kmbgillmann@yahoo.com

Kathleen Best Gillmann has been painting and drawing professionally since 2006.  Like many artists, she showed talent in art at a young age. After completing two bachelor's degrees in the arts in the 1980's she worked initially in museums, then in an architectural firm, and later as a librarian before the opportunity came to focus on a career in the fine arts.

Since 2006 her work has juried into over 20 local shows most of these at the Art League in Alexandria, VA.  Her pastels and acrylic paintings have been accepted into two nationally juried shows - one at Strathmore Hall (Maryland Pastel Society's 2009 "Shades of Pastel" Show) in Maryland and the second at Gallery West (14th National Juried Show, 2011) in Alexandria, VA.  During this same time period her work has been honored with 4 awards, including a Best in Show for "Beach Houses at Lord's Point" and a First Place prize for "The Trees of the Field Shall Clap their Hands."  With gallery representation locally since 2007, several of her paintings are privately owned.

Ms. Gillmann has been a juried Associate Artist at the Workhouse Art Center (Lorton, VA) since January 2010 and in January 2011 joined the Loft Gallery in historic Occoquan, VA. 

 

Visit any of the following commercial galleries to see her artwork in person:
Bin Gallery at the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 North Union Street, Alexandria, VA 22314
Artist Associates' Gallery in building W-16, Lorton Workhouse Arts Center, 9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079 
Loft Gallery, 313 Mill Street, Occoquan, VA 22125
To view more of her work online check out the following links: www.WorkhouseArts.org/kathleengillman
www.Loftgallery.org
 or follow her blog at www.Artbykbgillmann.blogspot.com

 "The world will never starve for want of wonders, but for want of wonder."
                                                            - G.K. Chesterton 

 

Growing up in Maine, I explored and observed my surroundings with close attention and delight -- from sea anemones clinging to rocks in a coastal cave at AcadiaNational Park to the dark night sky revealing the Milky Way in its glorious splendor.  Soon I  began sketching and photographing what I found outdoors. 
Now a resident of northern Virginia,  I remain intrigued by many elements of the natural world.  The mercurial qualities of water and the moods of atmosphere, sunlight and weather continue to  amaze and stimulate my imagination.   It is this collection of internal and external images and my contemporary excursions outside with camera, sketch book, paints and easel that inspire my work today.

I have focused on acrylic paint for about 5 years due to its versatility and speed.  What might be done with oils, I do with acrylics.   I also use water color to be challenged by its fluidity and learn more about its luminosity.  Then when working in acrylic I may achieve that luminosity characteristic of watercolor. Or I may transfer the scumbled overlay of acrylic dry brush technique to my work in pastels.  To keep growing as and artist, I trust the value of working in several media and the cross pollination that results.
My goal is to embody my sense of wonder in our natural world through my landscape paintings and other studies of nature. It is my pleasure to share a bit of this awe-inspiring world with you.
                                                                                             -- Kathleen Best Gillmann