Meet The Artists

Artist:  Mary Pat Corder
Violin:  “Vincent’s Dog/Muse of Music” 

Mary Pat Corder is a professional artist and is the Art Teacher at St. Andrew the Apostle School.  She is a graduate of the University of Kansas and worked briefly for Hallmark Cards.  Living primarily in the Southern States for the last 30 years and while raising a family, Ms. Corder has continuously explored art in painting and sculpture.  Recently, she has had licensing of greeting cards and is currently writing a musical for children.   

Ms. Corder’s work is available for sale at Home Embellishments in Parkville and Defined Dwelling in Lee Summit.  Her website is:  http://www.marypatcorder.com 

Description of Violin: 
Vincent’s Dog – the dog is moved by the music of the night in a Van Gogh sky.  Materials used:  oil paint, wood stain, wood burning tool, old music score
Euterpe – the Greek Muse of Music.  Materials used:  acrylic paint, wood stain, silver leaf, gold paper, old music score

Artist:  Erin Davis
Violin:  “El Lenguaje de la Musica ~ The Language of Music”   

Erin Davis is a professional artist focused in the realm of creating sterling silver jewelry found in local stores and art shows.  Music and dance are other areas of noted passion for Ms. Davis; she is a piano instructor and also plays the violin.  Her artwork is inspired by many people, cultures, and nature.  Although Kansas City is her home, Ms. Davis notes that her intrigue of languages has led her to travel to other countries.  Her travels sparked an interest in the beauty of dances such as the Argentine Tango and other Latin rhythms.   

Some of Ms. Davis’ work can be viewed on her website:  www.inspiredbyerin.xbuild.com 

Description of Violin: 

Learning a language other than one’s own native tongue requires great effort.  Through work with children and their parents who primarily speak Spanish, this artist constantly witnesses the power of communication through music.  These interactions create inspiration for the artist to express the way in which music binds us as a people, overlooking language and culture. 

Artist:  Stephen F. Karol
Violin:  “ame de musique”

Steve Karol is a professional artist living in Liberty, MO and is employed by HMN Architects.  He has a Bachelor of Architecture degree from the University of Miami in Miami, Florida.  Mr. Karol has worked in the mediums of oils, acrylic, watercolor, mixed media, and photography; he is currently exploring manipulation of his own art and photography.  His main focus is landscapes and abstracts.  Mr. Karol describes his philosophy about art as an expression of three main concepts:  beauty, emotion, and idea.  As an artist, he feels an obligation to “…point out what is beautiful.”   

Mr. Karol’s work is available for sale at Northland Exposure Artist’s Gallery in Parkville, MO.  His work can be viewed on the following website:  www.northlandartists.com

Description of Violin:

The violin is mounted on 3 panels of wood that has been painted.  This idea was inspired by the shape of the violin and black & white of music sheets.  Through this piece, the artist hopes to express the idea that a musician becomes one with their instrument, creating the soul of music, “ame de musique.” 

Artist:  Cathy Kline
Violin: “Flight”

As a professional artist in the Kansas City area, Cathy Kline’s study of art has had a focus on portraiture. To the greatest extent, she has taken the foundation that portraiture has provided and has worked in various mediums such as oils & acrylic, interiors, landscape, still life, abstract, montage, and especially public & private murals.  Some of Mrs. Kline’s murals can be seen at Piropo’s in Parkville and at The Peach Tree in the Jazz District.

More of Mrs. Kline’s work is available for sale at Cathy Kline’s Art Gallery “The Great Escape” in Parkville. 

Description of Violin:

This violin was inspired by a famous violinist, La Donne Smith.  Having eight violins of her own, Smith explained that music from violins comes from the innermost box of the instrument and is transmitted through the “F-holes.”  Butterflies symbolize the music that takes flight.  Vintage sheet music beautifully surrounds the instrument.  The bars and notes are on the various butterflies, connecting the images of music.   

Artist:  Larry Roggenkamp
Violin:  “Milt” 

Larry Roggenkamp is a professional artist in the Kansas City area.  For many years, photography has been a passion for this artist.  Mr. Roggenkamp currently takes an artistic approach to images, starting with a photograph and making enhancements using computer software.  Mr. Roggenkamp is a member of the Northland Exposure Artist’s Gallery in Parkville, MO.

More of Mr. Roggenkamp’s work can be viewed on the Northland Exposure Artist’s Gallery website:  www.northlandartists.com 

Description of Violin:

Milt Abel has been one of this artist’s favorite local jazz musicians since 1970.  Milt died this year. 

Artist:  Herman A. Scharhag
Violin:  “Plaza Lights”

After a career of 40 years as a successful architect, Herman Scharhag has now embarked on a greater challenge:  to be one of the best watercolor artists in the area.  His architectural background, combined with form, sense of vivid color, and keen eye for beauty have produced many beautiful paintings.  His watercolors, in a wet and fluid style, express the spontaneity likened to the Impressionists, yet retain the rigid discipline of his background. 

Mr. Scharhag’s work can be viewed at the following locations:  Northland Exposure Artist Gallery in Parkville, Images II of K.C., as well as his personal studio. 

Description of Violin:

Created from original acrylic, this artist captured the beauty of a celebrated tradition unique to Kansas City:  the Plaza Lights.

Artist:  Diane Stolz
Violin:  “Classical Cherub Violin”

Diane Stolz is an award winning signature member of Kansas Watercolor Society and the Mid-America Pastel Society.  This professional artist is included in the juried exhibit of the “City of Overland Park” Art at the Center at the Sheraton Hotel until the end of May.   Ms. Stolz’s work is also exhibited at the National Arts Club in New York City at the Tilden Mansion, Grand Salon through the Hudson Valley Art Association until May 15^th. 

Ms. Stolz’s work can be viewed on her website:  www.geocities.com/dianestolz

Description of Violin:

In the Fall, the KCMTA Teaching organization will be sponsoring “The Classic Era” for students.  The “classical” idea of Cherubs & Violins inspired this artist. 

Artist:  John C. Sutton, III
Violin:  “Picasso Would Be Proud”

John Sutton, III is a professional artist living in Kansas City, MO.  He started his career as a cartoonist and comic book illustrator.  Lately, Mr. Sutton has begun creating various abstract oil paintings, incorporating elements of sculpture. 

Description of Violin

This artist admires the artwork of Pablo Picasso and wanted to design a violin using Picasso’s influence in the cubist movement.  This artist wanted to show the violin from all sides in different fragmented forms. 

Artist:  Hazel Iskyan Tripp
Violin:  “There is Music In Me”
             Soft Sculpture  Violin Doll

Hazel Tripp is an artist in the Kansas City area.  Ms. Tripp is a sculptor working in clay, polymer clay, stone, papier mache` and cloth.  She also paints and works in other crafts.  She taught high school art in Virginia. 

Description of Violin:

This artist used the violin to create a one of a kind doll.  Harry’s face, arms and legs are made of fabric with armature.

Artist:  Sandra Gabriele Trupcevic
Violin:  “I Am”

Sandra Trupcevic is a professional artist in the Kansas City area.  She is a graduate from Central Missouri State University and has a BFA degree in Commercial Art with an emphasis in Illustration.  This artist’s specialty is primarily in “Realism” and she uses various mediums such as:  acrylics, watercolor, pencil/charcoal, and photography. 

Ms. Trupcevic’s work can be viewed at the website:  www.artage.biz

Description of Violin:

No matter what our cultural background or belief may be, we all eventually will find ourselves in search of what keeps us grounded, strong, and bound together.  The concept of “natural elements” is brought out of the wood of the violin and ties it to everything around us, and all that is.

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