Kathleen McDonnell (American, 1943- ) is a signature member of the Pastel Society of America, the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, and the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and an artist member of the Buffalo Society of Artists as well as many other local art organizations. She has received local and national awards including the Award of Distinction from the Midwest Pastel Society, Merit Awards from the Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, Scholarship Award and the Elizabeth Mowry Award from the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and the B&V Griffuni Purchase Award from the Pastel Society of America. Kathleen received a B.S. and M.S. in Art Education from State University College at Buffalo and attended workshops with Pastel Artists Doug Dawson, Albert Handell, Anna Contes, Ben Konis, Elizabeth Mowry, Richard McKinley, and mentoring programs with Albert Handell.
Living in a rural area in Western New York has influenced Kathleen's desire to paint landscapes. The quiet atmosphere of the country with the hills, streams, and trees, drew her to plein air landscape painting. This sense of "peace and tranquility" is often seen in her paintings. Kathleen calls the painting experience "yoga of the mind". She tries to evoke an emotion in the viewer through her use of light and color. She sometimes paints in a series to explore her subject at different times of the day, year, or different viewpoints. The pastels that she completes in the studio are from plein air paintings and or her photographs.
Artist Statement:
"As an artist I have always felt that my environment has influenced my choice of subject matter. The changing seasons create a new palette with new sounds, colors, shapes and textures and these elements influence my continued desire to capture that "moment in time". Each of the seasons of the year has its own unique elements.
Living in the woods has helped me build a connection with the landscape. While the familiar subjects are important, the mood of these landscapes touches me more deeply. It’s not just a rock, tree, or a wildflower, but how these parts are connected. I try to capture the spirit, strength, beauty, and power that exist in the landscape through light and color. This process captures the mood and not just the place. Copying a particular scene has never been my desire, but the spirit of that particular place has always been my focus. I want my audience to feel the emotions I feel when viewing my pastel and then I will have accomplished my goal."
Artist’s Website: kathymcdonnell.com
Juried Exhibitions:
2021- International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Juried Gallery Exhibition at the Zhou B Art Center in Chicago, IL.
2020- Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Exhibition Carnegie Art Center, cyber exhibition, North Tonawanda, NY.
2019- Buffalo Society of Artists Catalogue Exhibition, Sisti Gallery North, Pendleton, NY. Changing Seasons: The Byway Experience, Harold L. Olmsted Gallery, Springville NY. International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Convention 2017, Albuquerque, NM.
2018- "For Pastels Only On Cape Cod 2012", National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA.
2017- Buffalo Society of artists Spring Exhibition, Kenan Center House Gallery, Locust Street, Lockport, NY. Changing Seasons: The Byway Experience, Harold L. Olmsted Gallery, Springville NY. International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) Convention 2017, Albuquerque, NM. Renaissance in Pastel " National Exhibition, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT.
2016- Renaissance in Pastel " National Exhibition, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT.
2015- Pastel Painters of Maine International Juried Exhibition of "Pastels Only" Lewis Gallery, Portland Public Library. 119th Buffalo Society of Artists Catalogue Exhibition, Buffalo Center for the Arts and Technology, Buffalo, NY. 43rd PSA Annual Exhibition : Enduring Brilliance, Grand Gallery, The National Arts Club, NYC. "For Pastels Only On Cape Cod 2012", National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA. "Pastels By Invitation" A Significant Exhibition of Exceptional Artwork, Creative Arts Center, Chatham, MA.
2014- "For Pastels Only On Cape Cod 2012", National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA. "Pastels By Invitation" A Significant Exhibition of Exceptional Artwork, Creative Arts Center, Chatham, MA.
2013- "Signature 2013" Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod's Signature Members Show, Cape Cod Museum of Art. 2016, 2017- Renaissance in Pastel " National Exhibition, Slater Memorial Museum, Norwich, CT. Buffalo Niagara Art Association Fall Exhibition, Carnegie Art center, North Tonawanda, NY. "For Pastels Only On Cape Cod 2012", National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA. "Pastels By Invitation" A Significant Exhibition of Exceptional Artwork, Creative Arts Center, Chatham, MA.
2012- "For Pastels Only On Cape Cod 2012", National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA. BNAA Spring Exhibition, Partners In Art Gallery, North Tonawanda, NY.
2011- Pastel Painters of Maine's 12th International Juried Exhibition, Pastels Only", Heartwood College of Art, Kennebunk, ME. "Pastels By Invitation" A Significant Exhibition of Exceptional Artwork, Creative Arts Center, Chatham, MA. BNAA Spring Exhibition, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
2010- Connecticut Pastel Society 17th Annual National Exhibition "Renaissance in Pastel 2010", Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, CT. For Pastels Only on Cape Cod 2010, National Juried Exhibition, Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, MA.
2009- Pastel Perfect: A Survey of Western New York Pastel Artists, An Invitational Exhibit, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. Pastel Society of America 37th Annual Open Juried Exhibition for "Pastels Only", National Arts Club Grand Gallery, NYC. Connecticut Pastel Society 16th Annual National Exhibition, "Renaissance in Pastels, Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, CT. BNAA Kenan Summer Exhibition, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. Buffalo Society of Artists Spring Exhibition, Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural Site, Buffalo NY.
2008- Niagara Frontier Regional Exhibition, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY. 4th National Small Works Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo NY. Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastels USA 22nd International Open Exhibition, Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA. International Association of Pastel Societies (IAPS) 11th Exhibition, Butler Museum, Youngstown, OH.
2007- Pastel Society of America, Inc. 35th Annual Exhibition for "Pastels Only", National Arts Club, NYC. The Twelfth Annual For Pastels Only On Cape Cod National Exhibition, Chatham, MA. Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastels USA International Open Exhibition, Carmichael, CA. Pastel Painters Society of Cape Cod, "Welcome Spring" Exhibition, Falmouth, MA.
2006- The Eleventh Annual For Pastels Only On Cape Cod National Exhibition, Chatham, MA. Buffalo Niagara Art Association Annual Fall Exhibition, Fineline Gallery, Buffalo, NY. Buffalo Society of Artists Catalog Exhibition, Anderson Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
2005- Buffalo Society of Artists Catalog Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, NY.
Awards/Honors: 2019, Buffalo Society of Artists 123rd Catalogue Exhibition, Sisti Gallery North, Pendleton, NY, Bronze Medal; 2019, Buffalo Niagara Art Association Spring Exhibition, Best of Show Award, River Art Gallery, North Tonawanda, NY; 2017, International Association of Pastel Societies 30th Juried Exhibition, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Honorable Mention; 2017, Buffalo Society of Artists, 121st Catalogue Exhibition, Buffalo Center for Arts and Technology, 68shots Award; 2017, Buffalo Society of Artists, Spring Exhibition, Kenan Center House Gallery, Frame and Save Award; 2015, Mike Mahon Pastel Porter Award, Pastel Society of America Enduring Brilliance at the Grand Gallery, National Arts Club, in NYC; 2015, Ruth Richeson Gold Award, in the 17th Annual Pastel Journal 100 Competition; 2015, Best of Show, Allentown Art Festival, Buffalo, NY; 2014 & 2016, First Place Graphics, Allentown Art Festival, Buffalo NY; 2013, Best of Show, Buffalo Niagara Art Association's Fall Exhibition, Carnegie Center, North Tonawanda, NY; 2012, First Place, Graphics, Allentown Outdoor Festival, Buffalo, NY; 2012, Award of Excellence, Buffalo Niagara Art Association 2012 Spring Exhibition, Partners in Art Gallery, N. Tonawanda, NY; 2011, Best of Show, Buffalo Niagara Art Association Small Works Show, Artsphere Studio and Gallery, Buffalo, NY; 2011, Merit Award, Buffalo Niagara Art Association Small Works Show, Artsphere Studio and Gallery, Buffalo, NY; 2011, Marge Norton Memorial Award, Buffalo Niagara Art Association Spring Exhibit, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY; 2010, Deserving of Recognition Award, at the Impact Gallery's, "En Plein Air Exhibition" in Buffalo, NY; 2010, Best of Show Award, at the "Buffalo Niagara Art Association's Fall Exhibition", at the Art Dialogue Gallery in Buffalo, NY; 2010, Second Place Graphics, Allentown Outdoor Art Festival, Buffalo, NY; 2009, Pastel Society of America Award, Connecticut Pastel Society's 16th Annual National Exhibition, "Renaissance in Pastels" Mattatuck Museum, Waterbury, CT; 2009, Honorable Mention, BNAA Kenan Summer Exhibition, Lockport, NY; 2009, Third Place Graphics, Allentown Outdoor Art Exhibit, Buffalo, NY; 2008, Best of Show, Buffalo Fine Arts League Fall Open Exhibition, Art Dialogue Gallery, Buffalo, NY; 2008, Sheila Whalen Memorial Best Realism in Drawing Award, Niagara Frontier Regional Exhibit, Kenan Center, Lockport, NY; 2008, Elizabeth Mowry Award, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastels USA, International Open Exhibition, Stockton, CA; 2007, Scholarship Award, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Pastels USA, International Open Exhibition; 2006, Merit Award, Buffalo Niagara Art Association Fall Exhibition, Fineline Gallery, Buffalo, NY; 2006, Merit Award, The Eleventh Annual National Exhibition, For Pastels Only On Cape Cod, MA; 2007 & 2005, Best of Show, Centennial Art Center, Spring Show, Hamburg, NY; and 2006, First Place, Graphics, Allentown Art Festival. Buffalo, NY.
Publications: Pastel 100 Pastel Journal, April 2016, Ruth Richeson Pastel Gold Award, "Silence #2"; Pastel 100 Pastel Journal, 2017 Two Honorable Mentions in Landscape and Interior Category, "And the Queen Anne's Lace", "Morning Walk"; Artist's Magazine, December 2017, "Fields of Gray", A limited palette; Strokes of Genius 7, "2015, Morning Mist" published by North Light Books, artistnetwork.com; Strokes of Genius 8, 2016, "Silence #2", published by North Light Books, artist network.com; Strokes of Genius 9, 2017 "Silence #3", "The Sentry#2", and "Silence #2", published by North Light Books , artist network.com; and Strokes of Genius 12, 2020 "Sun Catchers#5" Honorable Mention Award, Artists Network.
(Source: Biographical information, résumé and portrait photo from the artist’s website.)
