Larchmont Artist Explores Depth of Domestic Sphere

Kristin McElroy’s paintings evoke a feeling of intimacy and familiarity with the people depicted—as if the viewer has been asked to look at photos taken on a recent vacation—that is increasingly rare in a culture that welcomes the visibility of the private sphere into the public realm without necessarily offering a deeper meaning.

McElroy—a lifelong artist who studied painting at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD)—spent years working as a textile designer for fashion designers like Adrienne Vittadini and home furnishing company Martex as well as teaching at Parsons The New School for Design. 

McElroy’s desire to lend more substance to her life after moving to Larchmont and starting a family, was also reflected in the medium she utilized, switching from watercolors to oil paint which lends itself to being “more substantial.”

It was also reflected in her subject matter, with an increasing focus on family, friends and the domestic sphere. 

Her paintings—depicted with loose brushstrokes—capture a “moment of motion,” that show, “the mundane scenes that pass by us in life,” that are “intense and reflective” in their portal into scenes of ordinary life.

Often times, the artist utilizes blurry photos or a series of photos as a starting point for her paintings.

In “Fire Light” McElroy’s paints her son standing in front of a fire on a lakefront setting, presumably on a relaxed family vacation.

“The wildness of the age [adolescence] is contrasted to the scenic and beautiful landscape,” said McElroy, adding that she felt A Lord of the Flies element to the scene, with the plume of smoke curling upward on what seems like a deserted island.

In “Living Room At Dusk” a daughter is depicted in classic adolescent posture, turned away from her mother and completely focused outside the parameters of the painting.  The intensity of the colors used, make the scene warm and inviting to the viewer, while hinting at a deeper meaning going on beneath the surface and an untold dialogue between family members.

“I think at heart I’m really a colorist,” said McElroy regarding her use of rich oil paints to add layers of complexity and interest to her portraits.

Last year, McElroy participated in a show called “Family Matters” at Iona Art Gallery with another local artist and figurative painter, .  She has also exhibited at the show at Kenise Barnes Fine Art in Larchmont from Aug. 25-Sept. 10.

She will appear at the ninth annual hosted by the Larchmont Committee on the Arts this Saturday from 1-5 p.m. at Constitution Park in Larchmont.  The rain date is Sunday, Sept 25 from 1-5 p.m. 

“There are a lot of people in Larchmont committed to or involved in the arts in one way or the other. The festival is a great way for them to get together and promote local art,” said McElroy.

Anyone interested in purchasing a painting can contact McElroy by e-mail at Kristin.osterberg@verizon.net  McElroy also works on commission.