"I am inspired to paint by light and shadow. In searching for a location or collection of objects to paint, I look to find a patterned combination of light and dark shadows with enough mid-range tones to be able to create a scene that one feels they could walk through. I then look for colors that play off of each other to add to the visual sense of depth on a two-dimensional surface.

I prefer to work in oils, although I also work in pastels, watercolor and colored pencils. I feel that proficiency in various mediums teaches me more about color, color mixing, textures and depth. Changing mediums forces me to think differently using each and opens possibilities of use when I move on to another painting tool.

What I love most about painting is preserving a small piece of time. I often find myself admiring the colors in an evening or stormy sky, the assorted pinks, blues, purples and yellows of white in snow on a sunny day, or the glittering of leaves against a blue sky. These moments change with the wind, a cloud or the turn of a head yet I find myself compelled to record them. As I look at a painting I’ve completed, I can recall the details of each painting session, the season, the temperature, and my interactions with other people. When I paint, it is my visual diary of my world."

-- Kathy Busillo

Kathy Busillo graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration, from the University of the Arts (Philadelphia College of Art). She was a freelance artist in advertising for several years before moving to central Pennsylvania. After taking time off to start her family, Kathy returned to art a few years ago with Plein Air painting. Kathy has been teaching impressionist painting, basic oil painting classes and takes commissions for landscape and portraits. She has won a number of awards and has participated in numerous shows throughout Pennsylvania and with the American Impressionist Society. She is currently represented by The Village Artisans Gallery, the 2005 NICHE #2 Retailer of American Craft, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania. Kathy is also represented in the Philadelphia area by The Chestnut Hill Gallery on Germantown Avenue.

Education and Activities:

1982, University of the Arts, BFA
1982-1991, Freelance artist

Selected Activities, 2000 to Present:
Instructor Basic Acrylic Painting, AAH, Harrisburg, PA
Instructor Multi Media Kid's Camp, AAH, Harrisburg, PA
2007 AIS Annual Juried Exhibition, Hilligoss Gallery, Chicago, IL
4 Artist Group Show at the Chestnut Hill Gallery, Philadelphia, PA May 2007
Demo/Lecture on Impressionist Portrait Painting at the Franklin County Art Alliance
American Impressionist Society, current Vice President
American Impressionist Society, Honorable Mention for Pink Ribbons, 2006 Annual National Juried Exhibition, Rockport , Texas
American Impressionist Society, 2005 Annual National Juried Exhibition, Taos , New Mexico
Artist in Action, featured on-site artist at The Village Artisans Gallery, Boiling Springs, Pennsylvania
62 Area Artists Do Lunch, Friends of Midtown, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, fundraising event for Loaves of Love HIV/AIDS kitchen and the Salvation Army

Artwork in various businesses in the Harrisburg area
Art Center School & Galleries, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania various shows for members, regional juried exhibitions, special exhibition for Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and cover contest winner for the Art Center newsletter.
Art Association of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, member shows
New Cumberland Library, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania, featured artist
Oyster Mill Playhouse, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, featured artist

Paintings in private collections
Pennsylvania en Plein Air Society, various shows throughout northeastern Pennsylvania
York Art Association, York, Pennsylvania, Regional Juried Exhibition