Kathy Compton

Kathy Compton, a former chef and restaurant owner, brings her passion for color, texture, and form from the kitchen to the canvas. Using acrylic and collage as her primary medium, she creates vibrant, dynamic works that echo the artistry of her culinary creations.

From a young age, Kathy learned to cook alongside her grandmother, absorbing techniques through observation and hands-on experimentation. This foundation shaped her approach to food, leading her to open Café Bouchee and 1910 Main in Forest Grove, Oregon, where she infused dishes with bold flavors and artistic presentation.

Her love of art also began in childhood, spending summers at the Forest Grove craft store, exploring different mediums. Though always creatively inclined, it wasn’t until 2016 that she fully embraced painting, blending her culinary and artistic passions. A transformative workshop at the Sitka Center for Art and Ecology introduced her to layering textures and stenciling for movement, which became signature elements in her work. This October, she returns to the Sitka Center to further explore abstract landscapes.

Kathy finds inspiration in travel, often capturing special moments in 5x7 watercolors, which may evolve into note cards. At home, she and her husband, Don, live on a wooded acreage near Gaston, where her vegetable and flower gardens reflect her love for both food and art. She also spends time at their Pacific City beach home, a space filled with light and color, where creativity continues to flourish.