Kathleen Hafley
Working primarily in acrylic, she is a prolific painter, painting subjects that intrigue her in an energetic, lively style. Originally from Austin, Texas, Kathleen was always interested in art. As a youngster, she took classes at the Laguna Gloria Art Museum. In 1990, she graduated with a BFA from the School of the Art in Chicago.
She then pursued an art career by working in various art galleries, from Chicago to San Diego. During the mid nineties, Kathleen Hafley sold her art at the Gathering Artist Gallery. She was also commissioned by a local business to paint murals. It was in 2003, after moving back to Texas, that Kathleen began working with animal rescue.
Her love for animals caused her to seek employment in a No Kill Shelter, Operation Kindness, and other animal care businesses . When she returned to painting in 2007, it seemed natural to combine her two loves - animals and art. Kathleen's passion for animals is apparent in her acrylic paintings, which capture the unique personalities, and temperament, of the creatures that delight her. Over the years she has been commissioned to paint many beloved pet portraits. In 2008, she was awarded a commission to paint a portrait of "Pam", an Operation Kindness Dog, that had passed away. The painting is now hanging at the Shelter in her memory. Kathleen Hafley is also actively interested in charity events. She once took part in a Celebrity Chair Auction with John Travolta. She donates paintings for various animal charity events, such as the Zoo-a-Palooza for the Dallas Zoo and the Canine Cats and Cabernet Event, for Operation Kindness.
Although she is comfortable with working in multiple media, she generally favors acrylics as her medium of choice . She is diligent about the capturing the essence of her subjects, whether the work is commissioned or not. Her work reflects her genuine love for the subject and evokes an immediate response in the viewer, whether it is awe, wonder, or amusement.
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