From The Studio - May and June
Dear friends and collectors,
Show season is here and I am happy to report that I have been busy both in the studio and in the great outdoors! I arrived home from the breathtaking and inspiring Grand Canyon, where I spent days hiking and painting en plein air. I have lots to share this month - more about my Grand Canyon adventures, exciting upcoming shows, and other news can be found below. It is shaping up to be a busy year! Be sure to check out my ‘Musings’ section, where I explore ‘finding balance’ within my busy season. I hope you are enjoying the sunshine and time with family and friends. And as always, thanks for following along, and happy Summer from the studio!
Warmly,
Kathryn Stedham
Giving a demo for audience on the rim of the Grand Canyon.
Grand Canyon Conservancy
Grand Gathering and Celebration of Art
I had a super time painting for the Grand Canyon Conservancy's Grand Gathering weekend. It was a beautiful time of year to be at the Canyon—crisp air, stunning light, and inspiring company. The weekend was filled with engaging talks, artist meet-ups, and a special behind-the-scenes tour of the historic Kolb Studio and home. I learned a ton and can't wait to be back there again!
I’m thrilled to share that my work will be featured in the upcoming ‘Grand Celebration of Art’ this September. Stay tuned for more details—and be sure to check the link for a preview of what’s to come!
Upcoming Show at Blue Rain Gallery
Out West
Artist Reception: Friday, July 25th from 5 - 7pm
Back by popular demand! My show 'Out West' will be opening at Blue Rain Gallery with more than a dozen new paintings. Save the date, and I hope to see you there!
“‘Out West’ showcases the landscape paintings of Kathryn Stedham, whose modern expressionist style captures the vast beauty and spiritual resonance of the American Southwest. Influenced by the Taos Society of Artists and grounded in plein air practice, Stedham translates the landforms, skies, and elemental energy of New Mexico and Arizona into bold compositions defined by gestural brushwork, strong shapes, and rich contrasts of light and color. Her work transcends realism, offering an intuitive, emotional response to the natural world that invites viewers into a timeless, contemplative experience of place.” - Blue Rain Gallery
Back Cover of SouthWest Art Magazine, painting:
Cloud Shadows, oil on linen, 16 x 20in
Current Show at The New Mexico Capitol Building
GO FIGURE: Women Painters and the Figure
I am proud to be featured in GO FIGURE: Women Painters and the Figure, currently on view and running through August 22nd!
Participating artists:
Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin, Erin Currier, Rimi Yang, Robin Jones, Kathryn Stedham, Susan Contreras, Irene Hardwicke Olivieri, and Peggy McGivern.
East Rotunda Gallery, State Capitol, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Curated by Cynthia Sánchez, Ph. D., Director, Capitol Art Foundation, Curator, Capitol Art Collection
Me with my painting, Prayer for Rain, Moki Snake Dancers after E. Irving Couse. Available through Blue Rain Gallery.
Musings:
Study Of Balance
People often ask me how I manage my schedule — especially during the busy show season, with all my business travel, painting for shows, developing personal work, the research that goes into each painting, as well as continuously refining my skills as a painter. This, plus all the components that make up my personal life — cultivating hobbies and interests outside the artworld, not to mention regularly competing in Western Dressage, and obsessing over cross fit. And my answer is, I honestly don’t know! Lol! How does anyone manage? Finding a sense of balance seems to be an answer, or at least something everyone is after.
What is this elusive ‘balance’? Well for me, things got to a point where I had to make a change. Now, I take more frequent breaks when painting, and give myself permission to take small 'timeouts' to goof off a bit. The result is that I create the same amount of work, paint even better paintings, and am a more inspired and happier human.
I am still a work in progress (aren’t we all?), but I am hopeful about living a life that is full of everything that inspires me, and to learn to work smarter and not necessarily longer. I hope your journey is leading you to a path of inspiration, happiness, and yes, balance. It is possible!
Thank you for being part of his journey! Please feel free to follow me on my social media and forward my newsletter to others who may enjoy my paintings and musings.
