Kevin McLaughlin – Visual Artist
Kevin McLaughlin, born 1954 Wilmington, Delaware, studied painting, photography, art history, and has a Bachelor of Science degree in advertising and visual communications design from the University of Delaware. While at UD he studied painting and drawing under Professors Charles Rowe, Steve Tanis, Nicolas Krusnick, and Graphic Design under Ray Nichols.
He has over 45 years of marketing communications experience, primarily as a business owner, serving academics, financial, pharmaceutical, healthcare, HVAC industry, and non-profits. Kevin also served as a classroom teacher. He was adjunct faculty at the Delaware College of Art & Design, teaching digital design technology. He was a career instructor at Howard High School of Technology teaching film photography and desktop publishing. He also served as assistant football coach and assistant Athletic Director.
While at UD Kevin gravitated towards both landscape painting and color field abstract expressionism. He saw connections between the two styles with their emphasis on atmosphere and space; for instance the 19th century painters J. M. W. Turner, James McNeil Whister, Claude Monet's connection to Mark Rothko and Jules Olitsy among others.
A huge fan of music, Kevin sees many parallels between painting and music, especially rock and jazz. Music, and the evolution of styles in music, informs the painting process, especially the concept of improvisation within frameworks and structures.
McLaughlin considers his style modern realism subtly influenced by abstract expressionism. He tries to keep things loose and expressive while maintaining energy in the act of painting. For Kevin, it's about color, fluidity of the medium, line, expression, the composition, and resisting the momentum towards over-finishing the work. However, like a good musician knows, the technique must serve the song.
Rooted in the land, Kevin's paintings explore the dynamic interplay of light, form, and atmosphere. Through careful observation and expressive brushwork, Kevin strives to capture the unique character and enduring beauty of the land. McLaughlin's work is an ongoing dialogue with the natural world, a visual record of the moments that inspire awe and a testament to the profound connection between place and identity.
Many of the works seen here are for sale. Inquiries are welcome.
Selected Exhibitions
- 2015DREAM STREETS: ART IN WILMINGTON From 1970–1990 — June 27, 2015 - September 27, 2015, The Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE
- 2014Group Exhibit–35th Anniversary Show — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE
- 2005Group Exhibit — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE
- 2004Drawings and Paintings, 1989-2004 — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE
- 1991UNDER THE VIOLET SKY — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE
- 1990REALITY & ABSTRACTION — Gallery One, Delaware State Arts Council, Wilmington, DE — Juried Invitational.
- 1990DCCA 10th ANNIVERSARY PRIZEWINNERS EXHIBITION — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Invitational.
- 1989SINGLE PERSON SHOW — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Juried Invitational.
- 1988SUMMER SALON — Helio Galleries, New York, New York — Invitational.
- 1988THE STATION GALLERY: A TEN YEAR RETROSPECTIVE (Group Show) — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE — Invitational.
- 1987THE 69th DELAWARE EXHIBITION — The Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE — Juried.
- 1987SUMMER LANDSCAPE SHOW — The Gross McCleaf Gallery, Philadelphia, PA — Invitational.
- 1987GOVERNOR'S INVITATIONAL — The Office of the Governor, Carvel State Building, Wilmington, DE — Invitational.
- 1986SINGLE PERSON SHOW — The Station Gallery, Greenville, DE
- 1986CITYSCAPES — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Invitational.
- 1985CONTEMPORARY DELAWARE LANDSCAPES — Gallery One, Delaware State Arts Council, Wilmington, DE — Juried Invitational.
- 1984DCCA FALL ANNUAL SHOW — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Juried. Constance Costigan, judge.
- 1984THE 21st BIENNIAL EXHIBITION — The University of Delaware, Newark, DE — Juried, Ann Percy, judge.
- 1983THE 67th DELAWARE EXHIBITION — The Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE — Juried.
- 1982CONTEMPORARY EXPRESSION WITH TRADITIONAL MEDIA — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Juried. Larry Day, judge.
- 1982THE DCCA WINNER'S EXHIBITION — The City/County Arts Advisory Committee, Wilmington, DE — Invitational.
- 1981THE 66th DELAWARE EXHIBITION — The Delaware Art Museum, Wilmington, DE — Juried.
- 1981DCCA FALL ANNUAL SHOW — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Juried. Steve Tanis, judge.
- 1981DCCA FIRST ANNUAL PHOTOGRAPHY SHOW — The Delaware Center for the Contemporary Arts, Wilmington, DE — Juried.
- 1981SINGLE PERSON SHOW — The Vernon Good Gallery, Wilmington, DE
Collections
- Citibank, Wilmington, DE
- Insurance Company of North America (INA-CIGNA) Wilmington, DE
- General Foods Corporation, White Plains, NY
- Peat, Marwick, & Mitchell, Wilmington, DE
- The Rodney Square Club, Wilmington, DE
- Delaware Trust Company, Wilmington, DE
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
- Wilmington Trust Company, Wilmington, DE
- Price Waterhouse Corporation, Philadelphia, PA
- Deloitte, Haskins, & Sells, Philadelphia, PA
- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
- Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd., Wilmington, DE
- E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, DE
- The Bank of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
- MBNA, Newark, DE
Kevin McLaughlin is also represented in numerous private collections.
Articles and Reviews
- Dorthea Flood, "Artist Finds Greater Truth in Beauty." The News Journal Supplement, Oct. 3, 1991.
- Penelope Bass Cope, "Outdoors Detailed on Canvas", The News Journal, Spring, 1989.
- Penelope Bass Cope, "City Scenes, Wilmington as it is, can be, and seems to be." The Sunday News Journal, Winter 1986
- Penelope Bass Cope, "Years Bright Lights, Highlights; Art in '83" Sunday News Journal, Winter 1983
- Penelope Bass Cope, "Collection Creates Job", "Urbane Art Comes to Wilmington", Sunday News Journal, Summer 1983
- Elizabeth French, "Exhibit is Springing Forth with Color", The Newark Post, Spring 1977.
Educational Experience
Graduated from the University of Delaware, Newark, DE, in June 1977. Bachelor of Science Degree in Graphic Design. Concentrated studies in the areas of Painting, Drawing, Art History, History, and Advertising and Graphic Design.
Salesianum High School, Wilmington, DE — Class of 1972
Professional Experience
- 1997–2026 — Founder & Director, KMD Design Inc., a Visual Communications Design boutique.
- 1996–1997 — Faculty, Howard High School. Graphic Design and Photography, assistant coach football
- 1997–2001 — Lecturer, Delaware College of Art & Design. Digital design procedures.