CV HERE
Today Kathleen lives a bohemian life style, spending time in her home in Puerto Vallarta and visiting countries around the world during the summer months. Kathleen spends a month in Europe each year doing two to three week long workshops and then explores some of the most magical locations that show up time after time in her works of Whimscal Architecture.
Kathleen Carrillo went to college while she raised her family living in Oklahoma. She was grateful and honored that her multi-cultural heritage and perseverance allowed her to receive scholarships and complete her education. This taste of concentrated art was the beginning of her art exploration that took over 17 years. She received a Masters Degree in Painting and Printmaking because of her broad interest and fascination with the multiple aspects and mediums of the art industry. Today it is clear that the influence of her printmaking and color education have a strong impact on her art.
In the 4th grade Kathleen was lucky enough to have an art teacher that came to her classroom once a week. The art materials she was given to experiment and play with filled her with a joyful sense of well being. The first time she used watercolors, she created a small painting that moved like music and it took her breath away! The colors swirling on the paper were mesmerizing and she loved it. Her art teacher was so full of praise and surprise by what Kathleen created that she took it, had it framed and gave it to the principal to hang in the school office! It may have seemed inconsequential to Kathleen at the time, but today she realizes it was the beginning of her life’s journey and love affair with paints and brushes.
Growing up in Southern California, Kathleen had the good fortune of having parents that encouraged her. They both had the magic of a creative spirit and passed it on freely to their daughter. Her father was an amazing furniture maker and gardener who created beautiful nurturing spaces in their home. He even built her an elaborate playhouse, complete with furniture! If there was a school assignment that needed a creative touch, he was there with enthusiasm and creative hands to help.