[5] She was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana,[4] and earned her BA English in 1933[6] from Newcomb College at Tulane University.

[6] The development of her personal visual language, which can be seen across her body of works was mainly influenced by Hans Hoffman and Mark Rothko.

[8] Additionally, their influence can be seen in the bright, vivid colors along with the combinations of abstract organic forms in conjunction with geometrical shapes.

[9] Her studies with Hoffman were pivotal in her transition into non-objective, abstract art,[9] marking a shift into looser interpretations that relied on form and gesture to convey feelings.

[2][8] Kohlmeyer utilizes an expressive style of painting which relates and exemplifies her visual language that can be seen in the broader collection of her work.

[2] Kohlmeyer's visual language is grounded in non-objectivity and in gesture and form rather than in specific meanings, which leaves her work up to the viewer to interpret.