According to Kerry, “I paint and create because it is part of me. My mother was a creative artist, so I grew up with art all around me, and like her, I enjoy trying different methods, techniques and mediums. Most of my painting are realistic, but viewers will notice there are many subjects and various degrees of realism in my work. A lot of my paintings are of nature, whether it’s florals, landscapes, birds, trees or water… I am also motivated by historical items, places and things that have a story. I create art because I can.”

Every October, Kolke-bonk is a featured artist in the Meander, a self guided art crawl of the Upper Minnesota River valley. Kerry lives on a farm East of Appleton with her husband, Paul. She recently retired from the Appleton Post Office where she worked 22 years as a window clerk.

Kerry is a 2017 SMAC Individual Artist grant recipient.