Bio

Teresa painting a Christmas card design in her studio 

Teresa sculpting in her studio 

Welcome to my bio page where you can learn how I got started and where I get my inspiration. I was born and raised in Michigan and because I love it so, I still live here only five miles from where I grew up. I’ve always loved art. When I was a little girl, I would spend much of the day drawing and coloring, however, not realizing at that time that I could make a living as an artist.In 1991 my husband and I wanted to start a family, so I left my full-time position to find something I could do at home. We started out selling my originals at art and craft shows in Michigan, when one particular show changed our future. A gentleman came into my booth and purchased a Santa Claus painting for his wife and he asked me if I sold my paintings wholesale. I gave him a very puzzled look and he proceeded to tell me that he and his wife owned a country gift shop, Dixboro General Store, down the road and they would be interested in buying my art wholesale to sell in their store. I thought it would be great to be able to sell my artwork to stores instead of spending nearly every weekend at craft shows. So I not only sold to him, but I was traveling around Mid-Michigan finding similar stores to introduce myself to and see if they would like to purchase my art as well. It was February 1994, and every store I stopped at, the owners of the store were on a “buying trip”. So I thought, hmmm, I need to be where they are! So I waited a week or so and went back out to sell my art and also to find out where all these store owners go on their “buying trip”. The ladies at Thyme in the Country in Owosso MI gave me the name and phone number of the wholesale show they had just came from in Pennsylvania. When I got home I called and they sent me an application and by June of 1994, we were on our way to Pennsylvania to sell my art wholesale to gift shops across the nation.

After the first show, in order to keep up with demand we had my art published and we sold prints instead of originals. Our business, Primitive Folk, grew very fast and had at one time six employees working in our 900 sq ft home…..with only 1 bathroom! Well, when I was pregnant with our second son, we realized we had to move the business out of the house and lease some office space.We partnered with an awesome sales rep, Linda McDonald, who sold our prints at all the major gift shows across the country. After working with her a couple of years, she approached me about licensing my artwork to other manufacturers. At the time, I thought, how would I find time to paint for other companies when I hardly had time to paint for our own - I was busy raising two boys as well as helping my husband run the business. But, she said the magic words, “you’ll get back to painting again”. So I teamed up with Linda McDonald once again and it has proven to be very successful and rewarding. My licensing career really took off and we ended up closing our Primitive Folk business in order to focus on licensing and raising our boys.

I find inspiration in the world around me. My Country Bears mimic the playfulness of my children, whether they are in search of bugs in the woods, building sandcastles at the beach, or picking a flower to give to Mom, it is obvious my boys are reflected in my paintings. I love gardening, which is where I find inspiration for my floral designs. I am amazed every year at the vivid color and combination of colors God has created for us to enjoy. My favorite season is Autumn, again the colors inspire me with their rich oranges, yellows, browns and golds. You can really get wrapped up in the season with the crisp air, pumpkins, gourds, bittersweet, candy corn, apple cider, falling leaves and the excitement of carving pumpkins and trick-or-treating on Halloween night. Then comes my favorite Holiday, Christmas! Everything about Christmas is an inspiration….. the music, family gatherings, baking, gift-giving, stockings, ornaments, garlands, wreaths, poinsettias, santa, snowmen…….there seems to be such an energy in the air all through December.

I keep a sketchbook with me at all times…..I never know when or where an idea might come to me. I usually start with a “thumbnail” sketch. Then enlarge it on my copier to the size I need it to be. Next, I use a light box and trace my design onto graph paper using a pencil and “fine tuning” the design before tracing it onto watercolor paper. After painting, I use color pencils to add more detail and make the design “pop”.Over the years I have found a schedule that fits well with the rest of the family. Monday through Thursday I start in the morning at 4:30 am and work until the kids get up for school. After I drop them off at school, I work until dinner time. My husband also works from home so our schedules are very flexible, which is a blessing when you have young children.

 Most recent picture of Kevin & Teresa’s boys taken July 2008

Ryan 10, Kyle 15 

I have been licensing my artwork since January 1997 and I love it! Linda was right, I am designing and painting every day now. I work with over 40 companies, some you may have heard of……Legacy Publishing, Imagine Nation, Amcal, Marcus Brothers, Blossom Bucket, Park Designs, Brownlow, with products ranging from greeting cards to quilting fabric. I am passionate about painting and I am so blessed to be able to make a living doing what I love while being at home with my family.Before I go, I must say a few thank yous to the folks that have helped me and supported me all these years, my husband - without his support, encouragement, and hard work, it would have never happened, my parents, for their generosity and belief in me, my friend, Jann, that introduced me to primitive and has helped us every step of the way, my agent, Linda (the hardest working and most amazing business woman I’ve ever met) for her encouragement, wisdom and enthusiasm. To all of you that have purchased a “Teresa Kogut” product, thank you from the bottom of my heart, you’ve allowed me to keep this dream going. God Bless.