ABOUT THE ARTIST
Born in 1964 in Beloit Wisconsin, Kathleen’s early love of realism was influenced by such artists as James Bama and John Waterhouse. Mostly self- taught from an early age, she became proficient in black and white mediums preferring graphite, charcoal, and ink over paint. She gradually moved into color mediums working in color pencil then finally delving into acrylics and oils. As a portrait artist in her 20’s she did extensive commissioned work for clients focusing on people, pets, and equine art. In 2000 Kathleen started her own faux finishing and mural business and relocated to Las Vegas, NV. Interior Design became a natural transition while working on residential and commercial projects. Clients often times had her in their home or businesses for 6 months to a year doing a wide variety of jobs from original artwork to entire floor layouts and design themes. She also branched out into iron furniture design, plasma cutting, and iron finishes. Her ability to create believable trompe’loi landed her work in several million dollar homes and parade homes and her large scale murals can be seen in various businesses across the U.S.
Kathleen relocated to Santa Fe New Mexico in 2011, and opened The Santa Fe Gallery near the historic downtown plaza. After 7 years she decided to uproot yet again. Now she divides her time between her
studio in Cave Creek , Arizona, Santa Fe, NM and her home in Wisconsin. At this stage of her life it’s about living in places that inspire her and painting the subjects that she is most passionate about. Her
close ties to native people and culture, as well as her own Chippewa ancestry has given her the desire to create meaningful pieces depicting and teaching about the spiritual side of native people, southwest genre, and the animals and wildlife that are dearest to her heart. She currently has devoted many of her paintings as well as her time to raising money and awareness for the MMIWG (missing and murdered indigenous women and girls movement).
Kathleen’s work has been exhibited in Wisconsin, Illinois, Nevada, Utah, Arizona, Washington DC and New Mexico and is in private collections across the United States and several countries.