Today we’d like to introduce you to Maureen Kerr.
Hi Maureen, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born in Switzerland and began traveling with my family at an early age. In 1972, my family settled in San Diego where I attended Point Loma High School and then the University of San Diego receiving a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English Literature. While I experimented with a few potential career paths, I finally decided on a career in the field of Human Resources. In the ensuing 30 plus years, I had the opportunity to manage and lead human resource teams in a variety of industries.
In December of 2019, the organization I worked for decided to make a major shift with their management team. I found myself unemployed right as the COVID crisis began. Sometimes, what initially seems like a setback turns out to be a stroke of luck! I somehow had the good fortune to inadvertently leave my position at one of the most challenging times of my profession in recent history. This break gave me the time to reassess my goals and change the course of my career.
In 2020, after viewing and following a few online videos on drawing and pastel, I decided to enroll in an art program at a local college not far from my house. During the following two years, I completed the art courses necessary to apply for an Associate’s Degree in Art History and Studio Arts. I also had the opportunity to tutor art history students and provide teacher assistant services to several art professors at the college.
While I worked on the courses at the college, I joined a number of art associations in the greater San Diego area, entered juried shows, exhibited my art at selected galleries, and worked a few hours helping one of those galleries hang their shows. I participated in art walks in Little Italy, Liberty Station, Carlsbad and am slated to participate in the Ramona Art & Wine Festival later this year. I also managed to get my website up and running!
I continue taking workshops and classes and surrounding myself with other creatives. I was thrilled earlier this year when I was offered a position at Art on 30th as one of their regular instructors. I also currently serve on the Board of the East County Art Association. I love creating art, learning new art techniques, and am always amazed when someone decides to purchase one of my pieces. I anticipate continuing on this path for years to come!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Honestly, I think that some would see what I experienced as a struggle or at least a challenge, but to me it really wasn’t. It was an opportunity that I never expected to get. Sometimes, you have to be pushed over the edge to make a change that, at the time, you didn’t realize was needed. However, I do have to say that my years in Human Resources and the fact that I saved money along the way, gave me a certain amount of financial freedom to make the changes I wanted to make quite quickly. I did have to reassess my spending habits. 🙂
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m early in my artistic career, so I’m still evolving. I think I will be perpetually evolving. That is one of the things I like about creating art. You can modify, change, evolve, improve, learn. I would describe my current work as representational abstract landscapes and florals with an occasional foray into complete abstraction of organic shapes. I’m sure this will change over time. The one thing that does distinguish my work is color. I’ve been described as a colorist by some. I rarely use local color in my work preferring to go beyond what I see with my eyes and painting with colors that amplify and at the same time simplify my work.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The one thing that I hear consistently from emerging artists is the feeling that they aren’t good enough to put their work out there. They keep waiting for that perfect piece or they compare themselves to artists who have been painting for decades. I say, forget about it…just put it out there. You will get better over time. Just keep practicing your craft and be proud of your progress. You also get the benefit of constructive critique. Most artists are kind and generous with their feedback. They’ve all been where you are.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mlkerrart.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/mlkerrart
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/maureen.kerr
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/maureen-kerr-a774b55
