Kathleen Mccarthy

I was born the last of eight children in Chicago, IL. At age five we moved to San Diego CA area. During my life I've moved twenty-seven times and ten thousand miles but have called San Diego home for the last forty years. What an incredible honor to experience America's diversity by living in such areas as Chicago, Hawaii, Idaho, Michigan, New York, Puerto Rico and more.
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Creation is my catalyst—especially the animal kingdom. We live within a realm of incredible diversity and beauty and mystery and my passion is to portray it so people will stop and ponder the wonder of it all. I love to offer moments of respite and reflection.

Scratchboard is my medium of choice. When I discovered it through a workshop it was love at first scratch. My whole career as a hairdresser was based on subtractive art and Scratchboard fit perfectly with the way my mind works. In cutting hair I had to focus on what I was taking away and what was being revealed—very much like sculpting or woodworking. There is also the tactile response I get from the process. I was a pioneer in this medium when it was not well known. Through perseverance of many talented Scratchboard artists it is now considered to be a wonderful and complex medium for fin...

Instruction and formal education is designed to teach us how to teach ourselves to ponder, explore and understand. In light of that, I am both formally educated and self-taught. I hold a Masters degree in Counseling Psychology which aids me in digging deeply into the souls of the images I represent.

. I’ve been influenced by thousands but these three are the most instrumental in launching my art career. THANK YOU!!! Heather Lara—Scratchboard artist who helped me develop courage and technique, Steve Schlictenmyer—art professor who taught art appreciation and discovering the fine line of drawing and composition. Marilyn Graham—workshop leader who first introduced me to the incredible Scratchboard medium

San Diego Museum of Art Artist Guild

2011 - 2014: Artist Guild Board of Directors
Present—International Society of Scratchboard Artists
Colored Pencil Society
Foothills Art Association
Laguna Art Festival Art-A-Fair
Arizona Fine Art Expo in Scottsdale
San Diego Artwalk
Carlsbad Artwalk
Sedona Art Festival
Idyllwild Wine Tasting Art Walk
Bernardoo Winery Arts and Craft Show