Penny Thieme: Artist

Artist 


"Penny is an artist in everything she does. If you talk to her about art, or anything else, you feel the art in the way she frames her words. If you stand and admire a piece of art with her you know she is experiencing both the impact of the work and the technique that created it. Of course, the best way to experience an artist is through their art, and Penny's art expresses a full spectrum of deep, bubbly, intense and dancing energy. But Penny, in her pure artist's way, never makes a non-artist (like me) feel any less creative, or artistic for not being an artist. Nor does she ever make my experience with the art less because I know nothing of the technique.

She honors my inner artist and knows how to nurture that creative spark in everyone she meets. As an appreciator of art, I'm fortunate to have seen much of what Penny has created, not only for the enjoyment of the work, but for the spirit that comes through in it."
 ~Dixie Gillaspie/Author, Editor and Fire Starter to Founders & Leaders


Above: Penny Thieme poses on stage with Author Dixie Gillaspie & Philip Penrose after Gillaspie's talk "Feminine Traits and the Business Economy"
at the TEDxCrestmoorParkWomen's "RAW Subjects, REAL Women, RELEVANT Stories", Denver, CO, 2016

"Penny paints her life in pulsating imagery resplendent with symbolism, vibrant colors and passages that meander through the psyche and connect soulfully to the human condition." ~Maura Conry-Artist

"Penny Thieme was a student of mine in several classes at Johnson County Community College. I evaluate student artwork based on the following criteria: problem solving, ingenuity of self-expression, effectiveness of design and composition, effort and persistence, use of materials, craftsmanship, and growth. Penny showed great strengths in all of these areas in each one of the classes she took from me.

Since the time she was in my classes she has developed a strong voice in her artwork which is very expressive and relies on a strong sense of color and composition. Penny is also an exceptionally hard worker. Besides her own artistic development, Penny has a lot of compassion for other artists. She has opened and run several art gallery and studio spaces to help artists get more exposure to a broad audience. Penny has a pleasant personality and good character. I wish the best for all her future endeavors. "~Larry Thomas/Artist & Former Professor of Art at Johnson County Community College

"Penny is a very talented artist who truly also cares about the community around her, and shows that by helping other artists. She has so much enthusiasm, talent, and never gives up. She is one of the hardest workers I know, as well as being one of the most caring people I know. I recommend her as a painter and a photographer along with being a curator and a visionary for the art community."~Stephanie Finkelstein/MA


Advocate/Mentor

"At 13, I was blessed by an angel, brought to me by unfortunate circumstances. Penny met me with an open heart, arms and smile, at a Crime Victims Exhibition where I submitted artwork at her gallery. She invited me into her home, her VALA Gallery, where I spent every Sunday morning growing under her sunlight and love. Penny taught me to be fearless, bold, and brave. Always be brave. She taught me about so much more than art, which is so closely connected to my life. She taught me about myself and what exactly I was made of. Penny planted and fostered my dream of attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I was recently accepted. As for everything I learned from her in a short version; be strong. Be unforgiving of who you are and what you stand for, but remember to love, forgive and forget, and remember there is beauty in the storm. If I could recommend a life and art teacher to any young person it would be one of my greatest friends and mentors, Penny Thieme; Artist and Mentor."
~Aurora Davis

 
                                                                                                                         

"Penny saved my art career. Simply that. Saved it. I was ready to quit from several harsh experiences in the beginning years of it and her friendship, support, mentoring and knowledge of the art business, quite literally, drew me back from the brink. So, I stayed the course with help of the directions she supplied and I began to grow exponentially, as a Fine Art Photographer. Several years later...at her urging... I took up painting and sketching. I have enjoyed great success with both! My first solo showing of my painted works was titled "The Faith of Friends" mostly in honor of Penny's faith in me and nurture of me when I needed it most. She now owns my first painting. It was my gift back to her. WAY too small a thing to ever compare with what her mentoring and friendship as meant to my life." ~R. Scott Anderson


Organizer/Collaborator

"I met Penny Thieme when she was running VALA (visual audio literary artists), her gallery and artspace in Kansas City. She immediately impressed me with her expansive vision, leadership abilities and production: she has an amazing ability to make things happen. VALA had wonderful exhibits, performances, and held benefits, studio sessions (life drawing and more), all while Penny also grew in her own standing and ability in the local and artistic communities as a painter, fine artist, photographer and more. Penny accomplishes more than a dozen people and is a mover and shaker. She also has a wonderful eye, sensitivity and insight. It is always a pleasure to see what she has accomplished, what is planning, and to be in her company and have the pleasure of working with her."~Jill Bell/Jill Bell Brand Lettering

"Penny is a fearless art entrepreneur with an established track record of connecting divergent organizations with the fine art experience. Penny is energetic, focused, and capable of developing major projects on command. Community organization in galleries is just one of her many impressive talents. An accomplished artist in her own right, she creates large vibrant pulsating paintings filled with passion, color and emotion. She is a delight to work with and I look forward to collaborating with her in the future."~Maura Conry/Artist

"I worked with Penny Thieme where she had the MidwestTransplant Network, Lyric of Life and Artist Larry Thomas (kidney recipient), feature her art work and other artist with theimportance of organ and tissue donation to the community. She did a great job with the event." ~Ray Gabel/Midwest Transplant Network

Penny is committed to making her community a better place. Through her work at VALA she has enabled artists to work with dedicated mentors, sharpen their skills and exhibit their work. Partnering with local and county-serving organizations she's also brought arts focused community programs to her neighborhood including spoken word performances, exhibition openings and interactive kids programming. Penny is driven, dedicated and fun to work with.
~Sarah VanLanduyt/Arts Council of Johnson County

"I've know and worked with Penny for over 10 years now. I don'tknow a more dedicated individual. Her heart is truly about promoting arts of all sorts and making them accessible to her community." ~Ken Gaines/ Singer Songwriter

Art Instructor

"Penny is absolutely my favorite instructor that we have had so far. She is patient and flexible while still firm in guiding the students in mastering the skills that each lesson emphasizes."
Kit Bardwell MM
Arts / Extracurricular Coordinator
Horizon Academy



Photographer

"Penny is truly an amazing photographer and artist, you'll have to experience working with her to fully appreciate the extent of her talent. You can go anywhere to get a photo taken, and that's exactly what you'd get, just a photo. If you want something special captured, a moment, a special event, a look . . . That's what you'll receive from Penny, something special. She has this creativity and vision like I've never seen before, her work always exceeds my expectations!"
Debbie Christ/Overland Park KS

I am acquainted with Penny in several capacities - artist, photographer, educator, organizer, all-around evangelist for the arts in our community - and she's brilliant in all of those roles. My specific endorsement here is for her photography, as she's done photo shoots for me as a singer-songwriter, for a significant family event, and for art photography. Penny is the photographer you want to hire, because she's prepared, organized, flexible, intuitive, communicative, and productive! She's great at staging, and she can also capture the magical moment that can't be reproduced. She puts people at ease and facilitates their real personalities, so that her images are authentic as well as lovely. And, her follow-up is impeccable, making the editing and output processes a joy. Hire her for your next special event or photo need!
Kathryn Lorenzen/Fairway, KS

"Penny is passionate about what she does. She is a creative artistwho challenges herself to see things through fresh eyes. Shecares about your success and wants to serve you with her talents."
Lawrence Andre/Mission, KS

"I cannot adequately express my gratitude to Penny Thieme for her amazing photography and her powerful painting, sculpture, and other, mixed-media, art, as well as her tireless work at the VALA Gallery. 

She photographed numerous events for me, including my wedding and my son's graduation, and took my professional head shots.  She also has enabled me to be involved in the art community through offering me corporate sponsorship opportunities at the VALA Gallery as well as giving me a chance to participate in her artist receptions and other events. 

In addition to being a talented photographer with a breath-takingly keen eye, Penny is truly an inspired and inspiring artist, as well as a person with vision, passion, and dedication to the artists of Kansas City, from the very young to the venerably experienced. Without Penny Thieme and people like her, this world would be a dark and empty place."-Corinne Corley/Kansas City, MO

"Penny is a very creative and fun loving individual. She tookpictures at my daughter's wedding and also family photos. Welove pictures. I also participated in local events hosted by Penny and they were well organized and enjoyable."  
Sherri Grogan/Garnet, KS

"It's not often you meet someone like Penny. She has vision, talent, and an almost childlike exuberance for life and learning. I recommend her as an artist. Her work is powerful and multi-layered. As publisher of Evolving Magazine, we've featured Penny's art on the cover of the magazine. She has also worked as an invaluable resource connecting us with other artists. I recommend her as a photographer. I recommend her as a visionary. Few people have the energy, determination and insights to create a place of community, but Penny did it in her classic ever-gracious style."
Jill Dutton/Shawnee KS
 

Penny,
The site looks wonderful thanks to your ability to organize by color, shape and design!  I love it totally, as far as I'm concerned it's complete.  Thanks again! ~Artist Sandy Schaeffer

"We simply cannot thank you enough for everything you did for us! We knew the pictures would be wonderful but they exceed every expectation. Your loving heart is evident in your work. Our day would not have been the same without you present! Love, Mr. & Mrs. Garoutte" ~Overland Park, KS

"Penny was our wedding photographer and so much more! Penny took our engagement pictures, coquette pictures as a present to my new husband, rehearsal dinner pictures, and wedding pictures. She went so above and beyond what we expected. Her passion for photography is obvious; it is truly what she loves to do. Because she loves her job so much, she truly puts her heart and soul into each and every project. Although my husband and I are both fairly reserved, she made us both feel very comfortable, which really reflected in our pictures. They turned out amazing! She really captured the joy of the day, and many of the little details I worked hard on. We will treasure these pictures forever!"
~Jessica Morrison/Mission, KS

"I would first like to thank you for the wonderful job that you did on our wedding. Your kind heart and spirit went a long way when it came to help plan the wedding. As you know the pre-planning for a wedding can be stressful (especially when your husband is a half a world away). However God was with me when he pointed me in your direction. You were very professional and calm throughout the whole process, but yet you made me feel like family. This was my first time dealing with a professional photographer so I had no idea what to expect. Lucky for me you knew exactly what to do. Thank you...

The Big Day came and you were there to lend a helping hand and soothe my nerves. You and your assistant were very helpful and sincere. Since there were 10 in the wedding party and additional swordsmen having both of you there was a huge help. You captured moments between Johnathon and I that I had forgot happened.

Through you and your pictures we will forever get to relive that day and our memories. Thank you so much for capturing the spirit of our wedding and the unique qualities of our friends and families. You succeeded on both counts and managed to exceed our expectations. I did not realize you had such acute intuition as well until I saw it clearly in our pictures. You are an incredibly talented professional. Your enthusiasm for your work and art truly shows in every image. Every person who was involved in the photographs taken that day, were extremely surprised to have so much fun and laugh while posing for wedding photographs.

Thank you for your imagination and masterful skill of photography to have created such special memories for us to share with everyone we love. We will continue to recommend your service to anyone who inquires and we will think of you in the future to capture more special events in our lives!"

-Johnathon & Desiree/Oak Harbor, WA

"For both the engagement pictures and on the day of the wedding, Penny was driven to get the best shots for us, but did it as quickly as possible. Her shots were clear, candid and really captured the spirit of our wedding. The photographs were excellent and our wedding album was beautifully done. Our wedding has come and gone but thanks to Penny, we have scores of pictures with which to reminisce." ~Kristin Greer/Kansas City, MO

"This is to express my sincere appreciation for the GREAT photos you took at my wedding. The photos are amazing. They captured what they were trying to in a life like style meaning it was like you could jump into the photos. There were plenty of shots of different scenes so that I had plenty of pictures to choose from. What was important to me was also important to you. I liked that we discussed what shots I wanted ahead of time because you had some good ideas that I had not even thought about and they worked out great. I am so glad that you were apart of my special day and that you made me look and feel so special. Words can't express my appreciation. Many people can use a camera, but few people can make the pictures come to life and you are one of those people.

I would highly recommend your services to anyone else interested in getting great professional photographs."

~Becky Shaffar/St. Louis, MO

 PORTRAITS/PROFESSIONAL

"I would recommend Penny to anyone who needs to capture something special in a picture. She has an intuition as well as the technical know how when it comes to her subjects. I have never seen myself in such a glorious light. I hope she will be willing to work with me again in the future when I need just the right photograph.~Stephanie Fine/Singer/Songwriter Dallas. TX (cd cover & promo shots)."

"Penny's photos really captured me in performance like no one else ever has."~Ken Gaines, Houston, TX/ promo and website banner images/www.mytexasmusic.com, www.kengaines.com

"It gives me great pleasure to inform you of my experience with Penny Thieme. Not only was Penny prompt in her scheduling, her turn around time on the photo’s were as promised, with no excuses or delays. The quality of the photo’s and the creativity in which they were taken was exactly what I had been hoping for. I can honestly say I have never been more pleased with any other photographs taken of myself and my family." ~Brandi Severson/Kansas City, MO

"Penny has taken pictures at almost every important event in our life. She has photographed our wedding, the birth of our daughter, graduation pictures, and every birthday party and special occasion. She is always able to capture the mood of the people and the overall feel of the function. She is delightful to work with and I highly recommend her for any picture or portrait need."
~Michael & Karen Baker/Shawnee, KS