Artist Name: KATREN CLEO

As a charcoal portrait artist I am drawn to capturing the essence of emotion and gesture through meaningful connection. A simple gaze that reveals a moment, private or shared, that connects the viewer to the subject’s spirit. I have always been drawn to portraiture. First with photography and now with charcoal. The medium has evolved but the connection in how I see and interpret has not. My work over the last 25+ years has always been an exploration of individual emotions through expressive soulful representation. Portraiture is the enduring art form by which I describe, and celebrate the uniqueness of the individual soul. My motivation for drawing is to evoke a feeling, a shared and recognizable feeling that connects the viewer to the subject in a moment that allows expressions and gesture to narrate. I strive for an unfinished quality to my drawings and, in some way, that is symbolic of the continuation of life’s journey from the moment. My drawings are messy and somewhat abstract in their marks but the most important quality is truth of myself that I find in them.

I Graduated from Massachusetts College of Art with a BFA in Photography in 1995 while raising 4 children as a single mom. The last 3 years have proven to be decisive in that I moved from Florida back to my home state of Massachusetts. My work has been in Portrait Photography in Florida and more recently in Charcoal Portraits in Lowell, Massachusetts. I joined Western Ave Studios in January of 2022 and I’ve seen my work evolve and grow exponentially from being a part of this community of artists.

Instagram: @katrencleo

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Katren Cleo

Katren Cleo

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