Kat Cramer

Acrylic and Exploratory Embellishment

Kat’s mom still regrets choosing a yellow rug for her daughter’s room in Pittsford. That rug bore the paint stains and various mishaps of a young artist finding her way. Kat is a creative—always has been.

After graduating from SUNY New Paltz in 1992, Kat’s portfolio was accepted to a unique Master’s program at NYU—three summers studying painting in Venice, Italy, with a final thesis summer in New York City. Those years in Venice (1993-1995) shaped everything that followed. The deep sea blues, rich reds and oranges of plaster walls, deep greens of trees, and grays of cobblestone streets became part of her visual vocabulary. She graduated with her MA from New York University in 1995.

Kat emerged in the art world while living in Palm Springs, California, exhibiting at coffee houses, art festivals, and open studio nights. The Desert Sun featured her work twice—once during an exhibit at Peabody’s Jazz Club in 1996, and again when Stephanie Gallery hosted a solo exhibition at The Wyndham Hotel. After relocating back to New York, she exhibited for more than ten years at the prestigious Clothesline Art Festival at the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester.

“I aim to create pieces that evoke a sense of connection to the natural world, using bold color and layered textures to invite viewers in.”

For more than thirty years, Kat has balanced life as both a full-time art educator in the Pittsford Central School District and a working artist. She continues to exhibit widely—from Venice, Italy in 2024 to contemporary galleries in New York City. She’s an exhibiting member at Railroad Street Artworks in Fairport and part of the Penfield Art Association. Her work has earned recognition internationally, including semifinalist honors in the International Tartget Painting Competition in Madrid and a Juror’s Award at the Penfield Art Association exhibit.

Kat often spends weeks at Lake George, a place of solace where her family has gathered for six generations. Her life seems adjacent to Georgia O’Keeffe, an artist she greatly admires. Her exploration in nature brings images to mind that she recreates in the studio—taking photos of trees, roots, water, and whatever she finds uniquely beautiful. Working primarily in acrylics on canvas, she’s recently been enhancing her pieces with embroidery threads and string.

“My art is deeply rooted in nature, evoking tranquility, serenity, and a sense of wonder,” Kat says. “Painting brings me into another realm—a meditative, spiritual state of mind, and I love sharing that with others.” Her work concentrates on color, light, gesture, and emotion, creating pieces full of vibrant hues that collectors say bring them joy. The energy of her luminous colors forms both sanctuary and curiosity—paintings that feel like portals to another place.

Born in Pittsford in 1970, Kathleen Cole Cramer still resides near her origin, where you’ll find her painting studio. By the way, her mom finally replaced that yellow rug. The room no longer belongs to Kat, but when she visits, she’s careful to create elsewhere.