Editor’s note: At the time of publication, The Arts Council could not confirm if the exhibit would still open on April 15 due to coronavirus closures. Be sure to check back online for the most up-to-date information.
Kathyna Hatla is a mother, teacher, and artist. On April 15, the Arts Council of the Brazos Valley is scheduled to open a three-month exhibit of her paintings, kicking things off with an opening reception from 5:30 to 7pm that day.
The road Hatla took to get to this point wasn’t a straight one, however. She never expected anyone to see her paintings, and there was a time when she thought she’d never be able to paint again. Twenty-one years ago, Hatla walked into the emergency room and never walked again after being diagnosed with transverse myelitis. This inflammation of her spinal cord caused by a lesion in her neck damaged nerve cells and led to paralysis — at first from the neck down. She still uses a wheelchair now, but gradually she gained enough feeling in three fingers of her right hand to be able to hold a paintbrush.
“When I was in St. Joseph rehab, I tried to paint a picture, and I just couldn’t — my hand was shaking too much,” says Hatla. “That canvas sat in my closet until last fall, unfinished. My daughter pulled it out and said, ‘You know what would be really cool, mom? If you finished this painting.’ And I did, and it’s going to be one of the paintings in the exhibit.”
The exhibit will feature all of Hatla’s work, about 25 pieces. Though she’s been painting for 35 years, there was a five-year period where she didn’t have the strength or desire to paint at all, and since her paralysis, it takes a lot longer to complete each piece. Despite the extra effort required, she credits painting as the thing that distracted her from sorrow and pain.
“I kind of went through depression for about five years,” says Hatla. “It
was just like I was floating in a dark place. I didn’t really know where I was or what I was doing. About 10 years ago, though, we got my canvases back out, and my paint was so old that it was really thick, so that first painting I did has a lot of texture to it. Then I gradually did more and more. It’s an almost daily thing to go over and paint now. It’s certainly been an ongoing process. I have to constantly talk myself into it.”
The subjects Hatla paints have stayed mostly the same, but she says she notices a difference in style: the brushstrokes are less bold and confident. She has to do everything with one hand, which affects every part of the painting process from squeezing paint to adjusting the canvas without causing it to fall on top of her.
“I used to just paint little canvases because I can’t really reach [the top] … but I figured out I could turn the canvas upside down and paint it on its side,” says Hatla. “It’s kind of funny.”
Hatla’s unique painting technique, and her tenacity to continue to create and teach at a local private school despite all odds, inspired her future son-in-law, a filmmaker, to create a documentary about her story. Stephen O’Shea’s film will be shown in conjunction with the opening of the Arts Council exhibit. Hatla says O’Shea acts as her agent of sorts, encouraging her to show her artwork. He was the one who reached out to the Arts Council to inquire about hosting an exhibit through them.
“I never had formal training or art education; it’s something I’ve developed on my own, observing and watching Bob Ross videos or some other tutorials,” says Hatla. “I approach it as problem solving. Here’s this challenge: can I figure it out? I learn as I go.”
Hatla does oil on canvas, focusing mostly on landscapes, although she has a soft spot for abstract art. She’ll be at the opening reception to visit with people and explain the inspiration behind certain pieces.
“Someone told me one time to ‘paint what you know,’” says Hatla. “Discover what your passion is. For me, I paint places that were my favorite places to go. Since I can’t go there anymore, I live vicariously through expressing that in my paintings.”
Looking forward, Hatla plans to continue teaching and running the afterschool program at work, but she’s also considered writing an autobiography or children’s short stories. Of course, she says, she’ll continue to paint as long as she is able. Though she never painted for anyone but herself before, showcasing her work in exhibits and the possibility of doing commission work presents Hatla with her next challenge.
“I’m grateful to the Arts Council and humbled they’d consider displaying my work,” says Hatla. “I’m very appreciative. I’d encourage everybody to see any and all of the exhibits. It’s very fascinating to see the talent here in our community.”
