Kavanagh spent her child hood in Windham, a small town nestled in the Catskill Mountains of New York. While other little girls were playing with their dolls, Kavanagh was drawing hers. She spent her high school years designing posters for plays, t-shirts for sports, and drawing cartoons for the school newspaper. Outside of school, she began selling charcoal portraits.
The small town had little to offer a young artist, and Kavanagh had a burning desire to travel. At 18 she packed her things and left. Several years of gypsy life lead her to St. Louis, where she started to grow roots after attending college. Kavanagh the painter was born.
Kavanagh became a full time artist in 2002. The ability to focus entirely on painting has had significant impact on her work. Now a paint brush is more then a tool, it is an extension of her arm. Transforming into creator, Kavanagh breathes life onto canvas through application and treatment of color, light and texture. Her style uniquely portrays the essence of an individual.
At her first solo gallery exhibit, Kavanagh sold The day Daddy died, to Senator Thomas Eagleton (1929-2007). It was a privilege to meet Senator Eagleton, and an honor for one with his wisdom and experience to take an interest in her work.
“One quality of art for me is how it grows or doesn’t grow with time. Martini grows on me more and more, every time I see it. I can’t wait to have hundreds of people see it on a regular basis.” Private Collector