With 10 “rescue kitties” at home, Red Deer artist Natalie Schmidt is in no danger of running out of animal subjects to paint.
Her feline menagerie provided the inspiration for the 15 expressive paintings in Schmidt’s first art exhibit, Cat-a-tude, showing to the end of the month at the Viewpoint Gallery in Red Deer’s downtown culture services building.
By using bold, contrasting backgrounds and assured brush strokes, Schmidt has given plenty of personality to the cats she depicts on canvas.
But then those who know the 39-year-old artist realize she has a good measure of self-confidence.
Schmidt, who has developmental disabilities, was selected to bowl in the Special Olympics in Sudbury, Ont., and decided to study to become a self-advocate and participate in various programs at the Central Alberta Residence Society.
Last year, she signed up for regular painting classes for adult artists, offered by the City of Red Deer’s culture services department, and showed she has a lot of natural talent.
Getting the chance to hang out with people her own age is a lot of the fun, Schmidt admits.
“The adults help me when I need help,” says the artist, who’s been putting her own colour ideas forward and also getting input from her instructor, Erin Boake.
Boake thought Schmidt’s striking paintings were worthy of a public exhibit and helped her mount the show.
“Her work is honest, charming and really beautiful, because it comes from the heart,” says the instructor.
Boake realizes it’s important for Schmidt to be accepted in a classroom of other adults. She also knows “art has been a great outlet for her to express herself, and it’s something she loves doing.”
Schmidt feels it’s been a good experience to have her work seen by others, and to get feedback from viewers.
“They’ve told me it’s nice work…”
She grew up in Red Deer and Huxley doing various crafts. Schmidt has taken part in arts drop-in classes at the Red Deer Museum and Art Gallery.
She graduated from the transitional vocation program at Red Deer College, has worked at Tim Hortons, and done volunteering.
Schmidt, who lives with her family, said she will continue taking art classes and painting cats.
“I also like butterflies…”
