Cathy Dykstra
Acrylic and Watercolor Original Art performed in a contemporary, abstract, or modern way
Lowell Michigan

I have been interested in art for a long time and dabbled in various art projects over the years.  The first time I realized that I was attracted to it and that I was good at it was in college when I took a drawing class just for fun.  The teacher and her professor friend from Notre Dame were compiling my portfolio for me for entrance into Western Michigan University.  They were absolutely sure that I was going to be an art major and didn't realize that I had already several classes towards a different course of study.  As I continued on the original path in college I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics and Retail Management.  I worked in that field for 7 years and then settled down with my husband Gary and started a family.  We have two wonderful adult children Carrie and Gary age 27 and 25.  At that time I started a stay at home business with Mary Kay Cosmetics in order to have the flexibility I needed to raise my family, and have been a Director for the company for over 17 years. By being in the beauty business I have been involved in a form of artistic expression in helping women look beautiful.  I always knew that one day I would get more involved in art when the time allotted me. Four years ago I started taking watercolor classes with David Davis a wonderful artist and teacher who has influenced and encouraged many of us budding artists.  Art in my life now  has been a delightful and fulfilling time.  I totally enjoy the process of creating something.  It is exciting and very rewarding and seems to require trusting one's intuition, a looking to God, and down right courage to just put something on that paper!  It brings a joy, happiness, and balance to me that I hope inspires others as well.