artist statement and cv
There are many life experiences that cannot be portrayed in representational art. Expressing emotions is at the heart of my abstract work in acrylic and mixed media.
Utilizing my own life and the lives of others as inspiration, I reach deep into memories of emotion and life experience. Music often plays a role in my inspiration. I play music while I paint and songs trigger memories and emotions of times past and present. Sometimes the painting comes first and then the music solidifies it. Sometimes it’s the other way around.
Exploring new materials and applications brings joy to my creativity. I relish the textures and visual effects of paint and mixed media.The feeling of paint, its various viscosities, and adding subtle and not-so-subtle effects, allows me to express the subject and engage the viewer to feel what I feel. Perhaps even generating their own emotional memories.
Kathy OConner
Education
Regis University, BA Communication 1990
American Academy of Art, Fine Arts 1976
Northeastern Illinois University, Art Major 1974
Painting from the Source workshop 2001
Gallery and Community Involvement
Blue Bench Fundraiser, 2024
Colorado Women's Art Museum Member, 2024
Rescue Tails Animal Welfare Fundraiser, 2024
Oneness.Care Fundraiser, 2024
Genesis Gallery, Artist Liaison, Lakewood, CO 2023
40West Arts, Artist in Residency, Lakewood, CO 2023
Rescue Tails Animal Welfare Fundraiser, Chicago, IL, 2023
Mulholm School Closing Murals, Lakewood, CO 2023
Collier Hospice Art, Wheat Ridge, CO 2023
Mainstreet Gallery Fire Fundraiser, Lyons, CO 2023
Fortune FunRaiser, Lakewood United Methodist Church, Lakewood, CO 2023
Rescue Tails Animal Welfare Fundraiser, 2023
Women's Caucus for Art, Traveling Murals 2022-23
40West Arts, Denver, CO 2022-2023
Women’s Caucus for Art, Mural Team, Colorado 2022-2024
Art for Anxiety, Facilitator, Lakewood, CO 2023
City of Lakewood, Lakewood Cultural Center Adjunct Faculty 2023
Paint Like Crazy, owner & facilitator 2002-2003
Exhibits
Colorado Women's Art Museum, 2024
The Blue Bench Exhibit, 2024
Rising Up, Clio Hotel Denver, 2024
Nature's Palette, Genesis Gallery, 2024
Body of Knowledge, Next Gallery, 2024
Colorado Women's Day Exhibit, 2024
Love's Tapestry, Group Show, Genesis Gallery 2024
Women's Caucus for Art, Taking Up Space, Curtis Center for the Arts, 2023
5 Elements Capstone Solo Exhibit; Genesis Gallery 2023
Genesis Inaugural Exhibition 2023
Mint & Serif, solo show 2023
Womens' Caucus for Art Member showcase 2023
40West Member Showcase 2023
Blue Bench Exhibit, 2023
Leopold’s Music as Muse show 2023
Marigold Larimer Square show 2022
40West Textures show 2022
Audacity, solo show 2022
French Press, solo show 2022
Main Street Gallery,Small Works show 2022
40West Women’s Homelessness Art Benefit 2022
LasLagunas Gallery 50+ Exhibit 2022
LasLagunas Gallery Women in Art show 2022
Colorado Mills Gallery 4-½, group show 2022
40West Arts, group shows (2) 2022
Serenity Studios, solo show 2005
Trocadero Apartments, solo exhibit 2003
Java Creek, solo show 2000
Pearl Street Cafe, solo show 1999
Chicago Community Arts, Finalist 1976