Biographical Information:
Kathleen Swaydan was born and raised in the Los Angeles area. Her interest in drawing and painting started at an early age and was influenced by her grandmother, who was a talented, self-taught painter. In 1994 Kathleen returned to school to study applied arts and art history and now holds two Bachelor of Arts degrees one in Art with an emphasis in painting and drawing, the other in Art History both from the University of Southern California. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Italian Renaissance Art History from Syracuse University, New York. Since completing her MA in 2003, she has focused on making art. She is a member of and exhibit with the Pasadena Society of Art and the Creative Arts Group in Sierra Madre; in addition she participates in a variety of local art fairs and shows.
Artist Statement:
A longstanding appreciation of Renaissance and Baroque art has influenced my interest in the still-life genre. In support of this appreciation I spent a year of study in Florence, Italy while attending Syracuse University. Further, the still-life genre interests me not only because of its long history, but also because it provides an unlimited supply of subject matter that can be "set-up" and drawn to tell a story.
For several years I have been combining a variety of organic and non-organic objects in a series of still life compositions, most of which contain a vessel or container the contents of which span the cycle of life and death. My compositions are executed in graphite on paper. The tactile quality of graphite allows me to build on the nuances of each surface represented by the objects in my compositions. Although the objects change from drawing to drawing, I strive for consistency in developing complex displays that engage the viewer.
I recently expanded my portfolio to include paintings of fruit and vegetables. These "portraits" interpret common objects colorfully dressed and cheerfully posed. This newer segment of my work is influenced by the ancient Greek and Roman tradition of "still life" paintings of foodstuffs: fruit, game, and eggs, which were frequently found on the walls of guest quarters. These images provided a visual banquet for their guests and evoked an impression of hospitality and generosity. This ancient tradition is the undertone of my watercolor paintings.
Solo Exhibitions:
Oct. 2010 MorYork Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
July 2010 The Coffee Gallery, Altadena, CA
Jan. 2006 Theosophical Society Library Gallery, Altadena, CA
Group Exhibitions:
Dec. 2009 McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
Nov. 2009 Arroyo Art's Collective, Discovery Tour 2009, Los Angeles, CA
Creative Arts Group, Sierra Madre, CA
Oct. 2009 Art on Palm, Altadena, CA
Sept. 2009 McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
June 2009 McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
May 2009 Pasadena Society of Artists, 84th Annual Exhibit, VIVA Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA
Apr. 2009 Pasadena Waldorf School Festival of Art, Altadena, CA
Mar. 2009 McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
Dec. 2008 McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
Nov. 2008 Art on Palm, Altadena, CA
Nov. 2008 Creative Arts Group, Sierra Madre, CA
Oct. 2008 Art in the Atrium, Studio City, CA
May 2008 Art on Palm, Altadena, CA
Apr. 2008 Pasadena Society of Artists 83rd Annual Show, Brand Library, Glendale, CA
McGinty's Gallery at the End of the World, Altadena, CA
Nov. 2007 Creative Arts Group Annual Art Festival, Sierra Madre, CA
Oct. 2007 Pasadena Society of Artists, Whites Gallery, Montrose, CA
Art on Palm, Altadena, CA
Aug, 2007 Pasadena Society of Artists, Los Angeles Arboretum, Arcadia, CA
June, 2007 Pasadena Society of Artists, 82nd Annual Exhibition, VIVA Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA
May, 2007 Art on Palm, Altadena, CA
Nov. 2006 Creative Arts Group Annual Art Festival, Sierra Madre, CA
July, 2006 Pasadena Society of Artists, 81st Annual Exhibition, VIVA Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA
Apr. 2006 Pasadena Society of Artists, Spring Exhibition, Whites Gallery, Montrose, CA
Dec. 2005 Pasadena Society of Artists, Holiday Exhibition, Whites Gallery, Montrose, CA
Nov. 2005 Creative Arts Group Annual Art Festival, Sierra Madre, CA
Awards & Honors:
May 2009 Honorable Mention
Pasadena Society of Artists, 84th Annual Exhibit, VIVA Gallery, Sherman Oaks, CA
Affiliations:
Pasadena Society of Artists
Creative Arts Group, Sierra Madre, CA
College Arts Association
Education:
2003 Master of Arts Degree: Italian Renaissance Art History, Syracuse University,
New York and Florence, Italy
2002 Bachelor of Arts Degree: Art History, University of Southern California
Bachelor of Arts Degree: Studio Art, University of Southern California
1975 Associate of Arts Degree: Fine Arts, Pasadena Community College
