Kathryn Gastelum

My paintings are my improvisation in color - or my “visual jazz”.

I believe beauty lies in everything…everywhere from desert tranquility to the energy
and brilliance of any big city. I believe color is intense and soul moving - like music.

As an abstract painter, colorist and spiritual soul, I’m influenced mostly by our versicolored, awe-inspiring southwest skies, travel and music -especially jazz music.
My painting inspirations are expansive but mostly derive from the French Impressionists, the Fauves and abstract masters like Richard Diebenkorn and Helen Frankenthaler.

When painting expressively, the most intriguing composition emerges and is then developed. When painting in realism, I connect with distant lands
like my penchant for the Sahara desert, sand dunes, cozy rooms, amazing skies or anything French! My paintings are created in the richness of oils and cold wax medium while french Jacquard dyes are the essence of my colorful silk scarves designs.

As a Tucson native, I received a BFA in Graphic Design from the University of Arizona and later found Interior Design to be intriguing and fascinating.
This led to further education and affiliation with the American Society of Interior Designe...

BFA in Graphic Design from the UArizona, Certificate in Interior Design

Red Dot Miami, Art Expo New York, Art San Diego,Art Santa Fe with Jen Tough Gallery