Online auction 27/03/25
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Online auction 27/03/25 *
Some paintings are for sale live online, 27 March 2025 starting at 9.30am: https://tinyurl.com/28jn54zs
This site celebrates the life and works of artist Kathleen Emily Temple-Bird (nee Temple), 1879-1962.
An independent and prolific female artist, successfully creating and selling her artwork during a period when it was challenging for women to do so. Read her story here.
Oil ‘Tenby Harbour’, 1948

Family Background and Childhood, 1879-1896
Kathleen’s large extended family played a key role in her artistic life.

Artistic Style
In Kathleen’s art you can see the influence of the era she lived in, her art training, and her gender.

Art Training, 1896-1907
Kathleen’s art education and training took place in a number of phases across Ipswich, London, and Europe

Start of Career, 1899-1910
Suffolk and Lincolnshire, aged 20-31 years

Teaching in Canada, 1908-1910
Kathleen travelled alone to teach art in Canada, aged 29-31 years

London, Main Part of Career, 1911-1961
Kathleen lived in London intermittently, aged 32-82 years old

Marriage & Family Life, 1911- 1962
Kathleen’s family life was a source of creative inspiration for her painting

Politics
The first two decades of the twentieth century saw rapid change for women, their rights, roles and opportunities. Kathleen took an active part in this change.

Commissions - Pioneering Women, 1907-1940
Kathleen frequently painted commissioned works, with a particular passion for capturing the pioneering women of her era.

Commissions - Supporters of women’s progress, 1929-1932
Kathleen’s commissioned work often focused on supporters of women’s progress.

Travels in Britain, 1928-1950
Kathleen travelled to paint in England and Wales, aged 49-71 years old

St Ives Cornwall, 1940-1948
Kathleen moved to St Ives for the duration of the Second World War, aged 61-69 years

Exhibitions and Memberships, 1899-1960
Kathleen consistently exhibited her work, aged 20-80 years

Sales, 1899-1960
Kathleen successfully sold her artwork throughout her life, aged 20-80 years