As the daughter of artistic parents, Catherine was first introduced to art as a manner of expression and as a career at an early age.

Her father, Bernard, was chief designer for the Grand Rapids-based American Seating Company, which designed church furniture for use throughout the country. She was only eight years old when he died unexpectedly. Catherine never forgot her father or his ability to meld his love of art with his need to work. As a professional artist he instilled a love of art that has remained with her throughout her life.

Her mother, Johan, was a talented seamstress and raised fifteen children. Now retired, she divides her time between Florida and Michigan to be close to her family. Catherine paints using her maiden name as a tribute to both her parents.

It wasn’t until Catherine had a family of her own that she decided to go back and follow her dream, but her artwork remained a hobby until her two children were older. In the back of her mind, she always wanted to go to art school. She went to Lansing Community College in Michigan and found herself sharing art classes with nineteen-year-olds, graduating in 1995 with dual degrees in Commercial Illustration and Fine Art. Catherine’s professional schooling and artistic background show through in each of her pieces, where her ability to capture fine detail brings each piece to life.

The artistic talent of her family has been passed down to the next generation. Her daughter is currently an art student at Lansing Community College and has shown great potential in following in Catherine’s footsteps. Her son expresses his creativity through writing and has several published articles to date.

Catherine has been china painting since 1980 and founded her business and website, The Porcelain Gallery, in 1988. She has also experimented with other art forms such as watercolors, oils, pastels, airbrushing, printmaking, and sculpture.

Catherine has held numerous offices in the various china-painting organizations. She was at one time the president of the Michigan Porcelain Artists, and past president of the World Organization of China Painters (WOCP) 2005-2007.

Catherine was born in Grandville , Michigan and has lived in numerous parts of the country. She now makes her home near Plainfield , Illinois with her husband, Michael, when she isn’t traveling to porcelain art shows and teaching seminars.

Resume

Catherine Tonning-Popowich

15213 S. Michael Dr .

Plainfield , IL 60544

815-439-8383

www.porcelaingallery.com

cltonning@porcelaingallery.com

Organizations: World Organization of China Painters (WOCP)

World Organization of China Painters Teachers Association

Objective: To share and teach the joy of porcelain art with as many as possible and to pass my knowledge on to future generations of china painters. I have fulfilled my objective by teaching classes and seminars nationally since 1994.

Background: I was born in Grandville , Michigan and have lived in numerous parts of the country. I now make my home near Chicago with my husband, Michael. I have been China Painting since 1980 but have also explored other art forms such as watercolors, oils, pastels, airbrushing, printmaking, and sculpture. I earned degrees in both Commercial Illustration and Fine Art from Lansing Community College in 1994. I currently own and operate my own business, The Porcelain Gallery.

Education: 1980 – 1991: Studied with a variety of porcelain artists around the country

1991 – 1994: Lansing Community College (LCC): Degree in Fine Art

1991 – 1994: Lansing Community College (LCC): Degree in Commercial Illustration

References: Nancy Fisher, Dee Pine, JoAnn Rynne-Sierpien, and Violet Temple .

Publications: “Poppies”, The China Decorator, October 1996, back cover.

“Cardinal & Holly”, The China Decorator, November 1997, page 15.

“Poppies & Blackberries”, Porselensmaling, September l998, front cover.

“Wolf Portrait”, Porselensmaling, September l998, page 51.

“Resting Wolf”, The China Decorator, July/August 1999, page 12.

“Morning Glory Tray”, The China Decorator, May/June 2000, page 5.

“Fresh Blueberries”, The China Decorator, May June 2001, page 11.

“Winter Cardinals”, The China Decorator, November/December 2001, page 21.

“Eagle", The China Decorator, July/August 2002, page 34.

“Modern Designing”, The China Painter, September/October 2002, page 26.

“Hawk”, The China Decorator, January/February 2003, page 39.

“Fresh Blueberries”, The China Painter, July/August 2004, page 45.

“Modern Designing”, The China Decorator, January/February 2005, pages 10-11.

“Miss Snickers with the Betty Davis Eyes”, The China Decorator, May/June 2005, page 5.

Awards: Pat Reily Scholarship Award, 1994, Lansing Community College (LCC)

2^nd place, Commercial Art Category, 1995, LCC Student Art Show

Ascension Lutheran Christian Art Show Award, 1993 & 1994

Offices Held: 2005-2007: President - World Organization of China Painters (WOCP)

1999-2001: President - Michigan Porcelain Artists (MPA)

1997-1999: President - Flint Chapter of MPA

1995-1997: Vice-President - Flint Chapter of MPA

1996: Chairperson - Okemos Art Tour, Okemos , Michigan

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