Kathleen Gemberling Adkison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kathleen Gemberling Adkison
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| Born |
Kathleen Parks
July 5, 1917 Beatrice, Nebraska
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| Died | August 3, 2010 (aged 93) Spokane, Washington
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| Nationality | American |
| Known for | Painting |
| Movement | Abstract painting |
| Spouse(s) |
Thomas Adkison
(m. 1968) |
Kathleen Gemberling Adkison (born July 5, 1917 – died August 3, 2010) was an American artist. She was famous for her abstract paintings. Abstract art uses shapes, colors, and lines to show feelings or ideas, instead of drawing things exactly as they look.
Contents
Early Life and Art Training
Kathleen Gemberling Adkison was born in Beatrice, Nebraska. She went to high school in both Kearney, Nebraska and Seattle, Washington. From 1938 to 1942, she studied art and painting at the Cornish Institute. Her teacher there was Leon Derbyshire.
Her Art Career
Kathleen Adkison was a very important artist from the Northwest United States. She was one of the last artists who learned from Mark Tobey. Tobey was an artist who inspired Jackson Pollock, another famous painter. Many people thought Adkison was one of the best female artists in the Northwest.
Painting Style
Like Jackson Pollock, Adkison often painted with her canvas on the floor. She was one of the first women artists to use this method. Her paintings were inspired by nature. She loved to hike and would get ideas from rocks, trees, and tall grasses.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Adkison's art was shown in museums early in her career. In 1960, the Frye Art Museum had a special show just for her work. She also had a show at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture in Spokane, Washington, from December 1973 to January 1974.
She was a highly praised artist. In 1962, her work was chosen for Northwest Art Today at the Seattle World's Fair. Only eight women artists were included in this important exhibition.
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture held another special show of her work from March to June 1999. This was the first time her art had been shown in a major museum retrospective since 1974.
Personal Life
In 1968, Kathleen Adkison married Thomas Adkison, who was an architect. They had three children. Kathleen loved hiking and even climbed to the base camp of Mount Everest twice! She passed away on August 3, 2010, in Spokane, Washington.
