My passion for trees led me into the hobby of tending and cultivating bonsai. Like tending cacti, bonsai offers many lessons, the greatest of which, in my opinion, is patience and vision. Like all artists, good bonsai artists spend far more time observing and thinking than executing. Many make drawings indicating what they intend the subject to look like in maturity. That drawing becomes a blueprint for future decision-making. A handful of style templates exist for traditional bonsai design and are commonly referenced in the ideation phase. These styles serve as categories and statements we use to describe the plan’s intent and categorize the specimen. A bonsai enthusiast’s work will commonly be judged by their ability to adhere to a particular style in a mature specimen.

Within any standard style, certain design elements come into play. The ‘positive’ spaces are the ones that make up the ground, the trunk, the branches, and the leaves. The slightly more abstract design variable is often called ‘negative space’—the area surrounding the subject and between forefront details.

With experience and maturity, I have come to believe that negative space, when used correctly, creates beauty, interest, and focus on the desired subject. When a bonsai is overgrown, you cannot see the branches or the trunk. The unique character, distress, and curvature that may be styled into the tree become buried behind the foliage. Without intentional pruning, the tree becomes dull, average, and unremarkable. Something special may be hidden, but observers will never see it unless the tender makes a deliberate effort to create open spaces within the design.

The challenge is that creating these negative spaces, often referred to in bonsai design as “open spaces,” takes very thoughtful and concious action. Most observers do not notice open space until its absence creates a design conflict. Masters of their craft utilize open spaces to transform their work from average to exceptional.

An interesting element about bonsai craft is that the subject is living and sometimes does not behave as predictably as one might like. A bonsai artist has a good idea of how a species will regrow when pruned, and they factor those predictions into their decisions. However (like any parent will confirm), the tree has its own journey to follow. New growth does not always subscribe to the prescribed plan. With wisdom and understanding, the bonsai artist adapts the plan to the new growth, exercising flexibility and a willingness to pivot when circumstances outside of their control evolve.

Improvisation is beautiful to me. It is rarely perfect, but it is genuine and real. The late Bob Weir, rhythm guitarist of the Grateful Dead, once stated in an interview with Rolling Stone Magazine, “Making plans seems like a waste of time. Because nothing ever works out as you expected it to.” This quote makes me laugh, particularly when you consider his art and career.

Improvisational music starts with a formal plan and a series of musical rules necessary for the overall equation to work, but within that plan, there are moments when breaking the confines of the script and being in the moment make actual magic happen. In all of my artistic pursuits, I look for those hidden gems and hope to unearth a couple myself sometime in my life. The magic, as a form of pure, analog, organic, serendipitous human brilliance, is what makes art what it is and makes all the effort worthwhile.

I have been a student of creative process for as long as my mind has recollection. I have held those tenets dear through various life phases: student, employee, manager, husband, business owner, and father. My mind and general thought process have remained fairly consistent. This consistency has allowed me to recognize the ‘killer of the creative,’ and I know it well. Sometimes, it is unavoidable. When I fail to allow open spaces in my day, my mind becomes dull and overgrown, and my thoughts become predictable and mundane. When I purposefully prune complexity from my schedule, I find time to contemplate, focus, reflect, meditate, and, in turn, emotionally heal from the abuses and insults of modern society.

Overplanning kills open space: metaphorically speaking in terms of bonsai design and simplifying your personal lives. If we are to even flirt with the higher elevation ideals of mortality and being human, we need conscious quiet time for reflection. Otherwise, your mind is as innovative and fruitful as a social media doom scroll, perpetually distracted from actual life by low-level clickbait algorithmically designed to addict.

American filmmaker, actor, writer, and comedian Woody Allen is quoted as saying his variation of a Yiddish proverb: “If you want to make God laugh, tell him about your plans.” I agree with this statement, but my experience has been that God doesn’t want to punish you for making a plan; he wants you to reach your full potential, and the overloaded, manic schedule you have created eliminates what you need to feed your mind and rise above the mundane. I believe the root (the nebari in the context of bonsai art) of the mental health crisis in the United States is subscribing to the myth that corporate productivity standards are a normal baseline, busyness is success, hurry is a virtue, and that one must succumb to a life spinning in a hamster wheel, the only destination of which is an early demise.

Get out this fall and enjoy our mountains that so magnificently encircle the Heber Valley. Eliminate branches that aren’t needed and hide the beauty of your personal style and character. Find the open spaces in your day. Simplify your routine. Prioritize quiet time for meditation and pondering. Rediscover the wonder of our natural surroundings. Become part of the solution by fixing yourself first and then rescuing your fellow citizens in need.

“A man should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” – Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

This quote is Katrina Berg’s favorite. The German poet’s words apply perfectly to Katrina’s thick, oil paint art pieces that she creates on wood while in her Midway studio. You may already be acquainted with Katrina and her work, but if you’ve never had the joy of coming across her art, it is my pleasure to introduce her and to share a little bit of her story.

Katrina is a creative, free spirit, very in tune with the elements close to her. A creator since childhood, she was constantly drawing or building in the environment around her; creating in nature has always been Katrina’s passion. While in high school the majority of her studies were geared toward architecture. However, when she attended college, Katrina went into education — she thought it was the right choice for her at that time. Katrina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University and then attended the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), enrolling in their landscape architecture program.

While in college, Katrina had the opportunity to study abroad; once in France studying French and dance, and once in Italy studying hill towns and Italian gardens. It was during these times of attending UNLV and studying abroad that Katrina would have two experiences that would change her life: she began painting after a close friend of hers gifted her a set of watercolors, and she met fellow classmate and Heber City native, Carl Berg.

Carl was very familiar with landscape design because his father was a landscape architect that did civil engineering, here in Heber. From the very beginning, Carl was very supportive of Katrina, and his no-nonsense, practical style complimented her imaginative, creative style. They made a perfect team in their group assignment projects, so obviously they started dating and eventually were married — right before graduating. The couple started a family right away and decided to move back to Carl’s hometown to be closer to family. So, in 2005, they moved to Heber.

Bringing the Outdoors In

Art was extremely important to Katrina and once they were settled in Utah, she and her family started visiting all the galleries, especially the ones in Park City. She realized she definitely wanted artwork in her home and decided “I just need to paint. I just need to paint whatever I want, and put it on our walls.”

That single thought would be the beginning of Katrina’s journey as a professional artist. Initially, she painted for fun, and at times, as a way to make her days a little brighter and more manageable. There was a calming power to the aspect of having absolute control while creating something beautiful, no matter what life hit her with. For Katrina, the act of creating and painting was very rewarding. Katrina could do what she loved while staying home with those she loved — her five children. As Katrina painted, she discovered that she really enjoyed working with oil paints and palette knives. The more she painted with them, the more clearly her style began to emerge. The unique color pallet, and the whole idea of thick paint that shines like stained glass, almost a mosaic of different pieces of light put together, really set her apart from other artists.

Eventually, Katrina started doing art shows, meeting and supporting other artists, and participating in the local art scene, where she met Sussette Gertsch (founder of the Midway Art Association). Katrina began participating in Midway’s Plein Air Festival and has painted plenty of historical barns and homes in the Heber Valley, her way of ‘preserving them’.

With her degree in landscape architecture, it’s no surprise that a lot of her art focuses on flowers and nature. She is still bringing the outdoors in, even if it’s not the way she had originally planned.

A New Expression

When Covid happened it really changed so much for Katrina, including her family and business, but most of all, her perspective. It caused a shift spiritually and culturally, and changed the way she expressed herself in and through her artwork.

One special thing you’ll notice about Katrina’s art is her “love of not conforming to whatever is popular”. She embraces being different and her art connects to multi- generations. Most of Katrina’s pieces now have a theme, symbolism, and song title associated with them. She’s proud of her multi-artistic experience, and this is why her favorite quote is so complimentary to her art and her beliefs. Katrina says that she hopes collectors feel God’s love for them when they experience her artwork. She shares, “Each painting is created and meant for someone specific — sometimes I don’t know who that is until later — but God knows.” Katrina’s faith and beliefs are an integral part of her creative process and she credits her “Heavenly Father and Savior” for her success. Katrina says, “Every step along this art journey has been supported and encouraged by Them — all that I’ve learned in my process, style, and chosen subjects comes from Them. I couldn’t be more grateful for our Savior & Redeemer, Jesus Christ, our Heavenly Parents, and the Holy Spirit.”

Katrina loves pushing boundaries with colors, and says that “there are a lot of ways to show depth and symbolism without it being predictable. I love surprises and unpredictability in artwork. I love making colors surprising. Art in person is so much more meaningful because of all the pieces coming together.” Her goal is to get people to experience her art in person because that’s when it comes alive, that’s how you can see the magic of the palette texture. She believes certain art is supposed to go through specific people for special reasons and she is happy to be a receiver.

Collectors of Katina’s art share unexpected experiences they have with her artwork, and she is always fascinated by their stories. If you have seen Katrina’s artwork, it’s hard to miss the creatures that are in so many of her series, past and present. For her, they represent family members and friends who have passed on. She explains, “We are never alone, this journey is not meant to be alone. All these things, especially the hard things we face, are meant to be faced together.”

It Runs in the Family

Having an in-home art business has had an impact on Katrina’s family as well. Her five children have helped prepare and travel for shows. Her older sons make frames for her smaller art pieces, and her younger sons like to help apply gold to the frames and sometimes the artwork. Her daughter has learned the ins and outs of running a business and even started her own cookie club. Katrina sells her art from her Midway studio and usually has pieces for sale at Beljar in Midway as well.

Katrina’s art ranges in size with the occasional oversized statement piece or large commissioned painting; however, 2022 found Katrina embarking on a ‘huge’ adventure. When Alpine Art’s director and curator, Susan Bonosconi, suggested that Katrina create an art show featuring large floral pieces, Katrina was all in! Taking inspiration from her ‘smaller’ pieces of work spanning the last 18 years; Katrina spent the majority of the year painting beautifully unique pieces for her 2023 collection.

During the creative process, she realized her paintings held a lot more meaning and depth due to the symbolism found in the finished images. While working on the second piece in the collection, Katrina decided that the series was going to be about “Becoming”. All the lessons, growth, hardships, and enlightenment boiled down into these beautiful, larger-than-life, happy paintings. Katrina learned to use her painting as a means of processing. But chose to share only the beautiful and joyful moments on her canvas, and to hold onto those, instead of the dark and difficult, and it has been such a blessing for her. The collection focused on flowers and birds that represent joy and celebration, “and sometimes cake! Because cake itself is a celebration!”

Katrina has a lot to celebrate. According to Alpine Art, Katrina’s ‘large-print-only’ art show, Becoming, experienced “[…] the most traffic we’ve had for a solo show.” Katrina loved working with Susan and Alpine Art and described the entire experience as wonderful.  She shares, “I have four of the remaining pieces in my studio right now, but two will be leaving soon, and that’s always exciting to see where they go to visit or stay.”

After the show Katrina took a small break but is excited to return to Swiss Days. She explains, “There’s something about Swiss Days, something about the energy there. It’s a great way for people to be introduced to your work, and it’s such a fun environment.”

Always creating, Katrina is currently working on next year’s art show, The Measure of Her Creation.  Katrina explains the title and theme, “The theme suggests, not only that women were created for a divine purpose, but also that women are divine creators. Through artistic expression, we hope to find a deeper understanding of our eternal role, and to impart doctrinal clarity concerning women. We seek the freedom to fulfill our divine measure as women, as individuals, and as children of God.”

As a friend and follower of Katrina, it has been just as much of an adventure for me to witness the different phases and series of her artwork throughout the years. Looking at her past pieces, there are a lot of the same ideas and style that are in her newer pieces, but they have a refinement and easy grace to them. Katrina is a giver and a teacher; she is one of the most genuine human beings you will ever meet. She is generous with her time, gifts, and advice. She wants aspiring artists to know that sometimes artistic style can take awhile. You won’t always start out exactly where you want to be, but don’t give up, keep going, use your mistakes, and it will find you. She is humbled by how far she has come and is excited to see how much farther she can go with the process and the ongoing journey itself.

The Measure of Her Creation Art Show will be on exhibit in Provo at the JKR Gallery. (1675 N Freedom Blvd Unit 7B, Provo, UT 84604)
Wednesday April 24th, 2024 – Friday June 7th, 2024.
There will be talks & special events during the exhibit.

Visit https://katrinaberg.com/ to learn more about Katrina’s artistic and creative journey.

With unique art classes year-round as well as an ever-changing art gallery, the Sundance Art Studio has been enriching the Utah community for close to 20 years. Elzey shared that the Studio began with globally renowned artist, Jann Haworth. In its beginnings, the Studio was Haworth’s personal studio, where she spent time creating her own art as well as teaching children. From the start, the Sundance Art Studio was deeply connected to, and inspired by, nature and has continued to hold this value dear. Over time, more varied art mediums have become available at the Art Studio.

The classes currently offered at the Sundance Art Studio cover a wide range of artistic mediums. Available classes include: Pottery, Silversmithing, Acrylic, Watercolor, Encaustic (hot wax painting), Drawing, Leather Journal Burning & Bookbinding, Soapmaking, and Printmaking. Elzey personally enjoys the chemistry involved in the Soapmaking class where students pick their scents, colors, and exfoliants to create a personalized two-pound batch of soap. The most popular classes at the studio are the hands-on Silversmithing and Pottery classes. The Studio also offers “Make & Take” projects where guests can stop in for a quick project to take home, such as candle-making or beading.

Trying a new art form can be intimidating; the welcoming environment at the Sundance Art Studio is a wonderful place to start. All skill levels are encouraged to attend Sundance Art Studio’s classes, “from absolute beginners to experts,” says Elzey, “our instructors cater to all skill levels.” The instructors at the Studio are experts in their fields who are passionate about sharing the gift of creativity with their students.

The Sundance Art Studio not only supports the creative growth of community members trying something new, but through their Visiting Artist program, provides a platform for local professional artists to create and promote their artwork. Throughout the year, The Gallery features local artists for four-week shows. These artists do not arrive with finished works to show, but “are encouraged to be inspired by the nature at Sundance and to have a relaxing experience creating,” says Elzey. On the first day of their show, the artists demonstrate a creation process in action, connecting gallery guests to the creative experience of the visiting artist. It can be challenging for growing artists to find opportunities to create and share their art with their community. The Visiting Artist program gives emerging local artists a platform to do so, ultimately enriching the Utah art community at large.

In addition to their year-round classes and Visiting Artist program, the Sundance Art Studio brings in master glassblowers from Guadalajara, Mexico to create recycled glass products. According to Elzey, most glassblowers do not know how to work with recycled glass due to the higher heat necessary and quicker cooling rate than non-recycled glass. The glass recycling program at Sundance is important and unique. The Sundance Resort recycles all the glass on property, giving it to the master glassblowers to create new glassware with. This reduces the waste production of the resort as a whole in a beautiful, creative way. The recycled glass pieces are used around the resort and sold at the Art Studio & Gallery. The glass kiln is located right next to the Art Studio, giving guests the opportunity to witness the exciting and inspiring process of glassblowing.

Elzey shares that the core values at the Studio are: Art, Nature, and Community. Students and visiting artists at the Sundance Art Studio are encouraged to create through the inspiring lens of the nature that surrounds them. “The Art Studio and Gallery staff has a wide range of skills and backgrounds, but we all can agree that Art heals and creates connection,” says Elzey. The Sundance Art Studio team believes that individuals’ untapped creative potential can be accessed by trying the new and unique mediums offered. They see the inner artist within all individuals and consider creativity to be vital to finding the joy in life.

Visit sundanceresort.com/art-studio

Come and let nature inspire.

“It all got started when my dog killed the neighbor’s chicken,” artist Rebecca Proctor shares with a laugh. How could an art career bloom from this you may ask? Well, let’s back up a little and you will begin to see.

Rebecca says it is likely that her mother has caveman drawings on her uterus. She says, “I have drawn since I can remember. All my Christmas gifts were always art, always craft stuff. I drew and drew and drew.” With all of that drawing, painting, and doodling, she began gifting her creations. In fact, she confesses that her art skills even helped her score well in a couple of her high school classes that she struggled in. A painted portrait of Bob Dylan for her math teacher solidified an A.

Rebecca studied art at BYU-Idaho and BYU. After getting married, she and her husband moved to Logan. The art program offered at Utah State did not feel like a good fit for Rebecca so she decided to take a break — a long break. She would not pick up her paintbrushes for eight years while she worked to get her husband through school and began to have children. When Rebecca’s husband finished school, he turned to Rebecca and told her it was her turn to get going. With young kids and little time, Rebecca had a hard time finding the drive and motivation. And that is where the neighbor’s chicken comes in.

When Rebecca’s dog killed the neighbor’s chicken, she knew she had to do something to try and make it right. She remembered how she had gotten herself out of tight situations in the past. People loved her paintings. Rebecca painted the chicken and took the painting, along with money as restitution for their loss, to her neighbor. She told them, “Here’s a chicken my dog can’t touch.” That’s all it took for her to find her artistic drive once again.

From there, Rebecca took a deep dive into painting the masters. She spent a year studying and replicating their work. She learned all about color and value as she worked to re-create their pieces. “There’s so much they can teach you looking at their work,” Rebecca says.

After that, Rebecca moved on to creating original pieces. She found a great mentor in Kathryn Stats, an incredible landscape artist based out of Salt Lake. Rebecca loves learning from her as they paint En plein air, completing pieces from start to finish outdoors. She has been an invaluable critic and teacher.

Rebecca comes from a long line of artists. Her mother, Julie Jeppsen, is a professional artist, and also helps Rebecca perfect her projects. The two often travel together and display their work in some of the same shows. The best art advice her mom instilled in her is that: “It’s not precious. You can always repaint it.” Rebecca says, “When I get into the mentality that it’s [a painting] precious and I just have to make sure it’s perfect, I always mess it up.” Starting with this mentality gives her the freedom to be more adventurous and playful in her work. It leaves room for bright colors and experimentation.

Rebecca’s husband also serves as a great support to her. He has no problem giving it to her straight. When he says, “Becca, how’d you get that color? By mixing mayonnaise and mustard?” she is not offended. She knows his opinions represent what the general public might see or think. Rebecca doesn’t shy away from some good criticism. She explains, “If you can take what they give you [and] swallow a little humble pill, it makes you so much better.”

For three years now Rebecca has been back into the art scene and has been furthering her art career. “I am just constantly trying to find time to paint,” Rebecca shares. She tries to get 20 hours of work in during each week. Her challenge is the same for many of us; balancing family time and work time. Thankfully her husband provides a lot of support and will often take the kids out on the weekend to give her a day to create. She spends a lot of her time painting pieces for upcoming shows; and has a unique resource for obtaining reference photos for her artwork. Rebecca likes to peruse Facebook, looking for photos of dogs or horses that inspire her. When she discovers an image that moves her she will reach out and ask the owner if she can use their photo. Rebecca has had a lot of luck with this unusual approach.

What is it that Rebecca hopes to accomplish through her art? Really it is about bringing people closer to their creator. Rebecca says, “I make art a matter of prayer. What was this dog like? How can I portray it in the best way?” She does this; recognizing the connection that can happen on a spiritual level with people and places or with people and their pets.

Rebecca also uses her gift to help others. Last year when she found out her co-worker’s son was diagnosed with cancer, she knew she wanted to do something to help. She got to work painting a picture of Mount Timpanogos. She started adding horses to the picture, but they just didn’t seem right for this painting. Instead, Rebecca felt inspired to create a fictional stream in the foreground. When her co-worker, Sunni Provost, saw the painting, she was touched because she recognized the stream as one her kids used to play in as young children. Rebecca titled the piece “Wyatt’s Hope” and used Facebook to invite others to buy prints, with all the proceeds going to benefit Wyatt, who has a family of his own and wasn’t able to work due to treatments and his illness. Rebecca was amazed by the response: “I felt like it was a really good cause and I was amazed at this valley. I had clients that bought my art and contributed to the family that didn’t even know the family — such generosity and such kindness. It blew my mind how giving people were.”

Rebecca has some meaningful guidance for other creatives out there: “My advice would be, to be honest with yourself in your creation process. When you’re honest with yourself and you paint or create whatever it is that makes you beyond excited, that’s going to be your best work every time.” Success doesn’t come overnight and Rebecca knows that you have to be persistent, putting the time in. She reminds us all that, “Over time, consistency turns into mastery.”

To see more of Rebecca Proctor’s artwork visit: RebeccaProctorArt.com