Statement
I count myself fortunate to be an artist. My paintings reflect the scenes and people in my daily life and many are begun or painted entirely on location or from life. Painting “en plein air” is filled with both challenges and great pleasure. No day is ever the same. To smell the earth and be surrounded by birdsong is a gift, and when it’s the coldest or wettest of weather I can retreat to the sanctuary of my studio. And so, I join a long history of adventurers who translate the beauty of their surroundings onto canvas with brushes and paint. It gives me great pleasure to share these moments in time with those who live with my paintings in their lives. (Source: artist's website)
Biography
Kathie Wheeler is a classically trained representational oil painter whose work is inspired by the people and places in her life. She grew up in the Chicago area and studied at the American Academy of Art and now lives on a small farm with her husband in the beautiful Driftless area of Wisconsin. Kathie is a lifelong student of painting and she loves to pass on her passion to others. She is a signature member of Oil Painters of America, American Impressionist Society and American Women Artists, serves as the vice chair of the board of the American Impressionist Society and is the Wisconsin State Ambassador and member of the Portrait Society of America. (Source: artist's website)
Awards
2025
American Impressionist Small Works Exhibition, Best of Show, Wet Wall
2023
American Impressionist National Exhibition, Best of Show Wet Wall
2022
American Impressionist Small Works Exhibition, Second Place, Third Place Wet Wall
2021
Portrait Society of America Members show, 4th Place Commissioned Portrait
2020
Oil painters of America Eastern Regional Show, Award of Excellence
2019
American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Portraiture Award of Merit
2018
American Impressionists National Exhibition wet Paint Honorable Mention Award
Oil Painters Of America Eastern Regional Show, Portraiture Award of Excellence
2017
Bold Brush Competition, Finalist
Northern National Art Competition, Award of Excellence
2016
Cedarburg Plein Air Festival, Honorable mention
2014
Cedarburg Plein Air Festival, Best in Show
Cedarburg Plein Air Festival, 2nd Place Quick Paint
2013
Between the Bluffs Plein Air, LaCrosse WI, Best in Show
Between the Bluffs Plein Air, La Crosse WI, 1st place quick paint
Cedarburg Plein Air, Cedarburg WI, Honorable Mention, Artists Choice
2012
Cedarburg Plein Air, Cedarburg WI, Honorable Mention
2011
Richeson 75 Wisconsin Plein Air Exhibit, Bergstrom–Mahler Museum, Best in Show
2010
Colorado Mountain Plein Air, Buena Vista, CO, 2nd Place
Red Wing Plein Air Festival, Red Wing, Minnesota, Best Quick Paint, Award of Excellence
Beloit Plein Air, Beloit Wisconsin, Best of Show
International Fine Art Painting Competition, Best Portrait/ Figurative
2009
Milwaukee Plein Air, Milwaukee WI, 1st Place Award
Wayne Plein Air June, Honorable Mention
(Source: artist's website)
