About Kathleen

Kathleen Erin is a professional portrait and figurative painter working primarily in oil. Her work is grounded in careful observation, structure, and layered color, seeking to capture the quiet presence and humanity of her subjects.

She studied painting, drawing, and sculpture at Carnegie Mellon University, graduating with high honors and receiving multiple awards in painting. Her training included extensive study of anatomy and form, which continues to inform her approach to portraiture and the figure.

Kathleen Erin has exhibited her work in galleries and juried exhibitions since the late 1980s, with paintings and sculptures held in private collections across the United States. In addition to painting, she has worked in sculpture, design, and teaching—experiences that strengthened her understanding of form, material, and craftsmanship.

Today her work is presented under the body of work Art by Kathleen – Part Deux, marking a renewed phase of focused studio practice and artistic clarity. Her paintings often draw from personal subjects—family members, familiar interiors, and quiet moments of daily life—allowing her to explore presence, character, and emotional authenticity.

Kathleen Erin is a member of Oil Painters of America and the National Oil & Acrylic Painters' Society (NOAPS). Recent honors include an Award of Merit in the NOAPS Online Spring Exhibition, selection for the 2026 Oil Painters of America (OPA) Exhibition of America's Small Paintings, selection for the 2026 NOAPS Best of America Small Works International Juried Exhibition, and selection for the 2026 NOPAS Best of America International Juried Exhibition.

Kathleen Erin lives and works in the Pittsburgh region.