Kathy McCartney
Tropical Expression Artist
My love for the tropics formed during my early life while living on the beautiful island of Oahu in the “windward” city of Kaneohe, Hawai’i with my US Naval father and family. At the age of five we relocated to Southern California, my body went along but my heart and soul were forever captured by the Aloha Spirit and here it remained.
It wasn’t until my early 20’s that I would begin taking semi-annual trips to the islands and each stirred the yearning within to move here, to Hawai’i permanently. The return flights back to the mainland left me tearful and empty inside.
Marriage, giving birth to my beautiful son, and then divorce made me a single mother to raise a child on my own. Responsibilities and obligations kept me tied to the mainland longer than I had hoped and I was always searching for a way to quicken my return to paradise. The delay inspired me to paint images of Hawaii and the South Pacific. The ritual of painting kept me anchored to the place where my heart and soul were: Hawai’i.
Fueled by my mantra “take the leap of faith,” I purchased a second home, sight unseen, on the beautiful island of Maui. I scrimped and saved to keep this investment. One thing led to another and while working my corporate job as an Admin on the mainland, I started my side business “Maui Vision Rental” which I currently own and operate www.MauiVision.com
I’m proud of my independent son, who recently left the nest to pursue a career of his own in the Air Force, allowing me to follow my lifelong dream to reside in the land of Aloha.
There is so much to love about the Hawaiian Islands and in particular the “Maui Magic.” I am forever inspired by the visual wonders and my art is an expression of what the island experience means to me.
My work is inspired by Paul Gauguin for his use of color and his theme of tropical landscapes and people; Frida Kahlo for being a strong woman with her honesty, pain, depth and truth apparent in her self-portrait work; Walt Disney for his visionary ideas and innovations. I value all individuals that choose to live the inspired life!
I have expanded my art beyond canvas and now grind/etch and paint on metal. See my NEW three dimensional art that comes alive. You must see in person to get the full effect. The art can be purchased at a Maui Hands Gallery near you: Makawao, Paia, Lahaina and Ka’anapali. Visit their website for more details: https://www.mauihands.com/index.php
The Maui Magic has motivated me to write an inspirational book filled with comical twists and turns based on true life experiences. The book will go on sale mid December 2015 “The Maui Magical Mystical Tour” and what a ride it’s been!