Kathleen Kalinowski is a contemporary impressionist painter who is deeply captivated by the light, atmosphere, and colors of the landscape. Her passion for painting en plein air - directly from nature - allows her to fully immerse herself in the beauty around her, interpreting and capturing its essence in her work. Kathleen’s plein air paintings enrich her studio work by preserving the memory and poetry of a particular place and time, ensuring that her studio pieces retain the vividness and immediacy of her outdoor experiences. A lifelong resident of west Michigan, Kathleen’s home and studio are harmoniously integrated into the natural surroundings, featuring a pine forest, a perennial garden, and a pond flowing into the Rogue River. This idyllic setting, combined with her fascination with Michigan’s waterways and the Great Lakes, profoundly influences her vibrant paintings. Her work has earned numerous awards and has been featured in prestigious regional and national exhibitions, as well as in solo and gallery shows. Kathleen has also been actively involved in her local art community, teaching and mentoring aspiring artists. In recent years, she has expanded her artistic exploration to include the landscapes and cultures of Ireland, Germany, Italy and France. Notably, Kathleen participated in the Land Conservancy of West Michigan’s Preserved! Initiative, creating artwork on site inspired by protected areas and contributing to a documentary about the program. ARTIST STATEMENT - As a contemporary impressionist and tonalist painter, the inspiration and concepts which inform my work stem from memory and years of painting outdoors en plein air. I interpret the poetry of the landscape around me by using oil and pastel, articulating the mood, luminous light, and nuances of movement that I find in nature.