Kathy Swigon, CDA

  H’ARTWORKS

Kathy was born and raised in northern Indiana but has lived in several areas of the US as her husband, Frank’s, career offered the opportunities to do so.  They have 3 grown children and have actively participated in their competitive swimming careers.  Both Kathy and Frank are USA and NFIOA Swim Officials and continue to officiate at local, State  and National levels.

Kathy is a graduate of Indiana University and the University of Tennessee but found her passion for art when she joined a neighbor for a Tole Painting class in Vancouver, WA in 1979.   She was immediately hooked and has continued her artistic studies with  renowned teachers across the US. 

After moving to PA, Kathy taught Folk Art classes at both a local and home studio.  She also shared a working artists’ studio at the Artworks in Lititz, PA with several other artists.  It was during this stay in PA that she was introduced to the Society of Decorative Painters where she helped found the Penn’s Woods Painters Chapter.  She earned her Certified Decorative Artist award in 1990. Currently she is a member of Alamo Decorative Artists, Heart of Texas Tolers, Decorative Artists of Texas and Penn’s Woods Painters.

A move to North Carolina afforded Kathy the opportunity to teach seminars at Carolyn’s Folk Art shop in Charlotte.   She also began doing extensive commission work on murals, furniture, faux finishes and accessories for interior decorators and private clients.   She owned H’Artworks, a retail shop offering painted furniture and accessories at The Emporium in Salisbury, NC.

The latest move brought her to San Antonio, TX where she continues to work as a free-lance artist in the decorating field working with National home builders, has designed artwork for National advertisers, the Decorative Painter, Paintworks magazine, as well as teaching classes and seminars for studios, SDP Chapters, national and regional art conferences.    She continues to study with nationally known teachers and has completed courses at Anything But Plain School of decorative finishes in Houston and Vigini Art Studios in San Antonio.  She is available for custom designs as well as private classes and travel teaching.