Today we’d like to introduce you to Kay Hand.
Hi Kay, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path to becoming an exhibiting artist has been a long and winding one. Creativity has always been part of my life, but it didn’t begin with painting. Over the years I explored sewing, beading, assemblage, and other hands-on creative work. I’ve always been drawn to color, texture, and the simple pleasure of making things.
Eventually painting pulled me in and refused to let go. Abstract work, especially, felt like home because it allowed me to experiment and follow my instincts rather than trying to make something look “correct.” I usually start with a color or a mark and then respond to what the painting wants next. Sometimes it flows easily. Other times it’s a wrestling match. Either way, the process keeps me curious.
In recent years my work has been exhibited in galleries and juried shows around Texas and beyond. But the real story is that I’m still exploring. I’m in my eighties and still showing up in the studio, still pushing paint around, still wondering what might happen on the next canvas. That curiosity hasn’t faded—in fact, it may be stronger than ever.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road. Like most artists, I’ve had plenty of trial and error along the way. Finding your own voice takes time, and that often means making a lot of work that teaches you what doesn’t work before you discover what does.
Rejection is also part of the process. Juried exhibitions, gallery opportunities, and competitions don’t always go your way, and every artist has to learn how to keep moving forward anyway. Over time you realize that a “no” doesn’t mean stop—it just means keep working.
One of the bigger challenges has been learning to trust my own instincts rather than worrying about trends or expectations. The most satisfying work usually happens when I stop trying to make a “good” painting and simply follow my curiosity.
Creativity isn’t a straight road. It’s more like a long exploration, and I’m still enjoying the journey.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My work centers on abstract painting and mixed media, driven by a fascination with color, movement, and layered mark-making. I’m interested in the tension between control and spontaneity—how a painting can begin with a simple gesture and evolve through many layers until it finds its own rhythm and structure.
I work intuitively, often starting with bold color fields or energetic marks and then building complexity through texture, line, and unexpected shifts. The process becomes a kind of visual conversation. Some decisions are deliberate, others instinctive, and the balance between the two is what gives the work its energy.
Over the years I’ve explored a wide range of creative forms, including assemblage, ceramics, and mixed media, and that spirit of experimentation continues to shape my studio practice.
What sets my work apart is the sense of movement and vitality I try to capture on the canvas. I’m less interested in perfection than in creating paintings that feel alive.
Current available work and recent paintings can be seen on my website at kayhand.com.
What matters most to you? Why?
What matters most to me is staying curious and engaged with life. Curiosity is the spark behind creativity. It keeps me exploring new ideas in the studio and noticing possibilities I might otherwise miss.
Painting gives me a way to stay connected to that sense of discovery. Every canvas is an opportunity to experiment, take a risk, and follow a color somewhere unexpected. The moment when a painting suddenly comes alive is still as exciting to me as it ever was.
At this stage of my life I’m very aware that time is precious, so what matters most is continuing to create, learn, and share that creative energy with others.
And of course, life outside the studio matters too. My little dog Bella is often nearby while I’m working, keeping an eye on things and reminding me to take the occasional break.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kayhand.com
- Instagram: kayhand.art
- Facebook: kayhandstudio
