Katheryn Pourcho is an artist and art educator. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts Education from Ball State University. She studied oil painting under artists CW Mundy, Pam Newell, and Thomas Kegler. She painted in residency at La Romita School of Art in central Italy. In 2016, she received the Lily Endowment Teacher Creativity Fellowship to study theology and plein air painting in the footsteps of Vincent Van Gogh. In 2020, she was named Indiana Teacher of the Year.
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.” —Vincent Van Gogh
When I see a painting hanging on a museum wall, I wonder about the series of moments that the artist experienced while in possession of the canvas. The bug that landed on the freshly brushed paint. The music that was playing in the background. The unexpected visitor.
I am often delightfully surprised by unexpected moments like these. Like the time I forgot my brushes and ended up painting with a stick. Or, the time I traded a painting to an elderly man in Auver-Sur-Oise for a toffee.
Sometimes these moments result in strong human connection. Painting along the Promenade des Anglais days after the Bastille Day terrorist attack led to a beautiful conversation with a lovely local. She shared with me her harrowing story as I painted. That small painting now hangs in her apartment along the Promenade.
Whether serendipitous or poignant, these moments are woven in brushstrokes and layers of paint. I attempt to collect and share the moments I encounter through onsite photos and recorded prose. My hope in sharing these moments along side the work is that the viewer may retrospectively join me in that moment as they view the finished work.
(Photo credit: (top) Rebecca Shehorn)
Vincent Van Gogh would love Instagram.
In his letters to his brother, Theo, he often wrote detailed descriptions of the locations where he set up his easel. His sketches of these compositions lined the borders and filled the backs of these painterly updates.
I savor getting to know the context behind the work of my favorite artists. Learning the place and process behind a work of art is as moving as seeing the work in person. I feel as if I’ve been invited into their inner world, like a friend over for tea.
My Instagram account offers a congenial nod to letters from Vincent as I share photos of my easel on location.
1 Grant. 3 Countries. 35 Canvases. 2 Sketchbooks. 48 days.
In January 2016 I received the Teacher Creativity Fellowship. Each year the Lilly Endowment Inc. selects 100 teachers to receive a generous grant that enables teachers to pursue, explore, and renew their creative passions.
My journey began in The Netherlands, where I studied the work of Francis Schaeffer (theologian) and Hans Rookmaaker (art historian) at a learning center called L'Abri. From there I followed the footsteps of theologian turned artist, Vincent van Gogh. My pilgrimage took me from the flat Dutch countryside, to the steep mountains of Switzerland, and finally in a wide loop around the French countryside.
Throughout the trip I lugged a 50 lb case filled with paints, canvases, easel, and numerous other supplies. As I followed the path Vincent van Gogh took, I painted and sketched at the exact locations of some of his masterpieces. I filled two journals and two sketchbooks with research, memories, sketches, and watercolors. I traveled with a couple of my closet friends and I met many wonderful people along the way. I returned rejuvenated and ready for my sixth year teaching at North Elementary.
The experience provided rich insight into the life and work of my favorite artist. After experiencing the hot sun and strong gusts of wind in the south of France that caused my easel to fall over and fling my canvas yards away, its no longer a wonder why van Gogh began using such bold, thick, and windy brushstrokes!
I returned with a fresh perspective that provided both courage to reenter my studio and enthusiasm to pour into my classroom.
"… and now I perceive already that it did me good to go into the South the better to see the North."
--Vincent van Gogh
When I began painting plein air, I quickly realized the value of lightweight, practical, and reliable equipment. I spent hours reading artist blogs, watching YouTube videos, and gleaning wisdom from artist mentors. Here’s what I found:
Daytripper by Prolific Painter I can’t say enough good things about this easel. Although I do have friends who have engineered their own rugged and lightweight easel, I was quite content not to re-invent the wheel for myself. Both the easel and palette attach to my tripod. It takes me a little less than 5 minutes to set-up and take down. While the easel is quite compact, the spacious palette gives me the freedom to be liberal with my application of the paint.
Exped Mountain Pro 20 This rugged pack is water-proof and lightweight. The 20L is a tight fit, so it forces me to pack only the essentials. The daisy-chain loops are perfect for strapping on my tripod, umbrella, & canvases.
Water-soluble Oil Paint I’ve grown quite attached to water-soluble oils. Quick clean-up, less toxic, and still just as vibrant.
Best Brella This umbrella easily clips onto my tripod to provide shade and shelter. Although it can be prone to turning into a sail on windy days, I find I can keep it weighted down by attaching my pack to the bottom of the tripod. While I don’t always use it, it is essential on those days of high sun or drizzling rain.
Wet Painting System I have artist, Pam Newell, to thank for this ingenious system. It’s simple, flexible, and inexpensive. All that is required for this DIY wet-canvas system are suitcase organizers, masonite panels (in coordinating sizes), cabinet door stoppers, jumbo binder clips, artist tape, & primed canvas/linen pads.
When traveling on extended painting excursions, I bring along a portfolio pouch to store the dried paintings.
While I do own and use a wet canvas carrier box, I find this DIY system ideal for extensive travel and excursions off the beaten path.
