"As in any journey, I am continually excited to start a painting because I never know exactly where the painting will take me – it is the delight of surprises discovered along the way. It is somewhat like heading out on a trip without an exact itinerary, knowing that some of life’s best moments are the unplanned ones. Unintended shapes taking form in the paint are often the spark, which begin each new painting: striped patterns become planted fields, and curved forms develop into gardens of flowers, or simple birds. I strive to create compositions, which exist with a degree of independence from the real world. The need to explore, discover, discover and investigate possibilities while continuously searching for new solutions is the driving force in my art. The versatility of acrylics combined with collage elements allow me the spontaneity and freedom I need for creative exploration. The prospect I enjoy the most in painting is the chance of discovery. I begin the process by layering, inscribing and scraping back paint to reveal hidden layers. The ability of acrylics to create multiple layers, forming texture, depth and history beneath the surface is fascinating. Constantly altering my initial inspiration, I prefer to leave glimpses of early layers, as a reminder of my original thought. My work is constantly evolving in the spirit of exploration and spontaneity. Discovering how to express the processes of nature and the passage of time through the patterns and irregularities found in the surface texture is my current preoccupation. I believe a painting should read strongly from a distance, yet when viewed at close range, the textures and layers of the surface become the primary interest. The creative journey, while not always direct, is invariably a delight, regardless of how many detours or how much backtracking occurs along the way. Each painting is a snapshot from the adventure that is my artistic journey.” Katherine Bourdon graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Central Michigan University. After teaching music for 30 years, she pursued graduate studies in art at Western Michigan University.