March Library Show

By Katie Atkinson
A collection of Kathy Griswold’s photographs of Norfolk will be featured in a show at the Norfolk Library this month.
Griswold’s photographs offer the viewer a symphony of beauty, color and an insider’s view of Norfolk. You can feel the artist’s enthusiastic and vibrant personality shining through her work. It is evident from her pictures that she loves the town of Norfolk, and finds an abundance of rich subject matter here.
The artist finds something beautiful, compelling or amusing in the small details of life and the local surroundings. One of her photographs of a tree near the ball field and Yale driveway focuses in on a large, heart-shaped knot on the tree’s trunk, and with its outstretched branches, the tree reminded the artist of an opera singer with its mouth wide open, raising its arms upwards toward the sky.
This is no small coincidence, as Griswold’s other passion and profession is singing. Within these two diverse fields are many parallels. Both endeavors are a source of energy for the artist and give her a sense of exhilaration. Griswold loves color, composing the work and getting the rich contrast in the details. She sees singing as an opportunity to be a visual person as well. When she sings something very serious in an opera, she visualizes something beautiful in her mind’s eye (even for a dark subject such as death), so that she won’t go over the edge emotionally.
Griswold’s interest in photography actually came from her father, who took many great photographs of their family life. She was given a Brownie camera at age 10, and learned photography through her father’s interest and encouragement, and more recently through Michaela Murphy, a friend and mentor.
Griswold has taught herself to make refinements to her digital photos on the Picasa Web site. Whatever changes she makes are only to enhance the image, as it is important to her that the photograph stays true to what she actually saw.
The artist has many wonderful photos documenting Norfolk’s 250th anniversary celebration. In addition to events, she also enjoys photographing nature, architecture and people. Her work came to the attention of Diane Smith, longtime radio show host on WTIC, AM 1080, who has authored a book called Positively Connecticut. The book features many of Kathy’s photographs, and will be published this June by Globe Pequot Press.
As for future projects, Griswold has many equine action photos taken at local horseshows, and would love to find the right outlet for them. She would also like to pair her photographs with poetry or lyrics at some point.
The artist is employed as a professional singer at St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hartford, and by Crescendo, a singing group based at Trinity Church in Lime Rock, CT. She also teaches private voice lessons.
Griswold’s photographs will be on display at the library from Friday, March 5 through Thursday, April 1. An opening reception will be held on Sunday, March 7 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m.