*  Biography 
 
*  Artist's Statement

ARTIST
KAY WITHERSPOON

Award winning oil painter , Kay Witherspoon, has been identified as "One of the Premier Equine Painters in America" (Coast Magazine, SC) and painter of "...the best horses I've ever seen" (Robert Bateman, credited as being the most influential wildlife painter of all time by art historian and curator, David Wagner).   She is a traditional realist painter whose work is distinctive for its luminous bold color, its accuracy in detail and  form, it's design  perspective, and for her technical skills in layering and brushwork  to capture form, texture, atmosphere, and the character of animals and their environment.

Witherspoon utilizes the techniques of the oil masters and of 19th and 20th century classical traditionalists, crediting Rembrandt's layering, glazing , and scumbling techniques for the luminous quality in her work.  Witherspoon uses her own photography and field studies gathered at polo matches and racing parks, rodeos and stock shows, in national, state and city parks, and in country and urban settings for her resource material.
 

FORMAL EDUCATION 
1972 BA, Secondary Art Educ. * University of Montana, Missoula, MT 
1996 MA, Counseling Psych. - specializing in Gifted &Talented and Family Systems * University of Colorado, Denver, CO

INFORMAL EDUCATION
1998 Jackson Hole, WY Workshop with Tucker Smith & Steven Quiller2000 Computers in Art & Computer Imaging * Metro State College, Denver, CO 
1995 Susan K. Black Foundation Workshops with John Banovich, Greg Beecham, John Seerey-Lester, Mort Solberg

(Kay Witherspoon is primarily a self-taught artist by experience, private studies, exhibition and artist demonstration attendance.)

POSITIONS HELD
1997- Present - Professional Artist, Oil Painter, Denver, Colorado
1995 - 1998 - Marriage & Family Therapist - Jefferson Center for Mental Health, Denver, CO & private practitioner, Oil Painter 
1984-1988 - Community Living Magazine, Commercial Art Director, Illustrator;  Oil Painter 
1981-1983 - Colorado Art Ltd., Denver, CO - Magazine owner, publisher, Commercial Art Director, Illustrator; Oil Painter
1972-1975 - Hamilton High , Hamilton, MT - Art Teacher; Prof. Oil Painter

COMMERCIAL ART EXPERIENCE
2000 - Spring, 2008: Witherspoon Fine Art Academy - Witherspoon taught oil painting to 24 students, ages 11 through senior adult in her specially designed studio classroom. Her classes were co-sponsored by The Wildlife Experience Museum who also co-sponsored their thrice annual "Artistic Spirit" student art exhibition at the museum.

1999:  Witherspoon developed and designed her own website, www.KayWitherspoon.com

1984-1988 -"Community Living Magazine" -  Kay Witherspoon developed, designed, researched, and implemented all graphic art requirements for the annual magazine publication, Community Living Magazine. The 1988 Edition was the 4^th and final edition to be published with the first edition titled, "Mother’s Welcome Book"1984. Witherspoon did all the cartography for the publication, including the complete and updated map of the city of Billings, Montana. Witherspoon also took a number of the photographs appearing in the publication, as well as conducted and authored all of the interviews and articles. Witherspoon also included the "Collectors Choice" article featuring prominent regional artists and galleries. 

1983-1984 - "Colorado Art Index: The Complete Resource for Colorado Visual Arts" - Kay Witherspoon developed, designed, researched, and implemented all graphic art set-up for the annual magazine publication, Colorado Art Index. The publication identified Colorado’s artists, galleries, and arts organizations and businesses with a growing directory and articles.

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Member - Society of Animal Artists (SAA) - http://societyofanimalartists.com/

Member - American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA) - http://www.aaea.net/default.htm
Assoc. Member - Oil Painters of America (OPA)

PUBLICATIONS
● 2010 - Selected by Best of Artists and Kennedy Publishing for their Best of Worldwide Animal/Wildlife Artists Volume I book "We have viewed thousands of artists both on and off line. We visited your site and were extremely impressed with your body of work. You represent the Best of Worldwide artists, an artist who has exhibited style, innovation and uniqueness."
● 2010 - Invited feature artist in The Guards Polo Club, Ten Goal magazine.  "We are delighted to have an artist of your calibre and relevance on board."

● June 2005 "Royal Ascot Book, 2005", Invitational feature artist along with British master artist, George Stubbs, Great Britain
● 2005 - "Sporting Classics" magazine, July-August , Invitational feature artist in the article titled, "A Gallery of Big Game Artists", p. 156 
● 2004 - "International Artist" magazine, Feb/Mar, pg.122 - Invitation feature artist for the United States 
Hurlingham Polo Association's Book of the Season, 1999 & 2000 - Invitational featured equine oil painter for England's first annual publication with its introduction authored by Prince Charles  
● 1999 - "Equine Image, Reflections of the Equestrian Lifestyle", Feb./Mar. - Invitational magazine cover artist & featured artist (renamed "Equine Visions" magazine when sold) 
● 1999, 2000, 2001, 2001 - Polo Magazine - Players Editions
● 1998 - "Coast Magazine", S.C., - Invitational featured oil painter, "Polo Ponies at Play and the Dashing Argentines"
● 1981 - 1982 - American Artists of Renown: 1981-1982 - Wilson Publishing Co., Gilmer, TX; Anne Avery, Editor
● 1982 - Contemporary Western Artists, 1982 - Peggy and Harold Samuels, Southwest Art Publishing
● 1979 - "Southwest Art Magazine" - Invitational featured artist, "Wilderness Woman"

Polo Program Cover Artist
1999 12^th Annual US West Denver Polo Classic
2000 16^th Annual Harriman Cup
2002 Polo International Colorado

PROFESSIONAL AWARDS
Feature Artist for the American Academy of Equine Art's April 4, 2004 24th Annual Member's Show's invitation and auction with her oil painting, "Turf Storm" selling at auction for 1.5 x the asking price and it’s image featured on the labels of celebratory wine bottles
Best of Show: Oils/Acrylics - Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum: 23rd Annual Western Spirit Art Show & Sale * March 4 - 28, 2004
Arts for the Parks National Competition 2000 - Sam Houston Duck Company Migratory Waterfowl Award, Jackson Hole, WY,  Juried Artist Top 100 2000-2001 National Tour and catalogue
Founder's Award in Oil Painting - American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA),  1998 Fall Show Case

RECENT SELECT COMMISSIONS & COLLECTIONS
● 2010 - Painting "Colorado" accepted by President Carter for installation in the permanent collection of the Carter Center, GA
● 2008 - 2009  A commission to complete 25 oil paintings for December, 2008 installation at the Little Nell Residences, Aspen, Colorado,  Joan Warren-Grady (Art Curator for the Ritz-Carlton)
● Commissioned Artist for 44" x 64" scenic Colorado Landscape by William and Joan Porter
● 2006 - Twilight Crossing", purchased by David and Gail Liniger, founders of the Wildlife Experience Museum and ReMax Realtors, Inc.

EXHIBITIONS
● 2010 - Selected by Best of Artists and Kennedy Publishing for their Best of Worldwide Animal/Wildlife Artists Volume I book "We have viewed thousands of artists both on and off line. We visited your site and were extremely impressed with your body of work. You represent the Best of Worldwide artists, an artist who has exhibited style, innovation and uniqueness."
● 2010 - Invited feature artist in The Guards Polo Club, Ten Goal magazine.  "We are delighted to have an artist of your calibre and relevance on board."
● 2010 - "Determination" Accepted by jury into the 50th anniversary celebration and Art and the Animal Exhibit and National Tour  by the Society of Animal Artists (SAA)
● 2009 - 2010 "Colorado" - Selected by President Carter for installation in the Conference Room of the CEO at the Carter Center, Atlanta, GA
● 2009 -  "Summertime" - Accepted by jury into the Small Works Big Impressions Exhibit and the 49th Annual Society of Animal Artists Art and the Animal National Tour -
● 2008 - 2009 "Independence Pass Series" - 25 Oil paintings commissioned by San Diego, CA art curator, Joan Warren-Grady, for installation in the living rooms of the newly constructed  Little Nell Resort, Aspen, Colorado  
● 2007 - 2008 -  "Colorado" - Commissioned by Bill and Joan Porter, founders of Etrade, the ISE, and Stillheart
● "Lords Of The Rockies" - Accepted by jury into the 2007-8, Society of Animal Artist's "Art and the Animal" National Exhibition as well as the National Tour 
● Invitational artist by jury in the 2007, American Academy of Equine Art "Horse In Fine Art" exhibition, Denver
● 2008 - Two time finalist in the 23rd Annual Artist's Magazine's Art Competition,
● 2007 - Accepted into the Oil Painters of America Central Regional Exhibit
● OPA 16^th Annual National Exhibition, 2007 - Fredericksburg, TX
● 2007 - Invitational artist by jury in the Aiken Center For the Arts "5th Annual Sporting Art Show", Feb. 8, 9, 10  
● 2006-7 - "Life On The Edge" Accepted by jury into the Society of Animal Artist's "Art and the Animal" 46th Annual Exhibit & National Tour 
● 2006 - Invitational feature artist in  "The Horse In Fine Art" exhibition, sponsored by The American Academy of Equine Art 
● "Twilight Crossing" - Purchased for private collection by the founder's of The Wildlife Experience Museum
● 2005-2006 - "Twilight Crossing" - Accepted by jury into the  the 45th Annual "Art and the Animal" exhibition annual tour , sponsored by the Society of Animal Artists 
● 2005 - Invitational feature artist in the "Royal Ascot Book", Great Britain,  
● Signature artist award for the Collector's Preview Party and Benefit at the International Museum of the Horse, Kentucky Horse Park, by the American Academy of Equine Art 
● 2004 - Winner of the Best of Show: Oils/Acrylics, Mar , Cheyenne Frontier Days, Old West Museum, "Western Spirit Art Show & Sale 
● 2004,  Feb / Mar - Published in International Artist magazine,  
● 2004 - American Academy of Equine Art's 24th Annual Member's Show's invitation and auction -  April 4,  "Equine Spirit" -The Wildlife Experience Museum, Denver,CO,  co-sponsored by the American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA)
● 2004 - Juried into f the Society of Animal Artists, NY, as a signature member
● 2003 - Juried into f the Society of Animal Artists, NY, as an associate member
● 2003 - OPA 12^th Annual National Exhibition  - Taos, NM "Wild Horses"
● Member of the American Academy of Equine Art, KY 2002  
● Winner of the American Academy of Equine Art Founder's Award at the International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, KY, USA   
● Saratoga Springs Summer Fine Art Show - Equidae Gallery, July 26 * September 2, 2002
● Denver Polo Association's British Airways Polo International - 2002
● Arts for the Parks Top 100, 2000  _* Winner of the Sam Houston Duck Company Migratory Waterfowl Award, Arts for the Parks    
● Oil Painters of America, Top 200     *Invitational artist at the Wildlife Experience Museum's "Wild Horses"  exhibit, 2002-03
● Featured Artist in Equine Image Magazine, Polo Player's Edition Magazine, Southwest Art Magazine, Coast Magazine, Art of the West Magazine, Hurlingham Polo Association's "Book of the Season", Great Britain    
● Selected works featured in South Africa's Polo Assn. website    
● Exhibited with: Exhibited with: Kensington Museum, KY;  The Wildlife Experience, CO';  the International Polo Expo, Las Vegas; Will Roger's State Historic Park's Polo In The Park; numerous exhibitions sponsored by the American Academy of Equine Art; Arts for the Parks; Diamond & Spurs Art Auction;  Hayotte Gallery LTD, Saratoga, NY   
● Poster artist for: Poster artist for: the Denver Polo Classic 1999, 2000, 2001;  the British Airways Polo International 2002; and the Harriman Cup, WV, 
● 2000 - OPA 9^th Annual National Exhibition, 2000 - Carmel, CA
● International Polo Expo 2000 - Las Vegas, NV, October 13-15, 2000
● Equestrian's Perspective , 2000 - Sportsman's Gallery, Ltd., Atlanta, GA - 4/1 - 5/6
● Denver Polo Classic 2001 & 2000 & 1999, 2001 & 2000 & 1999 - Invitational Commissioned Poster & Featured Exhibition Artist 
● Solo Exhibition - 1999 Pacific Coast Open, in Santa Barbara, California

also see  Artist