ARTIST STATEMENT:As a lifelong artist, creativity is essential to who I am. Creativity involves taking risks, which lead to opportunities for unique self-expression. Freedom, expression, and chaos eventually transform into something edgy, daring, and distinctive. What begins as a process of loosening up and connecting with my subject quickly progresses into an exhilarating and joyful painting. Layer upon layer of paint invites the viewer to explore the history beneath the surface of my canvas, revealing unexpected marks and colors, remnants of words, and inspiring verses. My deepest desire is to convey the joy I experience with every brushstroke. BIOGRAPHYRecognized for capturing sunlit radiance in her paintings, Kathleen is often inspired by island life and coastal vibes, encompassing rustic architecture, tropical flora, and local lifestyle. Growing up in South Florida and spending extensive time in the Florida Keys and the Bahamas has significantly influenced her choice of subject matter and color palette. The foundation for Kathleen’s work is grounded in her passion for painting, combined with early formal art education, including a BFA degree in graphic design from the University of Miami. Incorporating essential elements common to a successful painting, such as composition, values, light, and color, remains key to her achievements. This exciting journey has led Kathleen from painting in watercolors to using oils, gouache, and her current preferred medium, acrylics. Starting her career in watercolors, she became one of the country’s leading licensed artists, with her artwork appearing on numerous home décor and gift products. These include wallpaper, kitchen, and bathroom collections, available through stores such as Bed Bath & Beyond and HomeGoods. Emerging into a successful impressionistic artist, often working en plein air, Kathleen has won notable awards, yet is inspired to explore and grow beyond current limitations and challenges. Her contemporary abstracted expressions allow her to freely express herself unreservedly with a fresh and impassioned approach, utilizing unconventional painting tools while still preserving her signature style. Each layer of paint reveals the history beneath the surface, inviting viewers to explore the surprising marks, colors, remnants of words, and inspiring verses. This freedom of expression transforms into the unexpected beauty of a painting intended to express joy. Her work, featured in prominent art magazines and periodicals, also appears in movies and television series. Kathleen remains a highly sought-after teacher at reputable art centers, both in person and online, nationally and internationally. She is a member of the American Impressionist Society, National Oil and Acrylic Society, and serves as an official United States Coast Guard artist. Her collectors include the producers of the movies Titanic and Avatar, various corporate executives, and political appointees. Her original paintings can be found in galleries, exhibits, and juried plein-air events throughout the country. Kathleen treasures her God-given talent and often says that when she paints, she feels the presence of God in her life. Her deepest desire is to share joy with every brushstroke. “I have filled him with the Spirit of God…to make artistic designs.”— Exodus 31: 3-4