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About 

Kathleen was born in Carthage, Tunisia and spent most of her childhood in Africa. After returning to the United States, she attended high school in New England and art school in Ohio. This upbringing, along with travel, contributed to her deep appreciation for people, culture, and our beautiful Earth. These challenge her to create: whether it be capturing portraits, painting the outdoors, or designing her home landscape. Kathleen uses all the tools of an artist, working with shape, value, color, texture, and design, in each of her creative endeavors. Currently living in South Carolina, she creates commissioned portraits and other representational work, as well as teaches classes and workshops. She also completed her Master Gardener* certification in 2021.

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Kathleen received her training in oils with four years of portrait painting in art school and in workshops with other professional artists. Her mentor and teacher Joe Cintron studied with Robert Brackman, who in turn studied with Robert Henri and others. However, she credits her knowledge and skill with other mediums to her early career as a medical illustrator. This multifaceted education sets her apart as an artist; her paintings have their own distinct style. Oils are traditional yet executed in a painterly manner, and her colored pencil and mixed media pieces are known for their detail, soft transitions, and beautiful color. Along with her studio practice, Kathleen considers it part of her mission to teach and foster other developing artists.

 

*A Master Gardener is someone who has undergone intensive horticultural training through a university extension office and then volunteers in their community by giving lectures, creating gardens, conducting research and other projects.

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Education

2016

Portrait Workshop with

Richard Christian Nelson

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2006

Portrait Workshop with Judith Carducci

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1987

BFA, The Cleveland Institute of Art

Solo Exhibitions

2022

Artists Guild Gallery, Spartanburg, SC

 

2017

The Warehouse Theater, Greenville, SC

 

2010

Lorain County Metroparks, Wellington, OH

Juried Festival
Exhibitions

2001 –2007

Boston Mills Art Fest // Peninsula, OH

Art By the Falls // Chagrin Falls, OH

Craft fair // Shaker Heights, OH

Festival of the Arts // Westlake, OH

Art in the Park // Medina, OH

Juried Exhibitions

2020

Artfields online exhibition // Lake City, SC

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2019

Thirty-Seventh South Carolina Juried Arts Competition // Pickens County Museum, Pickens SC

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Artisphere’s Artist of the Upstate Juried Show // Greenville, SC

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2017

Artfields // Lake City, SC

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2016

Artistphere’s Artists of the Upstate Juried Show // Greenville, SC

 

Annual Juried Exhibition, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg  //  Spartanburg, SC

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2015

Thirty-Sixth Annual Juried South Carolina Artists Competition // Pickens, SC

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2014

Annual Juried Exhibition, Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg // Spartanburg, SC

2013

Artisphere’s Artists of the Upstate Juried Show // Greenville, SC

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2012

39th Annual Juried Exhibition,Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg // Spartanburg, SC

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Thirty-third Annual Juried South Carolina Artists Competition // Pickens, SC

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Our Global Family // Spartanburg, SC

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2011

*Aquarius Exhibition // Medina, OH

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2010

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts Member’s Exhibition // Oberlin, OH

 

Valley Art Center 39th Annual Juried Art Exhibit, Valley Art Center // Chagrin Falls, OH

 

*Aquarius Exhibition Winners Show, Western Reserve Bank // Medina, OH

 

*Aquarius Exhibition, Medina County Library  // Medina, OH

2009

Portrait Society of America -Ohio Chapter Member’s Exhibition // Columbus, OH

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Firelands Association for the Visual Arts Members Exhibition // Oberlin, OH

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2007

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts Member’s Exhibition // Oberlin, OH

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2005

Medina County Art League Members Show // Medina, OH

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*denotes award earned

Teaching

2022 – present

Greenville Center for Creative Arts // Greenville, SC

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2013 –present

Spartanburg Art Museum -Art School // Spartanburg, SC

 

2003 – present

Studio of Kathleen Digney // Wellington, OH and Greenville, SC

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2012

Greenville County Art Museum -Art School // Greenville, SC

2008 - 2010

The Cleveland Institute of Art –Continuing Education and Community Development Department // Cleveland, OH

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Medina County Art League // Medina, OH

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Lake Erie Artist’s League // Avon Lake, OH

 

Lakewood Art League // Lakewood, OH

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2006 - 2010

Lorain County Community College Center for Lifelong Learning // Elyria, OH

 

Educational Services Center of Lorain County // Elyria, OH

 

Lorain County Community College - Children’s Learning Center // Elyria, OH

 

Firelands Association for the Visual Arts // Oberlin, OH

Employment History

2014 –2021

Art School Coordinator, Spartanburg Art Museum // Spartanburg, SC

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1990 –2003

Freelance illustrator of surgical books, medical magazines, and medical legal clients

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1988 –2001

Medical Ilustrator, MetroHealth Medical Center // Cleveland, Oh

Professional
Memberships

Portrait Society of America

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Metropolitan Arts Council // Greenville, SC

Residencies

St. Albert The Great Elementary School  // North Royalton, OH

Press

The Wellington Enterprise, Teaching artist still learning herself,December 16, 2008

 

The Chronicle Telegram, State of the (kid’s) art, July 5, 2004

 

The Wellington Enterprise, Smith Road Artists’ Studio to Open,September 2003

 

Northern Ohio Live, Artists of the Portrait, September 2000

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