about kathryn kalisz

"My goal as an instructor is to bring an understanding and appreciation of colour to my students; such that it would never be lost or forgotten, but will rather be used daily as a functional working tool to improve, enliven, and enhance their lives."

Kathryn Lee Kalisz, an artist, colourist and writer, has spent all of her adult life studying colour, its use, its affect on people and its relationship to their well-being.

Ms. Kalisz was born in St. Marys, Pennsylvania and currently resides in Bristol, Connecticut. She is the mother of three daughters.

Kathryn’s extensive research into color led to her employment as a colorist with Munsell Colour, a division of Gretag-Macbeth Corporation, Newburgh, New York. She left Munsell in 1991 to concentrate on her art and continue her studies. She currently teaches art privately and her love of colour, nature and abstract design is evident in her paintings in oil, watercolor and acrylics.

Ms. Kalisz was included in “Who’s Who of American Women,” 2000-2001, Millennium Edition for her innovative work as an artist, colourist and teacher. Kathryn is a member of the International Association of Colour.

Her recent book, Understanding Your Colour, is the culmination of her love for colour and interest in colour’s relationship to the human being.

kathryn kalisz-donovan - professional statement

As a young art student, I was profoundly intrigued by colour. As a young artist, I was profoundly intrigued by the human being. The study of both colour and psychology occupied my life for twenty years, and culminated in the writing of a textbook entitled, Understanding Your Color.

This book teaches the art and science of colour as it pertains to the human being. Scientifically, it explains exactly what colour is and describes its powerful purpose in our lives. It further explains how a human being’s personal colouration is related to his or her innate personality traits and behavioral tendencies.

My studies and experience in the field of colour led to my employment with Munsell Colour, from 1985 to 1991. Munsell Colour is recognized as the world’s leader in colour technology and colour communication, and I am extremely proud to have been a part of carrying on the work of America’s greatest colourist, Albert Munsell. During my employment there, I learned the science of colour and was amazed and honored to be taught by the inventor of the first colour computer, Mr. Hugh Davidson, as well as other esteemed scientists in the field of colour.

I left Munsell Color in 1991 with the knowledge, experience and confidence I needed to teach. I have perfected the ability to communicate and teach the fascinating and abstract nature of colour from both an artistic and scientific viewpoint. Furthermore, and most importantly, I teach the purpose of colour in our lives.

My years as an art instructor have shown me that, if presented in a logical way for a definite purpose, the subject of colour is both easy to teach and easy to learn.