Katherine knew she was an artist at an early age. While majoring in art at DePauw University, she attended Tyler School of Art in Rome and interned with Willard Midgette in New York. While in New York, she studied art at the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute. She frequented art museums and galleries in New York and Europe. Albert Handell has been an important teacher and mentor in recent years.
Katherine is an award-winning artist who regularly participates in national juried and invitational shows. She was recently recognized as Master Pastelist by the Pastel Society of America. She also achieved Masters Circle with the International Association of Pastel Societies and Distinguished Pastelist with the New Mexico Pastel Society and the Arizona Pastel Artists Association. She is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast, the Pastel Society of the Southwest, and a Member of Excellence of the Southeastern Pastel Society. She is also an active member of the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico.
Katherine has won numerous awards in 2021 including the Frank C Wright Medal of Honor with the American Artists Professional League, First Award of Excellence with the Pastel Society of the Southwest, Second Place with the Pastel Society of Colorado, Pan Pastel Award with the Pastel Society of American and an Award of Excellence with the Pastel Society of New Mexico. She exhibits regularly with Women Artists of the West, the American Impressionist Society, and the California Art Club. Her work was shown on the cover and featured in the August 2015 issue of the Pastel Journal. Katherine is represented by Weems Gallery and Framing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She is a member of various art organizations: IAPS/MC, PSA/MP, PSNM/DP, APAA/DP, PSWC, PSSW, SEPS/MOE
Artist Statement
I started to work seriously in pastels in 2002. I find inspiration in New Mexico landscapes, the cobalt blue skies and brilliant reds and greens found in plants and geological formations. I thoroughly enjoy painting outdoors and my association with the Plein Air Painters of New Mexico. My studio work includes paintings of New Mexico sunsets. Sunsets incorporate many abstract patterns as well as beautiful layers of color. I think of herself as a “Skywatcher”. I have focused on the portrayal of light, nuance, emotional connection through the use of color in her work.
I have been a Skywatcher as long as I can remember. Big skies float over the desert, approaching weather, defined by the color, size and shapes of clouds. My father used to talk about the meaning of clouds. Clouds have threatened, whirled with power, beautifully choreographed by the growing pressure between hot and cold air. Sunsets have signaled that it was time to bicycle home – my nose and skin full of the scent of rich earth, corn and the warmth of the sun. Skies touch the edges of water, trees, desert, mountains, and islands. They hold all colors at one time or another. I dream about vast spaces, one home dwarfed, the land made rough by air, fire, and water and the pressures and rotation of the earth.
