BIOGRAPHY
Kathy’s major creative influence comes from her father, Arctic artist Maurice Haycock, and his long time painting partner A. Y. Jackson of the Canadian Group of Seven. Their paintings and stories of Canada’s wilderness filled her world as she was growing up. Arctic trips with her father in 1976 and 1984 introduced her to the irresistible lure of the North.
After years as a fiber artist and tapestry weaver Kathy was introduced to oil paints in 1998 by her sister Karole, an experienced painter who had been taught by their Dad Maurice. She instantly fell in love with them. Now a dedicated plein air painter, she finds unlimited inspiration right outside her home in Eastern Ontario’s Algonquin wilderness. But she also follows her spirit on adventurous painting trips to natural landscapes across Canada and beyond: Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland; Greenland, Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Yukon and Alaska, northern Alberta and BC and the American Southwest.
Being there in the wilderness landscape evokes a strong connection with nature. Kathy intuitively shares this rich bond with the viewer in her paintings, with rhythmic compositions, expressive brushwork and fresh colours. She displays her work, develops themes on large canvases in her Woodland Studio in Ontario. A second studio in Arizona is her base for outings into the Superstition Wilderness, the Four Corners region and into New Mexico.
Kathy exhibits in solo and juried group shows across Canada. Her award winning paintings are featured in numerous books and publications. Her work is represented in public and commercial galleries and in private, public and corporate collections across Canada and internationally.
Kathy is a firm supporter of conservation, annually donating a portion of her art sales to environmental causes.
Memberships:
- SCA Society of Canadian Artists (elected)
- OSA Ontario Society of Artists (elected)
- AFC Artists for Conservation (invited)
- Federation of Canadian Artists (elected active member)
- Madawaska Valley Studio Tour (juried)
- Fellow of the Royal Canadian Geographic Society (invited)
- Women’s Art Association of Canada
- Polar Artists Group (elected)
Plein air painting groups:
Kathy, AY Jackson, Maurice Haycock, Karole standing in front of the historic Studio Building, 25 Severn St., Toronto.
Kathy (left) and Karole enjoying Kathy’s first lesson, Fall 1998.
Kathy’s very first painting, Lake Clear, 8 x 10, Oil on Panel, 1998. This is the same scene on the same bay as the large canvas on the easel, below. Pine on the Bay, 40 x 30, 2017.
Kathy in her studio.
Kathy and her sister, Karole Pittman met Canadian artist Doris McCarthy on an adventure cruise in the Arctic in 2002. The acclaimed artist became an important mentor, inspiration and warm friend. She emphasized to Kathy that every painting should tell a story.