Artist Statement

“The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” - Pablo Picasso.

My two favorite shows to watch as a kid Little House on the Prairie and the Joy of painting with Bob Ross. I can actually remember painting when I was about 6 years old while watching him on TV.

My love for creating art, began at a very young age, and because we as humans are composed of mind, body and spirit, I loved how it brought me joy, just like Bob Ross.

I kept up with my art on the side, through high school and college, not realizing part of my life’s ideals might lie in my art. I had honed my skills and was drawing children’s portraits for gifts and for commissions, but my focus changed after I was married, so I set my art to the side.

It wasn’t until Covid that I picked up brushes again and decided to give watercolor a try. In all my years of art classes, I was never shown how to watercolor so I just thought it couldn’t be that hard. Well I gotta tell ya, my kids were much better than I was! In fact I hated how mine turned out so much. I thought “man, KB, you really lost it.” But I kept at it and then one day, something clicked, and I felt that joy again- my joy of painting.

After some trial and error, and fun with my kids, I rediscovered my love for creating art, except this time it was birds that caught my attention with an intensity that’s hard to describe, but John Audubon put it well… “bordering on frenzy”. With time and reflection, I was able to breathe life into my life’s ideals again.

These questions helped me put some shape to my ideals and perhaps they can help you race through your life’s years and get a better understanding of what your memories might be sharing with you: How do you use your time? How do you use your talents? How do you use your treasures? And what is the main focus of your thoughts?

We all have ideals for our lives, What are yours? I hope these questions will give you a new thought about your life and what your ideals are so that you will have joy as you discover your gift and give it back to the world.

A word from our art coordinator

"Since I retire as Art Coordinator at the end of the year, I could not be more pleased to have KB Ribelin return as my last Feathered Artist to exhibit in our Sanctuary. She now has completed 232 watercolor bird paintings. Number 232 is the Mother Loon swimming with baby Loons enjoying the ride on her back. KB will be exhibiting 56 Originals and prints of her paintings that will help us slow down and view her creative gift. Not many artists have a style that is recognizable in Carrollton, Dallas, Chicago, New York or other worldly cities; however, KB has a gift of art that is uniquely hers. May you enjoy her talent."

 - Kent Darwin

Horizon supports the visual arts in our community and enhance the spiritual experience in our sanctuary by exhibiting the work of local artists. Horizon receives 20% for each artwork sold. To purchase an artwork, please contact the artist or email horizonart@horizonuu.org.

Exhibition Guidelines

Our space accommodates 15-20 large to medium works of art or more smaller works.

• Two dimensional work only

• Must be ready to hang, with wire, no sawtooth

• Nothing more than 50 lbs

• Any theme or subject matter will be considered

• Any medium

Each exhibition is six or more weeks beginning on a Sunday. The work must be hung during the week prior and picked up promptly during the week following the show. Any work sold, generates a 20% commission to the church.

If you are interested in submitting work for consideration, please email images or furnish a link to a website to HorizonArt@HorizonUU.org