Kathy Palmer’s art beginnings were humble, to say the least. In her seventh-grade art class she received a "D" but, although discouraging, it was not to be the final word on her creative talents. It wasn’t until she went to Sacramento State University that she again took art classes. She began with ceramics but she thought her efforts were heavy and clumsy so she tried painting.

First she enrolled in an oil class but asked the instructor if she could use acrylics instead because she didn’t like working with oil and mineral oil. The following year she dropped painting and took up crafts, which eventually included knitting, crocheting, Tole painting and Mod Podge. Sewing was also a favorite. Palmer became highly skilled, sewing clothes for herself, including her wedding dress and the wedding dress of her sister, as well as taking on home decorating and upholstery projects. Quilting came next and she made quilts for her sisters and lap quilts for her nieces and nephews.

When Palmer moved to Sun City in 2006, she enrolled in a calligraphy class and began making cards and illustrating them with different kinds of art. A friend introduced her to a weekly art class taught by an artist at the Jewish Community Center. In addition, she traveled to Queen Creek for a weekend of special instruction.

COVID ended her classes but she turned to YouTube for lessons in watercolor. She joined Palo Verde Artists afterward to take classes and meet with other artists. Palmer began by enrolling in drawing and watercolor classes, including a batik watercolor class, which she especially loved. In addition, she has taken workshops in alcohol ink and intuitive watercolor. She feels workshops are a great way to experiment and to discover what you like and what you don’t like.

Palmer is currently working with a painting group at Bellevue Heights Church working in acrylics, about which she says, “So far, so fun!”

Last year, Palmer assisted with the Palo Verde Artists show during the Fall Arts and Crafts Festival. She serves as club secretary for Palo Verde Artists.

Membership in Palo Verde Artists is $10 per year and is open to Recreation Centers of Sun City cardholders only.

Visit paloverdeartists.com for more information.