Kathleen Lack, an award winning artist & teacher, works in oils and pastels, specializing in the portrait & the figure. She has garnered many family portrait commissions with up to 8 people in a single portrait. As with her portraits and figurative work, the body language and environment is informal, relaxed and fluid: kids playing at the beach, climbing trees, observing nature - people being themselves. Her work includes paintings of "The Ballet", a Western theme entitled "Boots, Hats, & Horses", "Musicians", & "Figuratives".

Kathleen is represented by and/or associated with Lyon's Head Gallery in Carmel Valley; Gallatin River Gallery, Big Sky, Montana; Portrait Society of America; Artisans Gallery, San Rafael; Loanna Clark Gallery, Petaluma; Marin Society of Artists, Ross; National League of American Pen Women, Golden Gate Branch; and Art League of Northern California, Novato.  

Artist's Statement  2005

“Figures are my inspiration. I paint from life & from photographic images, both of which can lead to an energizing & spontaneous event. 

Color is my passion. I love the never-ending search for color combinations and compositions that are exciting and compelling. 

Emotion is my glue.  I'm drawn to capturing the spontaneity  of children; the emotion between mother & child, and the beauty of the human form.”

Collection of Comments from Viewers of my work 

• Barbara Dougherty, Art Calendar
  “...my favorite piece is "Merav I" - it reminds me of my daughters and the immense emotion we shared in recognizing that they were becoming women. Thank you for your entry.”
• Mary Connell, Novato Advance
  “Portraiture has accounted for some of Kathleen Lack's finest work.  Working in oils, pastels and watercolors, her paintings are highly evocative.”
• Victoria Dalkey, Sacramento Bee Art Correspondent
  “Among the standouts are ... and a skillfully handled portrait of a woman playing the cello by Kathleen Lack of Novato.”
• Jim Attwood, web browser
  “As a former Mr. Mom I was quite intrigued with your portrait of the little girl. ... They don't stay little forever but portraits like yours keep us thinking they do.”
• Whit Taylor, Lyonshead Gallery
  “Your technique exemplifies the perfect equipoise between intergrity of form and expressive freedom.”

Exhibits, Awards, Publications:

• Finalist in The Artist's Magazine Portrait & Figure Competition for 2006
• American Art Collector - Alcove Books - p.60, copyright 2006
• American Art Collector, Alcove Books, copyright 2005
• Best of Show, IVA's Motion/Emotion 2005
• American Art Collector, Alcove Books, copyright 2004 p. 48
• Best of Show, IVA's In Respect to the Human Figure 2004
• Best in Show, Nor Cal Biennial,2003 NLAPW, Kendall-Jackson Wine Center Fulton, CA, for "At The Bar"
• Art of Northern California, Alcove Books, copywrite 2003, p. 132,133
• Vigil Gallery, Nevada City, Two person Show, 2003
• Sausalito Art Festival, 2003
• Falkirk, San Rafael, CA 2003 Juried Exhibition: "Before Class"
• Artisans "Scarlet": "Feather Fan" Open juried exhibition
• Third Place in IVA's "Define a Line" juried exhibition 2003
• Water Dragon Gallery: Invitational Group Show, 2002
• Solo Exhibition: Mt. Tam Raquet Club, Greenbrae, CA
• Second Place in IVA's "Habitat" juried exhibition 2002
• Best Of Show in IVA's "Arts & Flowers" for "Pink Ruffles" Juried exhibition April 2002
• Honor Award in NLAPW Bienniel 2002 National Art Competition in San Francisco for "Before Class"
• Best of Show in Gallery One's "Think Red" Exhibit for "Red Tights" November 2001
• Artisans "In Respect to the Human Figure": "The Ballet" & "The Orange Dress"
• Falkirk 2001 Juried Exhibition: "Camisole" and "The Veterinarian"
• Effie Belle Bowie Memorial Award, 2000 - NLAPW's 40th National Biennial Art Exhibit, George Mason Universary, Arlington, Virginia
• Award of Merit, at 1998 California Works, Calif. State Fair for "Black Hat"
• Marin Art Festival at the Lagoon, Juror '97 participant '97 thru '05
• Award of Excellence at 1996 California Works, Calif. State Fair for "The Cellist"
• Best of Show in Sumner Museum, Wash. D.C. NLAPW National Competition in May, 1996 for "The Flutist"
• Donald E. Works Memorial Award in 69th MSA Annual Show for "Blue Slip"
• Merit Award in Artisans "Human Figure" exhibition, 1996
• KTEH Preview Exhibit On air Art Auction, 1996
• Marin Open Studio participant 1995 - 2005
• First Place Award for "The Cellist", in Marin Society of Artists 1995 Exhibit
• Featured Cover Artist in "Arts, Antiques, and Collectables", July, 1992