Welcome!  My name is Kathryn Rodenbach, my friends and family know me as Kate.  I have had a lifelong interest in art cultivated at a very early age.  I grew up in a small town in rural Illinois in a family where creativity was always encouraged.  My formative years were spent pursuing various arts and crafts including painting, making greeting cards, papermaking, bookmaking and beaded jewelry.  Landing a job in registration at the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 1996 was a dream come true.  I found endless sources of inspiration in the varied collections, but could not find the time to pursue my artistic endeavors.  After five years with the IMA my contract ended and I found myself between positions and looking for a creative outlet.  I began taking classes at the Indianapolis Art Center in various media before returning to my first love, painting.  After being coerced by several friends to take a Non-Objective Abstract Painting class, I have found myself exploring new directions in my art.  I would have described myself previously as a realistic painter; now I prefer to think of myself as a lifelong student of all forms of painting.  I enjoy the exploration of shape and color and find each new painting a learning experience with lessons that carry into my next artistic endeavor.  I draw inspiration from many sources, but find my greatest stimulus comes from natural organic shapes, textures and colors.  I do still enjoy making jewelry and dabbling in bookarts and find my exploration of color and design in painting influences my other interests in creative ways.