Katherine Irish, IAPS-EP, PSA-MP, PSNM/DP, APAA/DP, SPS-MP, WAOW, PSWC, PSSW
Statement:
When I returned to New Mexico, I made a conscious decision to contribute beauty to the world through art. The infinite variety of color and abstract patterns found in New Mexico skies offer a limitless source of inspiration. Cloud composition and colors are ephemeral. However, what is constant is that the beginning and end of each day is marked by the rising and setting of the sun. The sky fills with vibrations of color that catapults observers to consciousness. This regularity is assuring and encourages us to make sense of our world and fills us with hope, despite the unpredictability of life. The beauty found in the skies inspires us. Throughout history, philosophers, scientists and artists have looked to the skies to gain a sense of order and meaning. My paintings are an effort to bring focused attention on our shared connection with the natural order.
Distinctions and
Professional Affiliations:
IAPS Eminent Pastelist
Master Pastelist of the Pastel Society of America
Distinguished Member of the Pastel Society of New Mexico
Distinguished Member of the Arizona Pastel Artist's Association
Signature Member of the Pastel Society of the West Coast
Master Pastelist of the Southeastern Pastel Society
Signature Member of the Women Artists of the West
American Artists Professional League - Associate with Distinction
Plein Air Painters of New Mexico
Pastel Society of Colorado
California Art Club
Publications: (Selected) Sky Watching, Pastel Journal, August 2015.
Cover and featured article.
PSC Calendar. 2017. 2018.
Albuquerque Journal. 2016. 2022. 2023.
Signpost, 2016.
Awards(selected)…
2025 First in Pastel Miniatures. 27th Annual Masterworks of NM.
Hispanic Arts Center. Albuquerque, NM.
2025 Second Place, “Enchanted Colors”. Pastel Society of NM.
Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
2025 Third Place. MOOS. Pastel Society of the West Coast. Online.
2025 Janis Baret Award of Realism. Arizona Pastel Artists Assoc.
Phippen Museum. Prescot, AZ.
2025 Award of Merit, Best Landscape. “Homeland” WAOW,
Customs House Museum and Cultural Center, Clarksville, TN.
2024 First Place, Pastel Division, New Mexico State Fair.
Pastel Division. Albuquerque, NM.
2024 Award for Exceptional Scenic, 96th Grand Nat. Exhibition, AAPL.
Salmagundi Club, NY, NY.
2024 PAPAT “Enduring Brillance!” Pastel Society of America,
Galleries of the National Arts Club, NYC.
2024 Honorable Mention, All About Pastels, Southeastern Pastel
Society, Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation.
2024 Second Place (SD), Second Place and Margie Lucena Awards
(MD)26th Masterworks of New Mexico, NM.
2024 Jeffrey Potter Memorial Award , PSNM Enchanted Colors,
Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, Nm.
2024 Second Place, 26th Masterworks of New Mexico Standard
Division. Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
2024 The Art Life School – Pursuit of Beauty Award.
Women Artists of the West. Phippen Museum. Prescott, AZ
2024 The Butler Institute of American Art. Youngstown, Ohio.
2023 Third Place. Southeastern Pastel Society. "Luminosity". Online.
2023 Pastelagram Award. Pastel Society of America.
"Enduring Brilliance".
2023 First Place. NM State Fair. Pastel Division. Albuquerque, NM.
2023 Award of Merit. American Impressionist Society. 24th Annual
National Exhibit. Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, De.
2023 First Place. Corrales Old Church Fine Art Show. Corrales, NM.
2023 Honorable Mention. Women Artists of the West.
"No Place Like Home". Carriage Factory Art Gallery. Newton, Ks.
2023 Second Place. Pastel Society of New Mexico. Enchanted Colors Show.
Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
2023 Second Place, APAA. National Show. Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona.
2022 Cherry Excellence in Pastels and Best Landscape, WAOW,
52nd National Exhibit. McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD.
2022 Hon. Men., SPS National Exhibit, “All About Pastel”
Alpharetta Art Center, Alpharetta, Ga.
2022 Featured Artist. Placitas Artists Series.
2022 Sponsor Award, PSNM. 30th National Exhibit. Millicent Rogers Museum.
2022 First Place, Pastel Div. New Mexico State Fair. Expo, NM. Albuquerque, NM
2022 Hon. Men., PSC, Mile High Pastel Exhibition. GCAA, Central City, Co.
2022 Second Place. Masterworks NM, 24th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition.
Albuquerque, NM
2022 Merit Award. APAA. National Show. Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona
2021 American Artists Professional League, Frank C. Wright Medal of
Honor Award. Sagamundi Club, NY, NY.
2021 First Award of Excellence, 40th Juried Exhibition, PSSW, Grapevine, Tx.
2021 Honorable Mention, APAA Members Show. Scottsdale Artists School.
Scottsdale, Az.
2021 Sec. Place, PSC, Mile High Pastel Exhibition. Curtis Center, Littleton, Co.
2021 Jeff Potter Memorial Award, Pastel Society of New Mexico. Taos, NM.
2021 Award of Excellence, Dry Media, PAPNM, Jemez Paint Out and Show.
2021 Award of Merit, SPS, 20th International Juried Exhibition, Quinlan Visual Arts
Center. Gainesville, Ga.
2021 Merit Award. APAA. Open National Spring Show. Sedona, Arizona.
2021 Wilson Hurley Enchantment Award, 23rd Annual Masterworks NM,
Albuquerque, NM.
2020 President's Award, Pastel Society of America’s
"Enduring Brillance", 48th Annual Exhibit.
2020 Award of Excellence, Dry Media, Plein Air Painters of NM, Member Exhibit.
2020 Honorable Mention, PSC Online Member Exhibit.
2020 Honorable Mention, SEPS, 19th International Pastel Exhibit.
2020 Honorable Mention, The Rice Gallery of Fine Art, Overland Park, Kansas.
2019 First Place, Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair.
2019 PSNM Award of Excellence. Large Div.; 2nd Pl and Bardeen Award, Miniatures
2018. 2019. Honorable Mention, Pastel Society of Colorado Mile High Exhibit.
2018 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta, PAPNM. Santa Fe, NM. Honorable Mention,
2018. PSNM 26th National Pastel Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM. Third Place,
2018. Pastel Society of Colorado, Horizons Online Exhibition. Honorable Mention,
2017. PSA, 45th Enduring Brilliance Exhibition. NY, NY.
Pastel Soc. of the MidAtlantic Award
2017. Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair. First Place, Fine Arts Div.
2017 Honorable Mention and Award of Excellence. Large Division, Hon. Men.
Miniatures. Masterworks of New Mexico.
2016. Arizona Pastel Society, Fall Show. Third Place. 2016.
2016. Pastel Society of the Southwest, National Art Show, Award of Merit.
2016. Pastels USA, PSWC. The Canson Excellence in Art Award.
2016 Great Lakes Pastel Society Second Place.
2016 Wilson Hurley Enchantment Award. Masterworks New Mexico.
2015 PSWC Award., 2015 Renaissance in Pastel Award, Conneticut Pastel Society.
2015 Plein Air Magazine Lilledahl Video Award, PSWC,
29th Annual Pastels Exhibit.
2015 Emerald Spring Exhibit, Emerald Art Center, Springfield Or. Recognition Award
March 2015: FAV15%: Bold Brush PainThe Canting Competition. FASO
February 2015: Bold Brush Painting Competition. (Outstanding Pastel)
2015 Austin Pastel Society. (To be announced.)
2014 Pastel Society of Colorado, Mile High Exhibit. (3rd Place),
2014 Austin Pastel Society, 3rd Place in Landscape
2014 American Salon of Fine Art, (Distinguished Award of Merit)
2014 New Mexico Art Division, Art in Public Places, purchase..
2013 Expo, New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM (Second Place)
2014 Masterworks of NM, Miniature, Albuquerque, NM (Second Place)
2013 Masterworks of NM, Miniature, Albuquerque, NM (First Place)
2012 Masterworks of NM, Miniature, Albuquerque, NM (First Place)
2011 Masterworks of NM, Miniature, Albuquerque, NM. (Third Place)
Expo NM, New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM. 2006, 2009, 2010 (Hon. Men.)
15th National Pastel Painting Exhibit, PSNM, Albuquerque, NM. (Merit Award)
Residency, Workshop, Demos:
2025 Demo for Arizona Pastel Artists Association
2023 Demo for Pastel Society of New Mexico
2022 Artist in Residence: Zion National Park
2022 Paint ‘n Grow, Southeastern Pastel Society.
2022 Pastel Society of Colorado. Demo and Critique.
2019 Masterworks of New Mexico. Miniature Workshop.
Gallery and Museum Exhibitions....
2024 The Butler Institute of American Art. Youngstown, Ohio.
Layers of Color, Margaret and Turner Branch Benefactor's Lounge, Popejoy Hall,
University of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. 2020
Arts Thrive: Albuquerque Museum. 2017. 2018. 2019. 2020. 2021. 2023. 2024. 2025
Abstractions in Nature. OnyxSwan Gallery. Albuquerque, NM. 2018.
Panhandle Plain Invitational Western Art Show.
Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum, Canyon, Texas. 2016.
Skywatcher, Convergence Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 2013.
Limitless, Convergence Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico. 2012.
New Mexico Skies, Sumner and Dene, Albuquerque, NM 2009.
Wind, Water, and Light. Sumner and Dene. Albuquerque, NM 2008.
Skies, Clouds and Dreams, Sumner and Dene, Albuquerque, NM 2007.
Placitas Studio Art Tour. Placitas, NM. 2006 – 2020.
Group Show Juried (selected)...
2025 21st Mile High Pastel Exhibition, Pastel Society of Colorado, Curtis Center for the Arts,
Greenwood Village, CO.
2025 “Realism on the Hudson” American Artists Professional League.
Howland Cultural Center, Beacon, NY>
2025 27th Annual Masterworks of New Mexico. Hispanic Arts Center. Albuquerque, NM.
2025 “Enchanted Colors”, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Millicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
2025 Arts Thrive. Albuquerque Museum Foundation. Albuquerque Museum, NM.
2025 MOOS, Pastel Society of the West Coast, Online.
2025 9th Open International Exhibition. Arizona Pastel Artists Association, Phippen Museum,
Prescot, AZ.
2025 “Homeland” Women Artists of the West, Customs House Museum and Cultural Center,
Clarksville, TN.
2024 New Mexico State Fair. Pastel Division. Albuquerque, NM.
2024 5th Member Online Exhibition. American Impressionist Society, Online.
2024 13th Master Circle Division, International Association of Pastel Societies, Online.
2024 96th Grand National Exhibition, American Artists Professional League. Salmagundi Club, NY, NY.
2024 99 Voices in Pastel, PSWC, Brea Gallery, Brea, CA.
2024 25th National Juried Exhibition, American Impressionist Society, Rockport Art Museum, MA.
2024 “Enduring Brillance!” Pastel Society of America, Galleries of the National Arts Club, NYC.
2024 “Pastel World” International Association of Pastel Societies Convention. Albuquerque, NM
2024 Arts Thrive, Albuquerque Museum, Albuquerque, NM
2024 PSNM Enchanted Colors, Milicent Rogers Museum, Taos, NM.
2024 26th Masterworks of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM
2024 Southeastern Pastel Society Spring Members Exhibition,
Oconee Cultural Arts Foundation, Watkinsville, Ga.
2024 26th Masterworks of New Mexico Standard Division. Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM
2024 Women Artists of the West. "Dreamweavers" Phippen Museum.
Prescott, Az.
2024 American Artists Professional League. "Realism on the Hudson”,
Howland Cultural Center, Beacon NY.
2024 San Diego Museum or Art Artists Guild, Spring Exhibition
2023 Southeastern Pastel Society. "Luminosity". Online.
2023 International Association of Pastel Societies. 11th Master Circle Divsion.
2023 Pastel Society of America. "Enduring Brilliance".
2023 Arizona Pastel Artist's Association. 2023 Fall Member's Show. Scottsdale, Az.
2023 New Mexico State Fair. Pastel Division. Albuquerque, NM.
2023. American Impressionist Society. 24th Annual National Exhibit.
Somerville Manning Gallery, Greenville, De.
2023 American Impressionist Society. Member Online Exhibit.
2023 Estes Valley Plein Air Festival. Estes Park, Co.
2023 Chicago Pastel Painters. "Pastels Chicago 2023".
2023 American Artists Professional League. Realism on the Hudson.
Howland Cultural Center. Beacon, NY.
2023 Corrales Old Church Fine Art Show. Corrales, NM.
2023 Bosque Art Center. Bosque Art Classic. Clifton, Tx.
2023 Women Artists of the West. "No Place Like Home".
Carriage Factory Art Gallery. Newton, Kansas.
2023 Pastel Society of Colorado. Curtis Center of the Arts, Greenwood Village, Co.
2023 Southeastern Pastel Society. Spring Members Juried Exhibition.
2023 International Association of Pastel Societies.
2023 American Artists Professional League. Spring Members Online Show.
2023 Pastel Society of New Mexico. Enchanted Colors Show.
Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
2023 Pastel Society of New Mexico. Signature Members Show.
Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
2023 San Diego Museum of Art Artists Guild. Online.
2023 Arizona Pastel Artists of Association. Phippen Museum, Prescott, Az.
2023 San Diego Museum of Art – Artists Guild Spring Exhibition. Online.
2023 Pastel Society of Colorado Online Show, Expressions.
2022 Women Artists of the West, 52nd National Exhibition 2022. McBride Gallery,
Annapolis, MD.
2022 Southeastern Pastel Society National Exhibit, “All About Pastel” Alpharetta Art Center,
Alpharetta, Ga
2022 International Association of Pastel Societies, 9th Master Circle Division. Online
2022 34th Old Church Fine Arts Show, Corrales, New Mexico.
2022 Pastel Society of New Mexico. 30th National Exhibit. Millicent Rogers Museum.
2022 Pastel Society of the Southwest, 41st National Juried Exhibition. Grapevine, Texas.
2022 Estes Valley Plein Air Festival, Estes Park, Co.
2022 Women Artists of the West, Online Members Exhibit.
2022 37th Annual Bosque Art Classic, Bosque Arts Center Art Council, Clifton, Texas.
2022 International Association of Pastel Socieites. Master Circle. Pastel World
2022 Excellence in Tradition Fine Art Competition. Coming Together. California Art Club.
2022 Pastel Society of the West Coast. Pastels USA.
2022 CPS, 2022 Renaissance in Pastel show. Lyme Art Association. Lyme, Ct.
2022 Southeastern Pastel Society, 2022 “Make Your Mark” International Exhibition. Online.
2022 San Diego Museum of Art – Artists Guild Spring Exhibition. Online
2022 PSC, Mile High Pastel Exhibition. Gilpin County Arts Associaiton, Central City, Co.
2022 Masterworks of New Mexico, 24th Annual Fine Arts Exhibition. Albuquerque, NM
2022 Arizona Pastel Artists of Association. Phippen Museum, Prescott, Arizona
2022 American Artist Professional League. Associate Member Exhibit.
2022 American Impressionist Society. Small Works Exhibit, Wilder Nightingale Gallery,
Taos, NM
2022 American Impressionist Society. Associate Member Exhibit. Online.
2021 American Artists Professional League, Frank C. Wright Medal of Honor Award.
Sagamundi Club, NY, NY.
2021 40th Annual Juried Exhibition. Pastel Society of the Southwest., Grapevine, Tx.
2021 Fine Arts Show, Old San YsIdro Church, Corrales, NM
2021 “Off the Wall” Cultural Center of Cape Cod, South Yarmouth, Ma.
2021 APAA. Members Show. Scottsdale Artists School. Scottsdale, Az.
2021 49th Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance, Pastel Society of America,
NY. www.pastelsocietyofamerica.org.
2021 International Association of Pastel Societies, 6th Master Circle Division.
Zhou B Art Center, Chicago, Illinois.
2021 Pastel Society of the Southwest’s 40th National Juried Exhibition, Grapevine, Texas.
2021 PSNM, 29th National Painting Exhibition. Millicent Rogers Museum. Taos, NM.
2021 Pastel Society of Colorado Mile High Pastel Exhibition. Curtis Center, Littleton, Co.
2021 American Impressionist Society Associate Member Exhibition. Online.
2021 Small Works Show, The Rice Gallery of Fine Art. Overland, Kansas.
2021 Pastel Society of the West Coast. Members Only Online Show.
20th Southeastern Pastel Society, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, Ga.
51st National Exhibition, WAOW, America the Beautiful.
Museum of Western Art, Kerrville, Tx.
California Art Club, Renewal and Rebirth. Online.
Small Works Exhibit, Rice Gallery of Fine Art, Overland Kansas.
MasterWorks of New Mexico, 22nd Fine Arts Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM. 2021.
California Art Club, Welcome to California. Online. CaliforniaArtClub.org. 2020.
PSNM, 28th National Pastel Exhibition, www.pastelsnm.org.
International Association of Pastel Societies, 37th Juried Exhibition 2020
48th Annual Exhibition: Enduring Brilliance, Pastel Society of America, NY.
Award of Excellence, Dry Media, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Member Exhibit.
Small Works Holiday, New Mexico Art League. 2020.
16th Annual Mile High International Pastel. Mary Williams Fine Art. Boulder CO. 2020.
2021. 2020 Members Only, Pastel Society of the West Coast, www.pswc.ws .
12th Annual National Juried Members Exhibition, Plein Air Painters of New Mexico, Taos, NM.
36th IAPS Juried Exhibition. Dunedin Fine Arts Center, Dunedin, Florida. 2020.
MasterWorks of New Mexico, 22nd Fine Arts Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM. 2020
WAOW, 50th National Exhibition Jubilee, Settlers West Galleries,Tucson, AZ. 2020.
The Magic Hour, The Rice Gallery of Fine Art, Overland Park, Kansas. 2020.
38th National Pastel Show, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Grapevine, Texas.
California Art Club, Autumn Impressions: Painting the American Landscape,
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton, Ca. 2019.
APAA 2019 Members Fall Juried Show. Scottsdale, Arizona.
10th National Juried PAPNM Members Exhibition. Santa Fe, NM. 2019.
Pastel Society of Colorado, Chroma Online Exhibit. 2019.
31st Corrales Old Church Fine Art Show, Corrales, NM. 2019.
Estes Valley Plein Air Festival, Estes Park, Co. 2019.
WAOW Mountainaire, 49th National Exhibition. Boulder, Colorado. 2019.
2019 Mile High National Exhibit, PSC. Curtis Center for the Arts. Greenwood Village, Co.
33rd IAPS Exhibition, IAPS convention. Albuquerque, NM. 2019.
Pastels USA 2019. Pastel Society of the West Coast. Haggin Museum, Stockton, Ca.
2019 APAA Open Spring Exhibition, Sedona, Arizona.
MasterWorks of New Mexico, 21st Fine Arts Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM. 2019.
2019 Spring Online Exhibit. American Women Artists.
PSNM, 27th National Pastel Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM. 2019.
Pastel Society of the West Coast 2019 Annual Members Show. Online.
Pastels USA 2018. Pastel Society of the West Coast, Morro Bay, Ca.
Pastel Society of Colorado Mile High National Pastel Exhibition. Parker Colorado. 2018.
Land of Enchantment. PSNM, Santa Fe, NM. 2018.
UArt Online Pastel Competition. 2018.
2018 Santa Fe Plein Air Fiesta. PAPNM. Sorrel Sky Gallery. Santa Fe, NM.
MasterWorks of New Mexico, 20th Fine Arts Exhibition, Albuquerque, NM.
PSNM, 26th National Pastel Exhibition, Santa Fe, NM.
32nd IAPS Exhibition, American Art Company, Tacoma Wa.
Pastel Society of Colorado, 2018 Horizons Online Exhibition.
SEPS 2018 Members Exhibition. Oglethorpe Museum, Oglethorpe, Ga.
2018 Arizona Pastel Artist’s Association Open Pastel Exhibition.
PAPNM, 9th National Juried Show, Sorrel Sky Gallery, Santa Fe, NM.
Sixth Biennial National Juried Open Exhibition, Pastels Chicago. 2017.
2017 Connecticut Pastel Society, 2017 Renaissance in Pastel Exhibition. Vernon, Ct.
Pastel of the Southwest, 2017 National Juried Exhibition. Grapevine, Texas.
Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque NM 2017.
Pastel Society of America’s 45th Annual Enduring Brilliance Exhibition. New York, NY. 2017.
PSWC, Pastels USA, 31st Annual International Open Exhibition. Morro Bay, Ca. 2017.
PSC 13th Annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition. Denver, Co. 2017.
SE Pastel Society's 2017 Members Exhibition. ART Station. Stone Mountain, Ga. 2017.
International Association of Pastel Societies. IAPS Convention. Albuquerque, NM2017.
Masterworks of New Mexico. Large and Miniature Div.. Albuquerque, NM. 2017.
25th Annual National Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. 2016.
APAA, Fall 2016 Pastel Exhibition. Scottsdale Artists School. Scottsdale Arizona. 2016.
PSWC, Pastels USA, 30th Annual International Open Exhibition. Morro Bay, Ca. 2016.
PSSW National Art Show, Grapevine Texas. 2016.
Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque NM 2016.
On the Horizon/Landsacpe of New Mexico. New Mexico Art League. 2016.
Student and Faculty Exhibit. New Mexico Art League. 2016.
International Association of Pastel Societies. Salmagundi Club, New York, NY. 2016.
PSC 12th Annual Mile High International Pastel Exhibition. Denver, Co. 2016.
2016 Great Lakes Pastel Society National Exhibit. Holland Area Arts Council, Holland MI.
NW Pastel Society, 30th International Open Exhibit. American Art Co. Tacoma, WA. 2016.
2016 Arizona Open Pastel Exhibition. Sedona Art Center, Sedona Arizona.
SE Pastel Society's 17th International Exhibition. Oglethorpe Museum, Oglethorpe, Ga. 2016.
Masterworks of New Mexico. Large and Miniature Division. Albuquerque, NM 2016.
2016 Richeson Small Works Exhibition, Kimberly Wisconsin. 2016.
24th Annual National Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. 2015.
Renaissance in Pastel 2015. Conneticut Pastel Society . Stamford, Conneticut.
Pastel Society of America’s 43rd Annual Enduring Brillance Exhibition. New York, NY. 2015.
Pastel Society of the West Coast’s 29th Annual Pastels USA International Exhibit. 2015.
Emerald Art Center Spring Exhibition, Springfield, Oregon. 2015.
29th Annual Northwest Pastel Society International Exhibit. Tacoma WA. 2015.
National Greely Art Exhibition. Greely Colorado. 2015.
17th Annual Masterworks of New Mexico, Large and Miniature. Albuquerque, NM. 2015.
2015 Members Exhibition, SEPS, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA. 2015.
Pastel Society of the West Coast 2015 Annual Members Show. PSWC website.
2015 Austin Pastel Society Juried Member Exhibition. Corridor of Art, Austin, Texas.
23rd Annual National Painting Exhibition and Fifth Annual Small Works Exhibit,
Pastel Society of New Mexico, Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM. Nov 2014.
2014 OnLine Exhibit. Southeastern Pastel Society.
33rd Annual Juried Show, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Grapevine, Texas 2014.
Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM. 2014.
2014 Bosque Art Classic, Clifton Texas, 2014.
10th Annual Mile High Exhibition, PSC, Denver, Colorado, 2014. (Third Place).
24th International Association of Pastel Societies, Vose Gallery, Boston, Ma. 2014.
Less is More, St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD 2014.
National Greely Art Exhibition, Greely, Co. 2014.
16th International Exhibit, Southeastern Pastel Society, Ogelthorpe Museum ,
Museum of Art, Atlanta, GA. 2014.
2014 Masterworks of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 2014. Large and Miniature.
Expressions West 2014, Coos Art Museum, Coos Bay, Oregon, 2014.
2014 Austin Pastel Society Juried Member, Austin, Texas. (Third Place in Landscape).
2014 Pastel Society of Colorado, Member’s Exhibit, Montrose, Colorado.
2014 American Salon of Fine Art, Online. Distinguished Merit Award. 2014.
32nd Annual Juried Show, Pastel Society of the Southwest, Grapevine, Texas 2013.
22nd Annual National Pastel Painting Exhibition and Fifth Annual Small Works Exhibit,
Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM. November 2013.
Expo New Mexico. New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM. 2013.
2013 Masterworks of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. Large and Miniature Art Div.
Less is More, St. John’s College, Annapolis, Maryland. 2013.
Southeastern Pastel Society’s 2013 Members exhibition. Carrollton, GA. 2013.
21st Annual National Pastel Painting Exhibition and Fourth Annual Small Works Exhibit,
Hispanic Arts Center, Albuquerque, NM. November 2012.
2012 Masterworks of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. Large and Miniature Art Div.
Placitas Artists Series, , Placitas, NM, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2014. 2015.
Cathedral of St. John’s, Art Guild – 2011. 2012. 2014. 2015.
20th National Pastel Painting Exhibit: Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM 2011.
21st International Association of Pastel Societies, Albuquerque, NM 2011.
2011 Masterworks of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. Large and Miniature Art Div.
Inside Out. Fuller Lodge Art Center, Los Alamos, NM. 2011.
19th National Pastel Painting Exhibit: Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM 2010.
Masterworks of New Mexico 2010. Albuquerque, NM 2010.
PSNM Small Works Exhibit, Albuquerque, NM 2009. 2010. 2011. 2012. 2013.
18th National Pastel Painting Exhibit: Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. 2009.
Masterworks of New Mexico 2009. Albuquerque, NM. 2009.
17th National Pastel Painting Exhibit: Pastel Society of New Mexico. Albuquerque, NM. 2008.
Expo New Mexico, New Mexico State Fair, Albuquerque, NM 2006-2010, 2012-2013.
(Honorable Mention 2006, 2009, 2010).
Masterworks of New Mexico 2007. Albuquerque, NM. 2007.
15th National Pastel Painting Exhibit, Pastel Society of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM. 2006.
Group Show Invitational...
Arts Thrive: Albuquerque Museum. 2017. 2018. 2019. 2020. 2021. 2023
New Mexico Cancer Centers. Gallery with a Cause. 2012. 2014. 2015. 2016. 2017. 2018.
2020. 2022. 2025.
Art Under Glass. Placitas Community Library. Placitas, NM. 2017.
Blue Lily Atelier Gallery, Albuquerque, NM. 2016.
Panhandle Plain Invitational Western Art Show. Panhandle-Plains Historical Museum,
Canyon, TX. 2016.
Framing Concepts, Albuquerque, NM. 2015.
Clearwater, First Street Gallery, New York, New York, 2012.
Pastel Perspectives,, Decatur Area Arts Council, Decatur, Illinois 2011.
PSNM Johnson’s Gallery Show, Madrid, NM. 2011.
Savor the Landscape, Sumner and Dene, Albuquerque, NM 2010.2011.
New Mexico Skies, Sumner and Dene, Albuquerque, NM 2009.
Collections (selected):
State of NM Department of Cultural Affairs, New Mexico Arts Division, Art in Public Places:
Lordsburg Port of Entry, Lordsburg, NM. 2015
Center for New Mexico Archeology, Santa Fe, NM. 2016
Natural History Museum, Albuquerque, NM. 2016
Sandia High School. Albuquerque, NM. 2017
Santa Fe Police Department. Santa Fe, NM. 2017
Sandoval County, Senior Center. Bernalillo, NM. 2018
Pecos Senior Center, Pecos, NM. 2019
Bernalillo County Serenity Mesa Recovery Center. 2023
Red River Charter School. 2024
Edith Murray Community Center. San Ysidro, NM. 2024
City of Albuquerque
Mayors Office, City of Albuquerque. Albuquerque, NM. 2018
Instructors...
Albert Handell Mentor Program, Albuquerque. 2011 - present
Marc Bergerson, Taos, NM. 1985-1990.
Biography:
Katherine knew she was an artist at an early age, drawing and painting throughout high school. Katherine majored in art at DePauw University from 1971-1975. She studied with Stephen Greene at the Tyler School of Art in Rome in 1973. She also interned with Willard Midgette in New York City in 1974. Katherine was a frequent visitor to many of the art museums and galleries in New York, Chicago, and throughout Europe. Katherine returned to New York in 1976, and received a master’s degree in art therapy in 1979, from Pratt Institute. During this time, she painted and drew many of the people she encountered in a homeless shelter, on the subways and streets of New York. She befriended members of the Street Painters, including Myron Heise, and attended art critiques in the Bowery. She also took a number of classes at the School of Visual Arts and Pratt Institute. Katherine’s first one woman show was in New York at the Marie Pellicone Gallery in 1982. Absorbing works by Rothko, Vermeer, Rembrandt, Appel, Van Gogh, Monet, Turner, Michelangelo and Botticelli was formative.
Katherine’s desire to live rurally and paint New Mexico landscapes grew after taking a three month painting trip to New Mexico in 1981. She moved to Taos, New Mexico in 1982 and began to paint skyscapes. Marc Bergerson, a New York artist, affiliated with Abstract Expressionist painters, taught her the craft of painting from 1985-1990. She exhibited in galleries in Taos, Scottsdale and participated in many of the juried and invitational shows in Taos, including the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, Art Rental Gallery. Katherine was the curator for the first three Spirit in Art shows held during the Taos Spring Arts Celebration in 1985, 1986 and 1987.
When Katherine’s son was born in 1988, Katherine began a hand painted box business. She sold her hand painted boxes across the United States, Canada and Sweden from 1989-1997. In 1997, she earned a Masters in Counseling and worked as a counselor in private practice and as a school counselor.
Katherine began working seriously in pastels in 2002. She continued to find inspiration in New Mexico landscapes, the cobalt blue skies and brilliant reds and greens found in plants and geological formations. Sunsets incorporate many abstract patterns as well as beautiful layers of color. She thinks of herself as a “Skywatcher”. Katherine has always thought of herself as a colorist, finding Monet and Turner to be an important inspiration. She has been interested in the portrayal of light through color. She utilizes museum quality sanded pastel papers and soft pastels.
Katherine is an award winning artist who regularly participates in national juried and invitational shows. She was awarded Eminent Pastelist by the International Association of Pastel Societies and Distinguished Pastelist with the New Mexico Pastel Society and the Arizona Pastel Artist’s Association. . She is a Signature Member of the Pastel Society of America, Women Artists of the West, the Pastel Society of the West Coast, and Master Pastelist with the Southeastern Pastel Society. Katherine joined Albert Handel’s Mentor Program and has appreciated the growth that she has experienced under his tutelage. Her work was on the cover and featured in the August 2015 issue of the Pastel Journal.
However, what Katherine is attempting to communicate is found in the looking, not the words. Perhaps you will find a sense of quiet, of peace, and wonder at our natural world in her work.
