and anyone can draw.

Patch: How can people get copies of your work if they want to purchase it or view it? 

Durdin: My website is www.kdurdin.com, and I can be reached via phone or email — 813-220-5800 or kdurdin1@tampabay.rr.com.