Kay Witherspoon was trained as an art educator in the secondary schools yet is primarily self-taught.  She did, however, take instruction from professional artists Robert Bateman, Greg Beacham, Simon Coombs, and John Banovich.  She 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 painted” (Robert Bateman, credited as being the most influential wildlife painter of all time by art historian and curator, David Wagner).

Kay is a traditional realist painter.  Her work is distinctive for its luminous bold color, accuracy in detail and form, perspective and composition. The luminous quality in her work is gained by utilizing layering, glazing, and scumbling techniques of Venetian oil masters and 19th and 20th century classical traditionalist.  Kay depends on her own photography, field studies, and her experiences for her inspirations.

In 2006, Witherspoon purchased a newly built, 1865 sq. ft. townhome to use as her art studio, gallery, and art school.  The two car garage was converted into an art classroom complete with sink, cabinetry, specialized lighting, and shipping area.  The second floor works as overflow for frames and artwork while the main first floor serves as her gallery, reception area and sales office.

EXHIBITIONS – AWARDS – COMMISSIONS – PUBLICATIONS – MEMBERSHIPS

● 2017 The Colorado Governor’s Exhibition and Sale, Loveland Art Museum & Gallery, CO
● 2017 The American Academy of Equine Art, On-Line Exhibit
● 2017 The National Oil And Acrylic Painters Society, On-Line Exhibit
● 2017 International Artist Magazine Competition – Landscapes (August, 2017 Edition)
● 2017 Society of Animal Artists’ Trailside Gallery Exhibition

● 2016 The Phippen Museum, Prescott, AZ “Hold Your Horses” Invitational
● 2016 The National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society, International On-Line Exhibition Exhibition
● 2016 Society of Animals Artists “Animalia”, The Loveland Art Museum in Loveland, CO
● 2016 Colorado Governor’s 25th Silver Anniversary Exhibition, in Loveland, CO

● 2015 2015 Colorado Governor’s Show, in Loveland, CO

● 2014 2014/2015, 54th Annual Art and the Animal Exhibition by the Society of Animal Artists (SAA) – On Annual Tour
● 2014 International 2013/2014 ARC Salon Competition
● 2014 2014 Colorado Governor’s Show, in Loveland, CO

● 2013 2013 annual Birds in Art Exhibition by the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum
● 2013 53rd Annual Art and the Animal Exhibition by the Society of Animal Artists (SAA)
● 2013 Signature Poster Artist 2nd Annual Art of The Race, by the Wildlife Experience Museum

● 2012 Signature Poster Artist, Annual Art of The Race: The Kentucky Derby Day, by the Wildlife Experience Museum
● 2012 The American Academy of Equine Art “The Horse In Fine Art”

● 2011 The 51st Art and the Animal Exhibit and National Tour by the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), Awarded the Award of Excellence at Dennos Museum Center 9/17

● 2010 The 50th anniversary celebration and Art and the Animal Exhibit and National Tour by the Society of Animal Artists (SAA), Awarded the Award of Excellence in San Diego at the an Diego Natural History Museum, California 9/4

● 2009 Selected by President Carter for installation in the Conference Room of the CEO at the Carter Center, Atlanta, GA
● 2009 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 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

● 2008 Two time finalist in the 23rd Annual Artist’s Magazine’s Art Competition

● 2007-2008 Commissioned by Bill and Joan Porter, founders of eTrade, the ISE, and Stillheart
● 2007-2008 Society of Animal Artist’s “Art and the Animal” National Exhibition as well as the National Tour
● 2007 Invitational artist, American Academy of Equine Art “Horse In Fine Art” exhibition, Denver
● 2007 Accepted into the Oil Painters of America Central Regional Exhibit
● 2007 OPA 16th Annual National Exhibition, – Fredericksburg, TX
● 2007 Invitational artist, 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

● 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 – “Twilight Crossing” Purchased for private collection by the founder’s of The Wildlife Experience Museum
● 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 “Equine Spirit” The Wildlife Experience Museum, Denver,CO – Feature Artist with her oil painting, “Wind Storm” selling at auction for 1.5 x the asking price and it’s image featured on the labels of celebratory wine bottles
● 2004 Juried into the Society of Animal Artists, NY, as a signature member
● 2004 – Best of Show: Oils/Acrylics – Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum: 23rd Annual Western Spirit Art Show & Sale; Sale
● 2004 – Invitational Exhibition – Taos, NM “Wild Horses”

● 2002 Member of the American Academy of Equine Art, KY
● Winner of the American Academy of Equine Art Founder’s Award at the International Museum of the Horse, Lexington, KY, USA
● 2002 Saratoga Springs Summer Fine Art Show – Equidae Gallery, July 26-September 2
● 2002 Denver Polo Association’s British Airways Polo International Poster Artist
● 2002-03 Invitational artist at the Wildlife Experience Museum’s “Wild Horses” exhibit

● 2000 Arts for the Parks Top 100 * Winner of the Sam Houston Duck Company Migratory Waterfowl Award, Arts for the Parks
● 2000 Oil Painters of America, Top 200
● 2000 – OPA 9th Annual National Exhibition – Carmel, CA
● 2000 International Polo Expo 2000 – Las Vegas, NV, October 13-15
● 2000 Equestrian’s Perspective, Sportsman’s Gallery, Ltd., Atlanta, GA – 4/1 – 5/6
● 2001, 2000, 1999 Denver Polo Classic Invitational, featured & commissioned poster artist

● 1999 Solo Exhibition – Pacific Coast Open, Santa Barbara, CA

● 1998 – American Academy of Equine Art (AAEA), Fall Show Case, Founder’s Award in Oil Painting

-Also-

● 2021,2020, and 2019 Signature artist for “Polo America” magazine.
● 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 Association website
● 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; Diamond & Spurs Art Auction; Hayotte Gallery LTD, Saratoga, NY
● Poster artist for the Denver Polo Classic 1999, 2000, 2001; the British Airways Polo International 2002; and the Harriman Cup, WV,