Mango Tango Art Gallery unveils the stellar Kat Stevens exhibition: “9 Lives at Once,” at a reception from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10. The 28 oil-on-canvas paintings shine as abstract and abstract figurative expressionist works, which is a style in homage to her mentor, Mel McCuddin.
Seeking inspiration, Stevens asked herself what is the smallest amount of joy for her. Laying just one color on the palette or maybe a few experimental mixes, looking for that flash, she had no direction in mind except for layers of color, and as McCuddin suggested, she looked at the canvas and waited until something looked back at her.
Her largest piece is actually 10 pieces, a polyptych of museum-wrapped canvas representing a tree. And this tree represents a balanced and peaceful life with tolerance and unity. The goal is freedom, joy and growth. In seeking to get back to the center and connect back to purpose and passion, Stevens heads toward nature, appreciating beauty, helping and giving and loving others, and going inward to find that connection to everything.
Kat’s interest in the arts is lifelong. She spent her earliest years in a small town in Indiana and as a teenager moved with her family to Cincinnati. But in those days, her art was just a hobby. She took a drawing class outside of school while in junior high school, but for the most part, she is self-taught, gleaning guidance from books and from viewing other artists’ work.
In college, she studied English and briefly considered pre-med. Then she spent many years in the restaurant business. In the 90s, she moved with her then-husband, a chef, to St. Thomas, where she “fell in love with the island.” She landed a job in charter boat services and transitioned from that to selling yacht vacations. She had a few “great jobs,” but nothing turned into a career.
About 12 years ago, a friend wanted a sign for his business. He knew she was talented and asked her to make it. She eventually branched out from sign-making to other production art, such as Christmas ornaments. Kat exhibits regularly at Mango Tango Art Gallery and has participated in many art shows in the past decade.
“It’s been a lot of hard work to get known here,” she said. But she’s making her living now doing what she loves. Stevens donates works for various events and fundraisers, including the Bastille Day Fishing Tournament, the Children’s Museum and the Family Resource Center.
“People should give where their heart is,” she said. She’s looking now for organizations that protect and preserve coral reefs. “The prettiest part of the island is underwater. They’re not too many places I’m happier than on the water.”
Except, maybe, in an art studio.
The evening’s festivities will include the soulful sounds of Sammy Watts and Ras Abu in the gallery’s parking lot where appetizers and spirits will be served.
In addition to fine art showcased in the gallery, baskets and tables are brimming with global hand-crafted gifts for the holidays.
For more information on her six weeks show, call 777-3060. View Stevens’ work on the gallery’s website:
https://www.mangotangoart.com/kat-stevens-9-lives-at-once/
