Moving from pen and ink realism drawing to building clay sculptures of animals vastly widened my creative world. I am no longer bound by nature's rules. Not having to copy what has already been created in nature is a gift I have been given, and I cherish it. My work is an exploration of animals and their experiences in life. Each piece asks how they feel, how they look and what is their narrative. My soft, fun approach to live animals is always reflected in my work. My work always exudes whimsy. It is exciting and freeing to see their ear get pulled out too long or their nose pushed in uncharacteristically. Watching as the piece begins to show a personality, joy or concern in a whimsical style is quite freeing. When hearing others say they feel something when seeing one of my pieces, I know I have met that sculpture’s goal. There is no greater joy than building whimsy.

I was born in Stockton, California. Though she came from a family of artists with BFA and MFA following each of their names, Kathleen chose a different path. While art was always her passion, Kathleen’s education (BSBM) and career path was business.  She was attracted to the objective approach of outcomes. Throughout her life long business career, her independent study of animals and animal anatomy was an obsession feeding her artistic expression over 30 years. Kathleen’s medium was the exacting pen and ink drawings of animals in all walks of life.  Kathleen found her obsession of a push for realistic perfection very unforgiving and always completely void of color. A life altering accident changed everything Kathleen knew and could do with her life’s artistic expression

Thankfully, the discovery of clay hand building became her “artistic saving grace” two years ago. Kathleen discovered her love for animals could be transferred to clay without need for the exacting details she required of herself in her drawing. She was euphoric to find she could embrace creative license. Kathleen has become confident in her own style and enjoys the whimsy versus realism version of work she now presents.  With no formal training, she enters and places in many important shows within Northern California quite often. Kathleen enjoys the spontaneity of clay hand building.  She loves the excitement of walking into her studio with no preconceived ideas as to what she will build that day. She says she is inspired by her quirky sense of humor and believes she shares that with her animals