KAROLANN  HOELTZLE
On the last day of school, in second grade, my art
teacher asked what I wanted to be when I grew up.  A
broad grin spread over his face when I answered, "an art
teacher just like you!"  That was in 1958.
Over the years, my life was rerouted by marriage and the
privilege of raising three daughters and a son. In 1995 I
finished a Masters degree in Christian Counseling from
Liberty University.  However, a brain injury caused me to
have to abandon the pursuit of a counseling career.
Eleven years passed and in 2006, at the age of 57, I was
extremely happy to meet my biological family for the first
time. I found that I had four sisters and a wonderful
extended family history.  I also discovered that several
family members possess innate artistic abilities. As a new
member of my bio-family, I felt a need to explore the
possibility of my original love of artistic expression. The
attempt was made as I picked up colored pencils ( I used
to use them in school to fill in maps in geography class).  
Since I was raising milking goats, they became my
subjects. I have since been challenged and have
enjoyed drawing a variety of objects, scenery and
animals.  I have especially become fond of the challenge
of drawing lifelike characteristics into a pet portrait.
In these past four years, I have been able to develop a
style of colored pencil art that has become very detailed
and lifelike.  In addition, I have discovered the use of
color and application that will allow me a somewhat  
photographic replication.  I like to use several
photographs of the subject I am working on as I
reproduce an animal or  scene.  Accurate and well
focused photographs are useful tools as I work because
of the hours involved and a need for reference in
completing a colored pencil project.  It  takes an average
of 40 hours to work through a project to completion.  In
addition, I enjoy drawing scenes and backgrounds that
seem to create themselves as I work, some call it
imagination!   I am especially pleased with my work when
people recognize that what is portrayed is realistic,
whether it be an object, a scene, or an animal.  One of
the latest additions to my portfolio is "Abbi". In her
portrait, she has been reported to move her eyes and
follow an onlooker to and fro' as they move side to side
and maintain eye contact with her. I am challenged most
when I am required to achieve some color or texture I
have never tried before, and just completed my first
human portrait .  As a self taught artist, my motivation
comes in the form of "surprise" when a work develops in
front of me. With only 4 years of experience in colored
pencil  art, it is also motivating to see others enjoy the
work I do.  
In spite of my disability, I have been able to again
appreciate that I have rediscovered my artistic ability.  I
am very thankful for the encouragement of my best
friend Paul and family.  I am also thankful for the
opportunities I have had to become a member of the
extremely talented artistic family in the Jefferson County
and Clearfield County areas. I am a member of the
Colored Pencil Society of America and of the
Susquehanna River Art Center.  I have enjoyed
exhibiting at fairs and juried art exhibits. I have displayed
my art during DuBois Art Festival, and have just become
a member of  Winkler Gallery of Fine Art.  It is hard for
me to believe that I have enjoyed returning to "doing" art
and that I have received several awards while having
been able to watch a forgotten talent develop into "art"!
Original Photo
Final Colored Pencil Drawing
Abbi
Athena
Bass
Big Buck
Bulldog
Kid in the Bathroom
Maggie
Blue's Birthday
Smokin' Tractors
Created and designed by the
Winkler Gallery of Fine Art

All works property of the individual artist of the Winkler Gallery
Unauthorized Reproduction strictly Forbidden.