Check Out Kathy De Cano’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathy De Cano.

Hi Kathy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
As soon as I was able to read, I began to write. Throughout my adolescence and young adulthood, poetry was one of the things that sustained me and also connected me to people I found interesting. Several of my poems have been published, both in Spanish and in English, in various publications. A few of my essays have been featured in “The Smoky Mountain News” newspaper, and I contributed as a book reviewer for “The Cherokee One Feather” newspaper for several years. Though born in Kentucky, I’ve lived or studied in such diverse places as Barranquilla, Colombia, Los Angeles, Mexico, New Mexico, Arizona, Spain, the mountains of North Carolina, Georgia, and Ecuador, where I now reside. Travel is one of my passions, particularly in the Caribbean and Latin America, but I still have a long bucket list in need of check marks. My journeys abroad and my work as a teacher have had a huge influence on both my writing and my painting, an additional creative pursuit that I indulge in frequently. Most of my career in education was in the role of a Spanish teacher, at one time even on The Learning Channel. I also co-taught with a fluent speaker in the Cherokee language program at my school in the mountains of North Carolina after obtaining a graduate certificate in Cherokee Studies from Western Carolina University and taking community classes in the Cherokee language, which I continue to study. Thankfully, my former colleague in this endeavor, Mary Brown, an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokees, worked as an editor on the first two novels I published here. I am a Cherokee descendant, a 5th great-grand niece of Chief Yonaguska, and a 4th great-granddaughter of Rebecca Naka Katadihi Morris, who is commemorated on the Women’s History Trail at the Nikwasi Mound in Franklin, North Carolina. As such, programs that maintain the Cherokee language are important to me, which is why half of my royalties go to programs that do just that. I am retired from teaching now and dedicate myself to painting, writing, traveling, learning, and spending time with friends and family. The Blue Cloud Series novels are my first two published novels, and I am currently working on a third book that will include poetry and short stories with a theme of growth over 3 periods of life, all illustrated by photos of my paintings.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I began the first book 2 decades before I was ready to complete it. While living in the mountains of North Carolina, where both books are set, I realized that I needed more time there to do the stories justice. The second novel was much easier to complete because it was a sequel. I already had most of the characters developed, and the events just flowed from what had happened in the first novel. I knew what I wanted to say, so the second book was finished in about a year.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Besides my two novels, I have published several poems in different publications over the years, but I am not just a writer. I’m also a painter. Most of my work is abstract, but I have done some more realistic pieces and some impressionistic paintings as well. I am a former member of the North Gwinnett Arts Association, The Arts Center at Johns Creek, the Alpha Arts Guild, and Norcross Gallery and Artist Studios, all located in the state of Georgia. I also co-owned Expressions Art Gallery and Studios in Lawrenceville, Georgia, with two other artists. My work has been in shows in Bryson City, North Carolina, and Sandy Springs, Suwanee, Alpharetta, Johns Creek, Sugar Hill, Lawrenceville, and Norcross, all in Georgia, as well at the Espacio Gallery in London, England. In February of 2020, I was the featured artist at the Suwanee Arts Center, and in the summer of 2022 I co-featured with sculptor Jill Williams at the Sugar Hill Art Gallery and Museum. The Gwinnett County Historic Courthouse Museum hosted a solo show of my work in the fall of 2023. After relocating to Ecuador, I have continued to paint, but I am using my work to help fund charitable organizations here in the Andes Mountains, where I currently reside.

Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I loved the city of Suwanee, where I last resided before moving to Ecuador, for its kind, friendly people and the flourishing art scene. The mayor and his wife have always been huge supporters of the arts, and the arts community there and in the surrounding areas was collaborative rather than competitive, so I felt welcome as an artist right away. My neighbors were always willing to be helpful when needed, I also really loved the park system in Gwinnett County. There was always a beautiful place to walk, relax, have a picnic, or play. The abundance of nature was inspiring to me as a creative person.

Pricing:

• Hard cover novels: $25.00
• Soft cover novels: $16.00
• Kindle: 9.99 or free with Kindle Unlimited
• Paintings: Variable

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BQ2QVXNT
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kdecano7/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kathydecanoart
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathydecano682987b/
• Other: https://www.artpal.com/kdecano