Welcome to my Studio!
Auckland Domain
Kathy worked as a nurse in the UK and NZ for many years before fulfilling a lifelong desire to go to art school later in life. Her family emigrated to New Zealand from England in 1980. She has sketched and painted all her life, and after her children became independent, studied for a Diploma in Fine Art at the Whitecliffe School of Art in Auckland.
The family sailed a traditional kauri sloop on the Hauraki Gulf, which gave her the opportunity to paint the beautiful island anchorages in all weathers, and the many features of life at sea.
Marine Folio
For two decades her work mainly Marine and Narrative paintings (see below), was exhibited in Auckland galleries, including Art by the Sea and Art of this World galleries in Devonport, and the Studio of Contemporary Art, Newmarket. Highlights of those years were working as a resident artist at Lake House Arts Centre in Takapuna, and organising the Stars and Stripes gallery in Auckland's Viaduct Basin during the 2000 Americas Cup Regatta.
Narrative Folio
Using mixed media, these narrative paintings, depict aspects of immigration social life in NZ and some environmental concerns.
French Series
Having visited France several times, once arriving in Paris on Bastille Day, and spending many happy hours discovering the delights of such places as Provence and Paris, it was just a joy to paint this French series and 'relive the moments.'
Waikato Landscapes Folio
Kathy moved to a rural area, South of Auckland ten years ago with her husband, to live near family and enjoy seeing grandchildren growing up. She built another studio and began a Waikato series of paintings depicting rural landscape and gardens, finding it a great way of becoming acclimatised.
'The wide open skies, the green pastures, trees - both native and exotic, mountains, rivers and lakes, together with isolated signs of habitation such as fence posts, farm houses with colourful gardens - and water tanks set high on a hill.
AND A HUGE SENSE OF SPACE AND FRESH AIR THAT MAKES IT ESSENTIALLY NEW ZEALAND.'
Pop Tondo Series
Pop Tondo Series - she recently decided to have a complete change for a while from the landscape painting of many decades, and use the digital expertise acquired in producing the 80 plus digital drawings for her husband's text book (on geothermal energy!) with her knowledge of traditional media. The concept for a multi image format followed on from the earlier Narrative Series.
Her work is held in private and corporate collections in N.Z. and Overseas, including Carter Holt Harvey, New York; Graeme Hart; Telecom NZ; Dennis Conner, Stars and Stripes Americas Cup Syndicate; and the Prada Americas Cup Syndicate.
Awards:
Finalist Telecom Art Awards 1992
Finalist North Shore City Art Awards 1994 to 2000
NZ Sugar Company Awards at Pumphouse, North Shore, Auckland - Seascape Award - 1995 and 1998, and Merit Award 2003.
Oil Painting Award, Mairangi Arts Centre Members Exhibition 2004
Influences:
The New Zealanders Toss Woolaston and James Nairn, the English artists J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, the Americans, Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer, and the Australian Heidelberg Group have been a source of inspiration in landscape and marine work.
Wallisy Kandinsky's work has always held a fascination for her with his wonderful use of colour and innovation.
Awards:
Finalist Telecom Art Awards 1992
Finalist North Shore City Art Awards 1994 to 2000
NZ Sugar Company Awards at Pumphouse, North Shore, Auckland - Seascape Award - 1995 and 1998, and Merit Award 2003.
Oil Painting Award, Mairangi Arts Centre Members Exhibition 2004
Influences:
The New Zealanders Toss Woolaston and James Nairn, the English artists J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, the Americans, Edward Hopper and Winslow Homer, and the Australian Heidelberg Group have been a source of inspiration in landscape and marine work.
Wallisy Kandinsky's work has always held a fascination for her with his wonderful use of colour and innovation.