An Interview with Thomas Conrad, Virginia Corwin, Lynda Elias, Kathleen Kahn, Kris Hyland Kolb, Richard Kolb, Benny Shoults, and Ray Wollschleger

Opening Doors: Artists from Delaware’s Northwest Neighborhood is at City Art Center through March 31, 2013.

Where and when do you get your best creative work done?

RAY WOLLSCHLEGER: My creativeness comes in spurts. I have to think about a peice for awhile, then I start. With a portrait, it’s the eyes. I do them first. Once they’re done, I’m inspired to complete the rest of the face. I work in sections…cheeks, nose, lips, jaw. I like portrait work because I get the opportunity to attempt to feel the persons soul and interpret it onto a sheet of paper. I get to capture someone in a moment of time and immortalize them for as long as that painting will last. It shows that they were here for a brief moment in history.

Mrs. W by Ray Wollschleger, pastels, 2012

TOM CONRAD: I do my most creative work in my studio at home. Sometimes an idea takes days or weeks to mature before I sit down to draw or to paint. Sometimes an idea comes like a flash and know that I want to try to implement it. There is no simple answer to this question. I came to doing art late in my life and I do it when the spirit moves me.

Sunset at Lakeside by Tom Conrad, pastel painting, 2012

BENNY SHOULTS: I have at times started with tools and materials with no particular direction to create something, but it’s more often that I begin with an idea. The idea can from anywhere, but generally when I’m alone in a contemplative state, say out in nature, someplace inspiring like where art is being displayed, or when I’m inspired from reading and even occasionally television.

Fragile are the Hearts by Benny Shoults, wood, found objects, paint, 2013

In the Opening Doors group show at City Art Center, nine artists share the gallery.  What new perspective about your pieces do you get when you see them displayed in the same room with other art?

LYNDA ELIAS: On the day we put up our work at City Art Center, I stood back and looked around the room after the art was put up. I realized how varied and individual art work can be. I had never seen some of my fellow artist’s work and after talking to them about their art, I felt I had learned something interesting or personal about each one and knew each person a little better. This reinforced my belief that art should be unique and we each are offering a personal view of how we see the world. We should find that personal vision that makes us unique and offer it in our creations.

Cactus Garden in Southern California Diptych by Lynda Elias, mixed media on canvas, 2013
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KRIS HYLAND KOLB: 
I think that this is a terrific show and I want to commend Benny for coming up with the idea. I like the way that we each took a section of the gallery and hung our pieces the way we wanted them. There is an individuality to the display of each person’s artwork that blends well with the uniqueness of everyone’s style. And it was fun working with all of our neighbors artistically.

Building Blocks #2: The Harding Memorial by Kris Hyland Kolb, digital photography, 1999


How would you describe the role that your family has played in your development as an artist?

RICHARD KOLB: My wife, Kris, put a camera in my hands about 15 years ago and if not for that, I would not be in the artistic place I am now. Kris and I are a great artistic team. We are always using the opinions of the other to make our own work the best it can be. I have learned so much from her about my craft. And frequently we each will use a photo taken by the other to work on as a collaborative piece.

A Delicate Balance by Richard Kolb, digital photography, 2008

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VIRGINIA CORWIN: I have a large and diverse family and can count on them to keep me supplied with interesting materials to use in my art work. I never know when someone will show up with an item they think I might be able to use in one of my creations. It is surprising how often I find uses for these treasures (old windows, barn wood pieces, tiles, etc.) I can also count on them to come to my rescue when I need help with a project.

Wildflowers by Virginia Corwin, stained glass, 2013

KATHLEEN KAHN: It’s funny – the first thing that popped into my head was a group of young artists I shared studio space with almost twenty years ago. The concept of family is different at different times in our lives. At the time I started drawing and taking art classes, I was really very alone. I had just ended my first post-college job, I had moved to a new city, was living alone, and I was really searching for something outside of my career to feel satisfied about. While that alone state is very conducive for task based learning, I did not find any real inspiration for WHAT I wanted to create until I was again a part of a “family.” I find that’s true now, too. For me, a family situation leads to inspiration which leads to more creative experiences.

Cellofly IV by Kathleen Kahn, watercolor, 2011
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Click here for more information about the exhibit.