Catherine Lawlor is an Australian abstract expressionist artist who is based on the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria.

Her large-scale, bold, and evocative signature style has been enthralling art patrons on the local and international scene.

Catherine draws her inspiration from a life made hectic by a large family, a career as a nurse educator, and the many highs and lows of her wild and well-lived life, which provide a rich tapestry for her pieces. She fills her canvases the same way she fills her life: with passion, purpose and no wasted space.

Catherine attended RMIT University in Melbourne, where she completed a Diploma in Visual Arts and a Bachelor of Fine Arts. These five years of study with world class tutors and fellow artists gave her a powerful foundation of learning – challenging and inspiring her in equal measure.

For Catherine, the process of art creation begins with a meditation, which heightens her state of awareness and focuses her attention. The paper or canvas is placed on the floor to give her an aerial perspective, and allows her to move freely and rapidly around in a dance of movement – throwing, splashing and spraying ink and paint.

Catherine works without a plan, finding her inspiration at the intersection of medium, movement and the moment, as she uses strong, intuitive gestures to create a symphony of colour and balanced composition. Multiple layers are applied this way before finer details are added to create her distinctive abstract paintings.

Her Irish heritage has led to the use of Celtic imagery, inspired by the famous Medieval Book of Kells, with often detailed designs woven into her imagery.

The result of her spontaneous process are compositions that burst with colours, shapes and boldness, each inviting the viewer into the depths of a joyful world, where they’re bathed in positive energy, elation and an infectious sense of freedom of expression.

Her paintings are a part of private collections both locally and overseas. They are popular in professional rooms and are also well represented in her hometown. Along with holding several solo exhibitions, Catherine has been a part of numerous group shows and won Best Contemporary painting at the recent Mornington Art show. In 2021, she was showcased at a digital exhibition DE.MO @ M.A.D.S in Milan and Fueteventura. She was also a participant in the recent Mornington peninsula Drift Arts Festival.

Catherine holds regular art classes and workshops that provide expert tuition, and an escape from reality and into the soul of art-making.