Kathleen O’Brien has been a professional artist since 1968.
Being born in Japan, living in Italy and traveling the world with her family placed her on the path as an artist. At age twelve she learned oil painting and the love of art paper from her grandfather. During high school in Germany, she studied printmaking at Kunstshule Rödel, Mannheim. This was followed by two years in the BFA program at Daemen College. While in Washington, DC she studied oil painting, and served as teaching assistant, at the Corcoran School of Art. During her 30 years living in Boulder, CO, she created and exhibited paintings, drawings and crafts. While employed at Naropa University she taught through the Extended Studies Program. Her love and respect for nature was deepened while studying with Native American Elders, especially Wallace Black Elk.
In 1999 she designed the home her husband built on Sunwise Farm and Sanctuary in Kentucky. Her desire to create more loosely led her to combine drawings, water media and botanicals in a collage format. Her lifestyle now is like a collage, integrating art and gardening. She continues to develop their land as a destination for classes, open studios and art salons.
