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 does linger: do we ever feel as though we have arrived?

It is a journey of learning, growing, and evolving; and 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

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The endless connection with nature, its profound surprises, and the intricate dance of life continues to shape and direct my artistic expression. 

I remember a pivotal moment when a large beehive dropped from an oak tree in our backyard. The bees needed time to process what had happened, their frantic activity slowly subsiding until the hive was empty. Observing this taught me about the cycle of life, especially when I saw wax moths emerge from what seemed like a lifeless beehive. This experience revealed lessons about resilience, adaptation, and the interconnectedness of all living things. It also made me wonder about the complex and sometimes elusive nature 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.

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

My work explores the complex interplay of memory, identity, and personal evolution. Within this context, I draw inspiration from the San Francisco Bay Area artists, known for their suggestive figurative work that leaves room for interpretation. Nathan Oliveira, a leading figure in this movement, has significantly influenced my approach, especially in his ability to evoke emotion with minimal detail.

I also admire Lucian Freud, a British painter known for his psychologically charged portraits and bold impasto technique. His application of thick, textured layers of paint adds a unique depth and intensity to his work. This blend of influences informs my process, where I navigate the line between abstraction and representation.

Over the last five years, my exploration has centered on different media, including cold wax and oil, acrylic paint, and mixed media applications. This experimentation allows me to push boundaries and discover new ways to convey my themes and concepts. By combining various techniques, I create textures and layers that reflect the complexity of my ideas.

Memory plays a central role in my work. I see the human body as a container of memory—a vessel that carries our DNA, sensations, and recall of lived experiences. As someone with a mixed ethnic background, my sense of identity is a complex interplay of belonging and not belonging, often straddling different cultural lines. This ambiguity informs my practice, inviting me to explore themes of personal and collective memory while embracing the uncertainty of identity.

Often, a single figure emerges in my work, representing the solitary journey through the many layers of memory. These figures, sometimes abstracted and other times more defined, symbolize the search for clarity amid a backdrop of shifting identities. They can represent fragments of my personal journey or broader reflections on the human experience.

In essence, my art is a vessel for self-discovery, a visual diary that captures the moments of realization and the shifting perspectives that define my path. Through this process, I aim to share my journey with others, offering a space for connection and introspection.