Bio
Cathyann Lautier Burgess is a first
generation American born in 1950 to WWII immigrants from the island of Malta.
From the earliest memories she can recall, her creativity was welcomed and
nurtured. She cannot recall a day in her life that wasn't filled with the
making of things, drawings and inventions by her father, a carpenter and
tradesman.
Her first official validation as an artist was a gift of a pochade box filled with oil paints from a dear friend of her mother on Cathyann's 13th birthday. She still uses the box, now accompanied by fond memories of that family friend who has since passed away.
Drawing and painting became a serious focus of Cathyann's formal and informal education in high school. Among the many great artists of history, she admires and is influenced particularly by John Singer Sargent, the American Impressionists, Robert Henri, Sorolla, Vermeer and Caravaggio. The more recent colorists, such as Hawthorne and Hensche are no doubt leaving their mark on her work as she explores a bold approach to color in her paintings.
Cathyann has taught art to adults and children for over 20 years. She has found that teaching about art has been enriching and satisfying. As an artist and teacher, she believes in developing strong composition and solid drawing skills. Her compassionate teaching style reflects her belief that continued study, practice and attention to high standards of quality will result in excellence.
Among her professional commitments, Cathyann belongs to a number of art organizations such as The Portrait Society of America and Oil Painters of America. Her most recent studies include workshops with Nelson Shanks and the Plein-Air Painters of the Southeast Perry Austin and Dawn Whitelaw.
A native of New York City, Cathyann with her husband, now makes her home and studio in Richmond, Virginia. She now paints full time after retiring from teaching art at Benedictine High School, where she chaired the department of Fine Arts she created in 1998.