M. Katherine Hurley is from a small town in Midwest Ohio called Gates Mills. It is known for its New England – like charm, rolling hill and horse farms. Horses were her first love and for the 17 years of Katherine’s life, she cared for and trained them. The barns became a sanctuary. Riding through the beautiful hills and valleys was a serene and soulful experience for her. These roots are the reason Hurley is so passionate about landscape painting. She believes we all need to be surrounded by this kind of beauty and peace and Katherine tries to portray this in her work.

Katherine concentrated in art in high school at Notre Dame Academy in Chardon, Ohio and in 1974 received a BFA at The College of Mt. St. Joseph in Cincinnati, Ohio. She continued her studies at The Art Academy of Cincinnati and worked with renowned colorist and landscape painter, Wolf Kahn. For over 30 years, she has been a working artist in Cincinnati, Ohio and has raised her family there. M. Katherine has exhibited in Europe and is represented in several premier galleries in the U.S.A. Her work is in numerous private and corporate collections throughout the United States. Hurley is a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America.

Katherine was honored to have a solo exhibit of her pastels at The Butler Institute of American Art in 2005. Her work has been featured in The Pastel Journal and most recently in The Artist’s Magazine (Jan./Feb. 2008 and June 2008). Hurley also enjoys teaching, primarily by giving workshops and mentoring young art students. Cincinnati art historian, critic and writer, Daniel Brown writes:

“Hurley’s work is the search for essences, not likenesses…and symbolically represents nature/ life, growth and beauty. The synchronicity of styles – between her own art and that of the American Luminists and the Song painters of the Northern and Southern dynasties- brings her to the forefront, in my opinion, of America’s contemporary landscape artists.”