'Beach at Honfleur' by Kari McCarthy, 2005, Hawaiian Woman Artist, Giverny, San Francisco Art Academy

Description

Signed lower right, 'Kari McCarthy' (American, 20th century), signed, verso, dated 2005, and titled, 'The Beach at Honfleur'.

Publisher and … more Signed lower right, 'Kari McCarthy' (American, 20th century), signed, verso, dated 2005, and titled, 'The Beach at Honfleur'.

Publisher and artist Kari McCarthy first studied graphic design at the San Francisco Academy of Art. McCarthy says: “Graphic design taught me to pay attention, to observe details, letter forms and spacing, the effects of light on architectural elements. Being in San Francisco exposed me to the finest of the finest, and though I came into fine art through the back door of graphic design, I’m grateful for the discernment it taught me." McCarthy began to study fine art only after establishing herself as an award-winning graphic designer. She first studied with Dick Nelsom, inventor of the Tri-Hue method, and landscape artist George Allan, before visiting Giverny, France which confirmed her passion for light and color (2001). In 2003, she was invited to join a Maui artists’ collective, and has since become one of Maui’s preeminent colorists. Kari McCarthy has exhibited with success throughout Hawaii, including at the Hui No‘eau Visual Arts Center (2002, 2003), Art Maui (2002, 2004, 2005) and at Viewpoints Gallery, Makawao, Hawaii (2002-2005) among other museums, exhibitions and galleries.

Of her art, Kari says: “My passion is visual phenomena, particularly atmosphere and luminosity. I paint landscapes, but it’s the color of nature I’m after. Once you remove your preconceptions—that grass is green, the sky is blue, clouds are white and gray—careful observation reveals the true colors. The road before you may be black or gray at noon, but under different light, it can look lavender or peach. Light is the unifying force.” less