Snowy Day Power Plant by Kay Jeansonne, Oil on Canvas
Artist Biography
Kay was born in south Louisiana. Her journey into art started early, watching her dad draw and paint. With supportive parents who would supply her with any art supplies she wanted or needed, she was on her way. Early on she copied Disney characters and Norman Rockwell paintings, which led her to drawing from her own imagination.
She received a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from Louisiana State University as well as a Master of Education from Louisiana University. In moving to Colorado in 1995, Jeansonne said, “I wanted to paint where it is beautiful. I love the mountains, the sky, the colors and the variety of landscapes here. And I like the distances, from the mountains to the deserts.” For the next 18 years Kay studied with Carolyn Anderson, Eric Bransby, Chuck Mardosz, and Matt Smith, which helped her direct her works. She began showing her paintings in galleries in Denver, Colorado Springs, and Santa Fe, among other cities.
In 2002, she founded the Cottonwood Center for the Arts in Colorado Springs. “Cottonwood” is now housed in a 40,000 square foot building, with 75 artist studios, two art galleries, and the Cottonwood Artists’ School. During that time, Kay estimated that about 40% of her time was dedicated to painting. Now, it is 90%. “It’s always been my goal to paint full time”, and she is near that. She adds “I like to paint at night”, and with a studio in her westside home, as well as in “Cottonwood”, she can do that.
