it is through the lens of
memory
we interpret the world
Welcome!
It's truly wonderful to have you here!
You can discover on this page about my journey, my creative process, and the inspirations behind the art I bring to life.
Art is more than just a product of the artist's hand—it's a vibrant language that speaks to our hearts and souls. It's a reflection of our experiences, our interpretations, and connections with the world around us. And like a fine wine, it only grows richer with time.
Thank you for being here and sharing in the joy of art with me!
“When I saw this painting, I knew I wanted it immediately. It spoke to me - the face is half in shadow and half in light, representing the face we show to the world, and the hidden part of us that no one can see. Brilliant ! I am a big fan of her work.” - Tom Alford
Testimony
About
Despite having decades of studio work, two art degrees, two Jentel Artist Residencies, representation by Hammerfriar Gallery and Lori Austin Gallery; and participating in workshops as both a student and teacher, I still feel there is much more to learn about art making and the creative drive. The question lingers: do we ever feel as though we have arrived?
It is a journey of learning, growing, and evolving; and I hope it never ceases.
My practice shifted after moving from the concrete landscapes of Southern California to the California Central Coast. Here, nature envelops us; we live next to an Oak Tree and Wildlife Preserve. The shift began with the appreciation and study of the ancient majestic oak trees and the surprising visitors from wildlife—both day and night. In this natural setting, the powerful cycle of life unfolds, and through it, the threads of memory weave all seen and unseen activities.
“Kathleen's work transports me to fond remembrances of the past, and places I'd like to visit in the future. Her calming palettes bring sophistication to our home.”
Victoria Rose
Testimony
(Full Bio - click HERE)
The endless connection with nature, its profound surprises, and the intricate dance of life continues to shape and direct my artistic expression.
I recall a significant event when a large beehive fell from an Oak Tree in our backyard. It took time for the bees to understand what happened. Over the next few weeks, I watched their intense activity die down until their dwelling place was vacated. It taught me about the cycle of life by the seeming lifeless beehive carrying wax moths that birthed. This encounter taught me about resilience, adaptation, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. It raises questions about the pervasive and elusive power of memory.
It is through the intricate tapestry of memory that we navigate our perceptions of the world around us, each thread woven with our unique experiences and emotions.
process
I often start a painting with writing and drawing. I enjoy this tactile connection, and the feeling of hovering over the surface. It begins a relationship between the surface and concept, as my materials become integrated into the process. As I build layers of mark-making, I search for the unique mark - something expressive, meaningful. A vibrant color next to a desaturated one, a figure that surprisingly appears beneath a glaze...
I seek to transcend the history of mark-making by capturing a moment that instills the piece with deeper meaning.
Statement
The work is my pilgrimage to becoming and being aware -
the evolution from reaction to responding.
Working with the painting process, I respond to
a mark
- a suggestion
- amplifying its energy.
My endeavor evolves and shifts with newfound clarity.
Connecting with awareness becomes a balancing act between intuition and intention.
Instinct guides the process while intention directs shapes, values, and composition.
Memory - unreliable, uneven, and yet, a potent constructive force,
serves as the backdrop for my exploration.
Pondering the interplay between personal recall and
the intricate process of cellular replication in the natural world,
I contemplate how memory, both biological and experiential, shapes my perception and understanding of the world.
Figures often emerge in my work, embodying fragments of memory and inviting me to reflect on my own existence.
My art is a vessel for self-discovery and self-awareness,
a visual diary of my journey towards authenticity.