Kathy Burnett
Artist Kathy Burnett is a multidisciplinary creative powerhouse whose artistic journey bridges both fine art and dance. Originally from Joliet, Illinois, Kathy earned her undergraduate degree in Dance Education from the University of Illinois and later earned her master’s degree in Dance Choreography from the University of Iowa. She has taught dance and choreographed for over 50 years, and has called Quincy home for the past 23 years. During that time, she owned and operated Burnett Dance Center and continues to teach dance today at QDance in Quincy. Kathy’s deep understanding of movement, balance, rhythm, and form directly influences her painting style—she sees dance composition and visual art as deeply connected, rooted in the same principles of design and expression.
Kathy’s love for drawing and painting began when she was a sophomore in high school, when she was introduced to the visual arts. Her first teacher specialized in human faces and taught an emphasis on painting eyes—something that remains deeply symbolic and inspiring in her work today. Over the years, Kathy has trained in multiple artistic mediums, including acrylics, watercolor, collage, and drawing. Her passionate focus is portraiture—she loves painting expressive, bold, colorful human portraits that bring personality, emotion, and presence to life. She also enjoys creating animal portraits, florals, and vibrant paintings inspired by nature. Many clients have commissioned Kathy to paint beloved pets, including memorial portraiture that carries deep emotional meaning and memory.
Her work combines abstract color choices, varied brushstrokes, and strong values to create three-dimensional depth. During the pandemic, she took online coursework with Bold School, where she pushed her approach even further—experimenting with surreal abstract color palettes, blurred edges, loose marks, high contrast values, and expressive, intuitive color mixing. She now creates portraits in unexpected palettes like purple cats, rainbow tones, blue shadows, and imaginative color compositions—all while preserving likeness, personality, and realism.
Kathy loves using a Sta-Wet palette to mix values of color in advance, giving her greater control, fluidity, and spontaneity when painting. Her favorite medium remains acrylics, and her favorite subject will always be faces.
Kathy was honored to receive an award for her painting Blues Night in the Hannibal Art Club Originale exhibition—an achievement that reinforces her passion to continue creating bold, experimental work.
Explore and enjoy the unique color experience of Kathy Burnett's expressive artwork in the gallery below.
Contact the Artist
Interested in learning more about Kathy Burnett or purchasing her original artwork? Reach out to Art Gallery 310 today or use the artist's contact information below to inquire about available pieces and exhibitions.
(925) 768-2049