MEET KATHLEEN!

How long have you been a working artist?

That’s a difficult question to answer, for sure. I feel I’ve been building a cohesive body of work since high school, although I have always had a creative spark. Artwork has been a very dominant aspect of my development, sense of self, and has existed as a passion of mine for as long as I can remember. My focus, intentions, and use of mediums have most significantly developed within the last four years. 

What media do you prefer?

Anything I can get my hands on, aside from flesh and biohazardous waste. Beeswax, moss, resin, and oil paints have ultimately been my primary mediums of choice. I don’t like to limit myself to just one in any piece, although I will, to the best of my ability, use whatever supplies I have on hand at the time.

Did you go to art school, if so where?

I attended Dreyfoos High School of the Arts in West Palm Beach for two years. In high school, my connection to my work became more personal, and my use of media became more experimental. The first time I worked with beeswax was my sophomore year of high school. I also attended Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi for about two years and spent way more time in the art/sculpture studio than I ever did on classwork. I never declared a major and dropped out early for health reasons, but I was introduced to oil paints in those two years at Millsaps. For that, I will be forever grateful.

Do you have graduate degrees?

Haha. No.

When did you first become interested in art?

I first became interested in art when I got my first box of crayola crayons.

How do you show your work if not in galleries?

I display them all around me for the time being. Some I give as gifts, others are stored wherever I can find space for them until the day I can get them on display. 

Where do you find inspiration for your art?

It feels very intuitive. I love to read, and I greatly value my friendships. I know these greatly impact my work. It’s very much an extension of my values, emotions, and experiences. My description is vague. The paintings exist to answer the question. I can’t quite find the words.

Do you sketch from life?  What kind of research do you do before starting a new piece?

I do a lot of research in psychology, and sense perception, anatomy, and biology. I like to people watch. I would say I do tend to sketch from life and it’s a very important part of my process. 

Do you have any advice for someone in high school who is studying art?

Don’t let yourself get in the way. 

Where were you born and where do you currently reside?

I was born in Montréal, Canada, but currently live in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

Does the place you live influence your art?

Definitely. My work evolves with my environment.

What person, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner?

I would invite Salvador Dali. 

And if I could invite one more person, it would be Jenny Gifford, my high school art teacher.

And my older sister, Sandra, who taught me more about art than she may know.

If you weren’t an artist, what would you do? 

At that point, I would not be me anymore haha. I suppose if I absolutely could not work as an artist, I would become a school teacher. I would not be the person I am today without the support and inspiration I have received from teachers and role models throughout my life.