It’s easy to see why Kasey Kaufman describes many of her paintings as “dreamscapes,” since they’re filled with flowing waves, graceful clouds, and abstract buildings, among other elements.
If her name rings a bell, it’s because Kaufman was well known on Boston TV as an award-winning reporter at WBZ.
A Newton resident since 1998, the journalist is having artwork featured at Elizabeth Home Décor & Design (242 Commonwealth Avenue), now through early February.
“I love when people have a second career,” said store owner Elizabeth Benedict about one reason she was excited to host Kaufman’s work. Benedict says she enjoys introducing artists to the community and holds new exhibits every two months. “We’re looking for new artists all the time,” including students from local universities and other New England-area creators.
“This is a vibrant community for artists and the arts,” Kaufman said. In addition to living and painting in the city, she has participated in Newton Open Studios and is a member of the Newton Art Association.
While Kaufman’s work has been featured in gallery exhibitions and is held in several prominent collections, she did not come from a studio art background.
After retiring from TV journalism, starting her own production company, and writing a screenplay, Kaufman said, “I decided to embrace this inner desire to learn more about art.”
While she appreciated different creators’ works and studied art history, she never imagined she’d actually start a new career in the field.
“I looked at art as something that had this gate or barrier to entry,” said Kaufman. However, around 2018 she decided to take baby steps, trying out different media. She now creates pieces using mainly acrylic paints.
Kaufman enrolled in workshops and classes, a few generous artists took her under their wing, and “I started sketching,” she said. She also likes teaching herself and deconstructing images.
Another important step in her journey came after Kaufman created an Instagram account (@365pears) with the intention of drawing a pear each day for a year. After a few weeks, however, she decided to expand beyond the fruit, and broadened her subject matter.
Often working on several pieces at the same time, she said, “I’m a very fast painter.” She also enjoys going over an image multiple times and layering paint to get the final piece just right.
After she began to sell her pieces on Instagram, in 2020, a gallery in Stowe, Vermont, began featuring her paintings of colorful barns. Her first solo show was held at a now-closed shop where she sold an impressive 40-50 paintings.
“I was so lucky,” said Kaufman.
In addition to being featured at Elizabeth Home Décor & Design, furniture company Maine Cottage will be producing prints of some of her paintings after the company’s CEO started following her on Instagram.
With local and national success, Kaufman relishes the time she spends each day in her studio expressing herself.
Glad that she pushed beyond her concerns that there are barriers to entering the art world, she said that “what I learned is, [art] is open to anybody.”
