Artist’s Biography
Kathleen Cowie is a visual artist from the northeast of Scotland, UK and is currently based in Aberdeen.
Kathleen studied at Gray’s School of Art, Robert Gordon’s Institute of Technology [now Robert Gordon’s University] in Aberdeen from 1983-1987, graduating with a BA[Hons] in Fine Art, Drawing and painting. She also has an interest in printmaking and won the student printmaking prize in her third year at Gray’s. Kathleen then completed the Post Graduate Certificate in Education and became a teacher of Art and Design in Scottish schools for twenty-eight years, eighteen of those years as a Head of Art, and SQA marker for Art and Design.
Kathleen now focuses on developing her art, and tutors her own adult art group and specialist workshops for groups, communities, and clubs.
Kathleen has shown work with the Aberdeen Artists society, The Hospitals Trust, Peacock Printmakers Aberdeen, and the Meffan annual show in Forfar. Her figurative art has been featured in the international Artist and Illustrators Magazine and she has work in private collections.
Artist’s Statement
Kathleen Cowie works across several art specialisms. She draws and paints from direct observation, sometimes developing the imagery into further paintings, mixed media pieces and original prints. Kathleen also designs and makes kiln-fired enamel jewellery and small products which are abstract in colour, shapes and texture and are often functional. She is also a regular ‘urban sketcher’.
Kathleen’s inspiration is wide reaching but includes an enduring interest in figurative art and portraiture, aiming to capture likeness, posture tension and character, an authentic human presence.
The observation of both random and symbolic still life objects and artifacts is also a theme. As are coastal and urban features of the north-east of Scotland. As a wild swimmer and scuba diver the marine environment fascinates and Kathleen’s paintings and prints in this area quietly highlight the beauty and importance of sea life and the need for its’ protection.
Drawing underpins all of Kathleen’s art and she aims to produce work that has simplicity and directness, but also refinement.
