Kassie Hennessey
Painting / drawing / mixed media (2 dimensional)
Artist Statement
When Feathers Appear, my studies in graphite, this body of work, now pastel and
pigmented pencil, began with the
beckoning sound of birdsong. Usually in the woods, frequently
by the shore, birdsong filled the air. It became the soundtrack
of my life, it would seem. I was aware and I appreciated all that
was before me. One day, life changed for me, as it does for everyone. After experiencing
profound loss, I rarely heard or even
enjoyed the birdsong. I began to look down. I began to wrap
myself in deep thoughts of all that I had lost. Still wandering in the
woods, still finding myself by the shoreline, I eventually began
to see, and I began to look for signs...signs of forward thinking,
signs of hope.
And feathers appeared before me.
Hope is a thing with feathers
That perches in the soul
And sings the tune without the words
And never stops at all
Emily Dickinson 1891
Artist Bio
Kassie Hennessey, artist. Took me a long time to be comfortable making that claim, but I here I am.
I currently work in graphite and pigmented pencil, and pastel. I studied at Wittenberg University in Ohio. I have always been part of the group who got attention for my work, though I did not ever feel that I should have been, for I am insecure as hell. I always felt that everyone knew more and did better. Eventually, I settled on clay and ran businesses of my own-one wholesale-and one retail. I ended up as a sculptor.
When working in clay, I was involved in several Maine-based artist associations which supported thriving art communities through exhibitions and workshops, while building and promoting sales for Maine- based artists. I had booths in many juried shows which were sponsored by these groups, and I was represented at trade shows across the United States. I had many relationships with National Park Service and affiliations with museums and small galleries.
A profound life change brought me back to drawing. As I did when working in clay, I become utterly fixated on nature, creating a focused body of work in a solitary environment.