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I'm Kathy Lynch.
I am a Queens-born illustrator, high school teacher, and caffeine junkie. Currently obsessed with: Frank's hot sauce, my two kitties, and all things comic book/graphic novel related. Keep scrolling for the longer version!
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I did not always know I wanted to "be an artist when I grew up."
I mean, if you ask my mom, she always knew. When I was six years old, I drew pictures for literally every person at my grandpa's birthday party. I wouldn't let them leave without something I had drawn. I could keep myself entertained for hours with multicolored ball point pens. (That one's still true, actually...)
But when I was graduating high school, I was certain I was going to study politics, work on political campaigns, and eventually go to law school so I could yell at Congress for being Congress. That was 2010, and while it's possible Congress still needs yelling at, that is so not the path I wound up on.
One of my best friend's grandfathers died, and I rushed home for the funeral. "Thank you so much for coming Kathy," his father told me. "How is architecture going? And do you still paint?" I stopped short. I didn't paint anymore. While this was in the midst of many other Big Life Moments at the time, but this was the one that sticks with me. "It's GREAT." I told him. And I marched home, and announced that I was applying to transfer to art school. Luckily I have the world's most supportive parents, and all they said was, "Great! Where are we going?"
And so I wound up at Savannah College of Art and Design for a BFA in Architectural History. These were amazing, amazing years. I washed them down with another couple of years studying Architectural History at the University of Virginia for my first masters. I met the most amazing people at both places, learning mindwarpingly cool things and only ever wanting more. I assumed I would work in a museum or doing research, or something else fabulous like that.
But when I was graduating high school, I was certain I was going to study politics, work on political campaigns, and eventually go to law school so I could yell at Congress for being Congress. That was 2010, and while it's possible Congress still needs yelling at, that is so not the path I wound up on.
One of my best friend's grandfathers died, and I rushed home for the funeral. "Thank you so much for coming Kathy," his father told me. "How is architecture going? And do you still paint?" I stopped short. I didn't paint anymore. While this was in the midst of many other Big Life Moments at the time, but this was the one that sticks with me. "It's GREAT." I told him. And I marched home, and announced that I was applying to transfer to art school. Luckily I have the world's most supportive parents, and all they said was, "Great! Where are we going?"
And so I wound up at Savannah College of Art and Design for a BFA in Architectural History. These were amazing, amazing years. I washed them down with another couple of years studying Architectural History at the University of Virginia for my first masters. I met the most amazing people at both places, learning mindwarpingly cool things and only ever wanting more. I assumed I would work in a museum or doing research, or something else fabulous like that.
I should have known then that the girl
who pulled all nighters during finals week
to paint wedding portraits for her friends
was not done making art yet.
After gallivanting across the south for a few years, my northern roots got the best of me, and I wound up back in Queens. Surprise of all surprises, what I wanted more than anything was to make art. Maybe even teach it.
And so here I am, many years after that fateful conversation, grateful as all get-out that 18-year old me followed her instincts. Most days you can find me at work camped out with my face in a 3D printer, teaching the happiest digital art classes. My students create 3D animations, vector graphics, interior design projects, and digital paintings. (Among a smattering of more traditional, paper-based art.)
I am most likely drinking a cup of coffee (milk, no sugar, please), and doodling something in my daily planner. I love fantasy novels and superhero movies. My favorite thing in life is laughing, usually at my own corny jokes, doodling of course, and all kinds of storytelling.
Thanks for stopping by!
And so here I am, many years after that fateful conversation, grateful as all get-out that 18-year old me followed her instincts. Most days you can find me at work camped out with my face in a 3D printer, teaching the happiest digital art classes. My students create 3D animations, vector graphics, interior design projects, and digital paintings. (Among a smattering of more traditional, paper-based art.)
I am most likely drinking a cup of coffee (milk, no sugar, please), and doodling something in my daily planner. I love fantasy novels and superhero movies. My favorite thing in life is laughing, usually at my own corny jokes, doodling of course, and all kinds of storytelling.
Thanks for stopping by!