This month our Artist Spotlight features Kathy McKenzie ofDragonflight Studio . She took some time out from her busy painting schedule to answer a few of our questions. This months interview is special because we added questions that a few of our Fallen Leaves members sent in! So don’t miss out on this fun read!
How did
you get started painting model horses?
I’m not sure which happened first, getting a computer and getting on the internet,or my
first subscription to JAH and other hobby magazines, but I know that it was about 1994 and
that it was the beginning of the course my life takes to this day. A whole new world
opened up to me, I was enthralled with the CM’s I saw in
the magazines, the articles on repainting techniques, the sales lists. I became very
serious about learning how to do my own customs. I bought a copy of Carol Williams
“Color Formulas and Techniques” and a set of oil paints and I was off!
Do you have a favorite color that you like to paint the most?
Oh goodness – I really enjoy quite a few, don’t know if I can pick just *one*! How about
three, in no particular order? Dappled greys, bays ( dappled or not ), and sooty dappled
buckskins.
Everyone mainly thinks of you as an artist but as a collector what do you collect
the most of? OF’s, resins, etc…..
Oh, as far as sheer numbers go, I DO have more OF plastics, somewhere in the range of
300-350 or so? I suppose I have around 100 or so resins/CM’s and actively will show about
70 of those. I take so many resins (and a few CM’s ) to shows that I just do not have the
space in my car, or show table, for any OF’s, though I do still love them and do have some
very nice OF’s As far as what I really feel I collect? I heart is more with the resins
than anything else – they are more my passion, the OF’s are more for “just fun.”
Have you thought about sculpting a resin of your own?
Oh, no no no ….. 
What mediums and techniques do you use now, and which would you like experiment in
the future?
I prefer airbrushing and hand detailing. I’ve experimented quite a bit in the past and am
pretty happy, for now, with how I do things and the techinques I use. That could change at
a moment’s notice though – I always keep my eyes and mind open. Nothing is ever set in
stone.
What kind of back ground did you have in art before you started painting model
horses?
I have a degree in art – with an emphasise in drawing.
What are your artistic influences?
All that I see around me, seriously. We are surrounded by a world of light, color, and
beauty. Of course, real live, snorting and breathing, horses are the greatest inspiration
of them all.
When did you start collecting model horses? and what was your first model?
Some of my earliest memories are of the toy horses my Mom used to bring home for me, I
couldn’t even venture to guess my age when I got my first one. She’d bring me Japanese
chinas, Hartlands, and a Breyer every great once and a while. My very first Breyer was a
bay running foal, I *think*. That or a palomino FAF.
Do you have any tips for begining artist to better their painting?
I know it sounds trite, but pratice and time make ALL of us better. The day I stop
learning and growing as an artist is the day I lay down and die. There is always room to
grow, for all of us.
What do you hope to accomplish/learn this year?
My personal life is so topsy-turvy this year that I’ll be happy if I can just keep
painting and moving forward as an artist. It’s not bad stuff going on with me, on the
contrary actually, but boy, it sure is distracting!
What other interests do you have outside of the Model horse world?
I collect ultra-cool “Vaseline” glass ( it’s made with uranium in it and it
GLOWS under a black light, it is SO awsome ) and am VERY much into cars, whether it’s
showing my 1987 Camaro at local car shows, or obsessing over NHRA drag racing. If I won
the lottery tomorrow the drag racing would be what I’d really want to do with my life. I
have about a bazillion other little “side interests” though – so many things
that pique my imagination and fire my spirit.
Do you like to listen to music while you paint and if so what kind of music?
Sometimes I do – I’m fully into heavy metal and progressive rock.
What scale of models do you like/prefer to work on?
Trads – though none of the other sizes bother me at all.
Do you get any vacation time and if so, wheres your favorite place(s) to visit?
I do, but I usually do something model related with that time, like Breyerfest. This
summer I hope to sneak off to L.A. for a few days though ( non-model related ), on top of
Breyerfest.
What was your first job, and did you ever envision yourself working on model
horses full time back then?
Real job? A waitress. No idea back then about painting model horses for a living,
that was a long long time ago ( like 1977 or so ).
What was your first custom/sculpture? Do you still have it?
An old mold SM Arab stallion, a black and white tobiano, and I do still have him.
Being a wonderful, amazing artist, and creating so many beautiful pieces, do you
collect any pieces from other talented artists or just your own?
I like to have horses done by friends of mine, that’s usually about it.
Do you ever find yourself stuck in a creative rut? If so, what do you do to get
out of it?
Nope, knock wood. I’ve been very lucky in that regard.
Do you live or photo show any of the horses that you create?
I like to live show when I get the chance.
What other artist/sculptor/hobbiest do you most admire?
I’m a total freak for Sarah Rose’s resins!
How many years have you been in the hobby?
Actually *in* the hobby? Since 1995.
All Photos are property of Kathy McKenzie
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