Kathleen (Kathy) Hird Kostner
Lawrence, KS
Ric and Kathy say "I do"
February 25, 2006
... click image above to read about the their
journey
Last updated:
12/01/2007
|
Kathy enjoying
her "prop" for
the photography studio: a '58
718 RSK Porsche
After LHS
In 1966 and 1969 I was named
Outstanding Goldsmith of the Year, and in 1970,
I graduated from KU with a BFA in jewelry and silversmithing
and an emphasis on photojournalism. Also in 1970, I was the
first woman at KU to win in the annual photographic
competition at the University of Missouri.
Employment
I worked at Zercher Photo during high school and KU until I
set up the Kansas Geological Survey darkroom, where I processed
and printed rock slide images for the staff. Upon graduation,
I was hired as the Geological Survey's director of public
relations, information and education. After I married in
1971, I designed and crafted fine jewelry, and continued with
my photography. In 1984, I co-founded Elanex
Pharmaceuticals, Inc, where I was managing director and oversaw
operations of
our companies all over the world for the next 14 years. (That
real-world crash course in business, sales and marketing
certainly gave me
the best education and training I ever could have had for running my own business
later.) Divorce and my father's
declining health caused me to return to Lawrence in 1998 so I
could care for
my father until he passed away. It was then that I discovered a
wonderful old barn just west of where I grew up. In 2000, I
married Richard Wright (deceased 2000) who helped me build the
barn that is now home to
Hird and Kostner LLC
and Pure Potential LLC, where I practice what I preach: Follow your dreams.
Currently I am a goldsmith and diverse photographer (portraits, weddings, fine art,
commercial, books and greeting cards). My photography hangs in
offices and homes all over the world. My studio houses a state-of-the-art digital photography,
framing and graphic design operation as well as a
custom wide-format printing service. I love what I do, and I
enjoy making people happy with my art.
Hearth & Home
On Feb. 25, 2006, I married the nicest man I've
ever known. I met Ricardo (Ric) at the Lawrence Arts Center
Auction in 2004, and knew immediately he was "the one." We share the studio
I built in 1999, as we are both artists and photographers; Ric
also is a web designer and he redesigned
our website. We work
closely on all projects in studio and sign all our work as
"hirdandkostner," which is representative of the teamwork we
are blessed to share. In fact, we recently hung a series of
our photographs titled
"It's All About the Journey" at two Lawrence banks, one at
23rd & Kasold and the other downtown at 9th & New Hampshire.
This show will run from now until the end of October.
(Classmates: While you are in town for the reunion, you're
invited to go see our spectacular wall images.) Last December, we were adopted by El Gato, a 16-pound, cross-eyed Firepoint Siamese,
which I discovered
hanging off my studio door, screaming, in the middle of a blizzard. My
daughters, Kathleen and Heather, are married and live in
Seattle. I have a wonderful granddaughter, Aurora, who is
almost 5.
The Other Stuff
Currently I serve on the Board of Directors for the Lawrence
Arts Center and on the Fine Arts Advisory Board for KU's School of Fine Arts. I
also am
involved in trying to awaken the health care industry to the
home health needs of the elderly deaf, having had many challenges
in caring for our own deaf mother. For fun I love to
mow our 15 acres with my big tractor, and to plant sunflowers and
watch them grow. I photograph flowers in my studio just like
they were people! I also love to take road trips where I
become one
with my vehicle, never knowing what treasures I will find
to photograph along the road. My husband and I share a love of
Porsche cars, and we have a Boxster and a 1958 718 RSK. Bicycling and
walking are a must, as is working out with a trainer to
maintain my good health. I am a breast cancer survivor since
1991, and work to promote awareness and prevention through my
art and my actions. Now that I have a bookbinding system, I want
to publish books, particularly for children, that teach self
esteem and self worth using photography. (Now that I've
written that down here, I guess I'll have to do it!) I
also want to use my sign
language skills for the greater good of the deaf community,
and to continually improve my photographic skills by creating
better and more powerful art. And I want to create and market a
line of fine jewelry. I'd better stop now...the list goes on
and on. There is so much still I want to do. I
consider every day that I'm alive an honor and a milestone.
Lots of good things have happened in my life, and continue to
do so!
My Memories of LHS
I loved the LHS art department, and the incomparable Dorothy
Whitney. She brought out my creativity, which I didn't know I
had. It was there I found great joy in creating art, and it has served
me well. But I also remember it was hard being a "country kid" and being
made fun of for the way I dressed as well as for the funny way I talked
because I spoke sign language. When the dyed-to-match mohair
sweaters and skirts with flats were all the rage, I desperately wanted
to fit in. I got a job just so I could buy those things. I've
had some very
expensive "retail therapy" since then to overcome those issues!!! |
