I have found my penguins!
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Cathy Rogers, Portrait Society of America member
My name is Cathy Rogers, and I have been a member of the Portrait Society of America since October 2011. I attended my very first conference in Philadelphia the following Spring. I remember so clearly Mr. Edward Jonas, Chairman of the PSoA, standing at the podium saying that we would meet other artists that would become our lifelong friends. I thought to myself “not me…people don’t like me.” You see I am a penguin living in a world of sparrows, robins, and blue jays in a small suburb outside Cleveland Ohio. I didn’t think there were any portrait artists in Ohio, let alone anywhere near me. So, I was so excited to be at my first PSoA conference among so many penguins!
I was delighted to see the works included in the Members Only Competition that year and beyond shocked to find that among the amazing works included, were paintings by Judy Takács and Stanka Kordic, who both lived very close to my home town here in Ohio. I immediately sent Judy a message on Facebook and now Judy, Stanka, and other amazing artists of Ohio including Leslie Adams, Jamie Lindholm, and Mary Urbas are my lifelong penguins—all thanks to the PSoA.
I have cherished our time together as a group visiting museums throughout Ohio. We were so excited to attend the opening receptions for the awe-inspiring solo exhibitions of PSoA Advisory Board members, Daniel Greene, Rhoda Sherbell and Mary Whyte, at the Butler Institute of American Art. Later, we were thrilled to meet back at the Butler to see the stunning solo exhibitions of Max Ginsburg and Sherrie McGraw. Wonderful days were also spent together at the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Kehinde Wiley retrospective at the Toledo Museum of Art. These experiences and friendships became such a meaningful part of my life.
Earlier this year, the ladies honored me with “A Day of Cathy” at the Butler and in March, they came to visit my home for a drawing workshop. After a wonderful lunch, we set up our easels and spent the afternoon drawing together, with Leslie as our model. Our conversation throughout the day flowed so easily that it felt like we had all known each other for a lifetime, and by the end none of us wanted it to end. In true artist fashion, I sent each of my penguins home with a sketchbook and art supplies that I hope will remind them how much this day meant to me.
I am now nearing the end of my life and currently in Hospice care after battling breast cancer for nine years. I cannot believe these amazing and very busy women would take the time out of their lives to do this workshop for me. While I believe it is so important to support our young women who are becoming great artists, it is also important to comfort the ones who are leaving us. I have been learning to be an artist since I was big enough to hold a pencil. It is all I have ever wanted to do. My life has taken many turns and finding the time to paint has become a luxury, but, as challenging as it is, I am still painting.
The Portrait Society of America changed my life. Through this organization I have learned so much. It has supplied me with valuable information as well as access to the best portrait artists in the world. I am blessed to have these amazing art ladies of Ohio as my own personal tribe of penguins and without the PSoA it would not have been possible. Thank you, my dear friend Christine, and everyone at the Portrait Society of America.
With love and gratitude,
Cathy Rogers
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