Kathleen Alexander

I’m a native of Northern California, and after living in Maui for twelve years my husband and I relocated to The Sea Ranch last year to be closer to family. After graduating from San Francisco State University with a degree in biochemistry and working in that field for several years, I decided to focus on my passion for painting in watercolor. In the early 1990’s, I studied with photorealist painter, James Torlakson.

I began teaching watercolor classes and workshops in 2006 and participated in fine art festivals from 2006 through 2016. I began teaching watercolor workshops online during Covid, and continue to enjoy sharing my knowledge of watercolor painting with others.

I am a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Watercolor West, and the Northwest Watercolor Society. I am currently serving on the board of the National Watercolor Society as Awards Director.

In 2010, watercolor artists Carol Carter, Mark Mehaffey, Keiko Tanabe, Thomas W. Schaller, (the late) Nicholas Simmons, and I formed a group to participate in international exhibitions outside the United States. Our group, which we named North American Watercolor Artists, was among the first to represent the U.S. in international watercolor exhibitions. In 2012, we also held a group show outside Washington D.C.

My paintings are included in eight issues of the watercolor compilation book, “Splash” by Northlight Books (issues 12,14,15,16,18,19,20, 21. Splash 21 was published as a magazine.) I have been featured in Watercolor Artist Magazine in 2010, 2014, and recently in May 2021 where my painting was selected for the magazine’s cover. I was also invited join the faculty of the online watercolor convention, “Watercolor Live” in 2022 presented by Streamline Publishing.

I have been represented by the Village Galleries Maui since 2010, where I’ve had numerous solo and group shows. The main focus of my watercolor paintings has been tropical flowers and still life, but I have also been interested in painting grapes and persimmons here in California. I’m currently working on a series of abalone shells, which all have a story behind them. Playing with the contrast between light and shadow is the common theme in my paintings, no matter the subject.

While living on Maui, I realized that I couldn’t just stay indoors painting in my studio in such a beautiful place. I began painting oils “En Plein Air” for fun, and really enjoy the challenge of painting with a new medium, working outdoors, as well as the camaraderie. I’m so happy to be able to plein air paint here on the California coast. This beautiful, rugged coast provides endless inspiration.