Long-time Lake Forest resident, Kathy Mattingly, is an artist who has been painting since 2009. She had never picked up a paintbrush when one day she asked a friend who is an artist to paint something for her and her friend’s response was that Kathy should try to do it herself. “I thought she was crazy; how could I ever do that? It ended up that my friend, Susan Howe, saw something in me that I didn't see in myself, and the rest is history,” Kathy told us. Connected by the friendship their sons had, in 2009, Kathy walked in the doors at Mudpies Art Studio in Middletown with Susan for the very first time. “That has been the biggest blessing and 15 years later I am still helping at Mudpies assisting others. Honestly, I don't know what I would do if I didn't have this in my life,” Kathy said.  

 

Kathy went from thinking she never could be an artist to realizing it’s her passion. “I could sit for hours on end and paint. The time just passes away and I am in my own world,” she says. Kathy paints on Tuesdays at Mudpies and at home she has a couple of areas in the house dedicated to painting. She has a studio downstairs, and an easel set up in the family room, so that way she doesn’t leave her husband sitting around or watching TV by himself! She paints as much and as often as she can.  

 

Kathy also does many commission pieces for clients and feels like that is her biggest achievement with her art. She says, “Seeing the look on their faces when they see my completed artwork is the biggest blessing and award I could ever receive.” She reflects that she had no idea back when she started that she would be selling her very own art.  

 

Kathy urges that if you have a desire to try it out.... do it! She recommends Mudpies Art Studio, which is across the street from Walmart, in front of Frank Otte Nursery. It's open Monday-Friday from 9:30am - 12:30pm. Her friend, Susan, is an artist and business owner. “We would love to have you!” she says.  

 

Kathy and her husband Paul’s first home in Lake Forest was on Lake Forest Drive in 1986. That was 38 years ago. There were only 100 homes in the neighborhood! Their second move was to Deercross Place which was a Homearama home. Then, 25 years ago, they built their forever home on Lake Bluff. They love living here and find that other subdivisions just don’t match up to the elegance and beautiful landscaping of Lake Forest.  

 

Kathy and Paul have three adult children Chip, Nick, and Dane, and six grandchildren. Nick and his wife, Ashley, and their children, and Dane and his wife Iris, and their daughter also live in Lake Forest! They love having their families so close. 

 

Iris Mattingly, their daughter-in-law, has been active in creating the neighborhood activities. During Covid, she created the "LF Friends" and "LF Buy+Sell" Facebook pages that she continues to manage for the community. Their son, Dane Mattingly, was on the Board of Directors and created the Lake Forest Fishing Tournament for the kids in the community. This fall will be his sixth year hosting the tournament. Nick & Ashley Mattingly have lived in Lake Forest for over 12 years and are very involved with the neighborhood swim team.  

 

“There are many neighbors who moved in when we did years ago and never moved out. Their children also have landed in Lake Forest after growing up in such a wonderful community. We just love it here!” Kathy concludes.