FAIRFIELD — “My zest is to expressively capture visual memories of happiness with the spirit of art,” Kella J. Moschkau says.

As she taught secondary students and also gave some private art lessons over the years, Kella said, “I wanted to give the artist inside an opportunity to choose and go in depth and focus and variety.”

The petite 59-year-old, who lived in Ottumwa for the past 16 years, lived in Fairfield for the preceding 16 years, and just moved back to Fairfield again. Her new home has a larger, sunnier studio and it is closer to her family.

After many years as a single parent, she married George Moschkau, a retired engineer, two years ago. Many people may recognize her name from her teaching years as Kella J. Gerard.

As Kella J. Gerard, she taught elementary art in Van Buren Schools and for 27 years, taught secondary art at Cardinal School near Eldon.

She says, “I retired early to pursue my own art pursuits and possibly other avenues which I did not have time for while working.’’

Posted in her own studio at home are quotes from Georgia O’Keeffe and Picasso,

which Kella says she tries to read daily to keep her grounded:

“No one sees a flower really sees a flower it is so small -— we haven’t time;

and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time.” Georgia O’Keeffe

“Art is a lie that makes us realize the truth.” Picasso

All of her paintings are labeled “Portraits from the Heart, Kj” (the “j” is for her mother).