About Kathy

Originally from Chicago and completing college in Ohio, I followed my life-long dream to live in the West after many childhood ski trips to Steamboat Springs, Colorado. After marrying and starting our family in Denver, we pulled up stakes after 25 years and lived in Paris for a year and then moved to Sun Valley, Idaho. My studio is located in downtown Ketchum. I paint outdoors, creating plein air studies to improve my observations skills, discover color and value notes. In the studio, I design and execute larger paintings in the studio based on studies and photos.

I have always loved to paint and draw. However, I pursued a degree in Business Administration and minor in Graphic Design at Miami of Ohio and worked in the advertising world in sales for 14 years in Denver. I started an advertising sales company at age 23 representing 20 mountain newspapers and in-flight magazines, which handled all aspects of sales, ad production and billing. I sold the company 3 years later and worked for Western Cities Broadcasting in sales and later, Women’s Sports & Fitness as Regional Ad Director working with diverse companies from Nike to Rossignol.

In 2001, I juggled classes at the Art Students League of Denver with noted artists Quang Ho, Kevin Wechbach, Tim Deibler, Doug Dawson, Kim English and Mark Daily while raising our kids as a stay-at-home mom. I began a one-on-one mentorship with Skip Whitcomb in 2008 whom I am honored to count as my biggest influence in my artistic journey as well as a dear friend.

When we moved to Paris in 2009 I ventured out with my paint kit in the city and on frequent trips throughout Europe. I spent many hours in museums studying great works of art. Seeing this work in person was an invaluable opportunity which, I believe, advanced my skills as an artist.

From 2015 to 2019 I partnered with Wood River Fine Arts and Gamblin Oils to organize painting workshops for nationally recognized instructors to teach in Sun Valley. These workshops have been a huge success and it was my honor to bring master-level painters to filled workshops every Spring and Fall. These painters include Jill Carver, Skip Whitcomb, Kathryn Stats, Michael Lynch and G. Russell Case. I live in Idaho with my husband Kirk and have the honor of being a mom my three adult children, Gray, Paige and Patrick. I am represented by Mary Williams Fine Arts in Boulder, Colorado.