Artist profile
Kathryn
Fenton
Kathryn is an expressive figurative/landscape artist with a history of exhibiting her work in Sydney, Brisbane and the Coffs Harbour Region for 30 years. Her work is otherworldly and influenced by the Baroque and Rococo periods and poetry. She is the recipient and finalist in a number of art prizes including EMSLA National Still Life and Hurford Portrait Prize and several regional awards.
Born in Queensland, Kathryn holds a diploma in Visual Communication and Graphic Design at the Brisbane College of Art. It was here she also developed a keen interest in photography and film making and her short films gained her a scholarship at the Australian Film and Television School in 1980. She spent the next 15 years working in the film and television industry in Australia and Asia.
This filmic background has played a large part in her later development as an artist. Her large floral landscapes in particular take on a dramatic cinematic presence. For many years her work has been heavily influenced by the Baroque and Rococo periods. They act as springboards for her to create utopian worlds for man and nature to reside in against the constant murmuration of discontent and chaos in humanity.
Her expressive style moves between naturalism and the abstract and her goal is always focused on the light, energy and looseness in her paintings. The landscape in all its moods and forms is central to her heart and Kathryn inevitably strives to experiment with oils and mixed media to interpret this ever-fascinating genre.
Artist Quote
- Grand Champion Award Sawtell Art Prize 2017
- Finalist in the National Still Life Art Prize 2014 -2018
- One month Art Residency in Provence 2025
Artist Interview
What medium do you work with, and why have you chosen them?
I mainly work in oils and acrylics. As I often use several layers where the underpainting peeks through the final layers, this creates a transparent affect, the fractured shards of light and disorder add insight into other worlds separate from what's happening on the surface.
How does your artwork get from initial concept to exhibition stage?
I spend a great deal in the conceptual stage before paint ever touches the canvas. The first idea may come from a piece of mythology or classical poetry. The European masters from the 17th and 18th century have a large influence, especially in composition of the work and choice of palette. I may then use several old master references along with my own painting sketches that I cut and paste both physically and digitally till I am happy with the feel and composition. Saying this, it only acts as a guide as the final version will be a mixture of purpose and happenstance.
Can you tell us a little more about your creative working environment/studio?
About 19 years ago my family made the move from Sydney's Northern Beaches to the Coffs Harbour region. It is an environmental paradise here with inspiration at every turn from the coast to the bush and rainforests only minutes away. I initially worked from a small makeshift studio for years, but when I turned to painting full time my husband built me a large purpose built studio in our home only a few minutes’ walk to the beach.
