Artist Statement

THE MIRACULOUS PROCESS

My need to create flows from the privilege of participating in the miraculous nature of the creative process rather than rendering some notion of a perfect product. The creative process is a confluence of nature’s inspiration and my personal interpretation of what I am experiencing. I strive to create paintings that record my own experience of the subject's essential spirit and energy, not an imitation of a fixed surface reality. This process requires my presence, enthusiasm open-minded appreciation, playfulness, courage and honesty. In this way, creating art is transformative, universal and timeless.

Kathryn Mapes Turner | Artist | Jackson Hole, Wyoming

THANK YOU
When I think of the blessings in my life I feel overwhelmed – I don't know where to begin to say thanks. This is my humble expression of deep gratitude for teachers who have instructed me, fellow artists who inspire me, and family and friends who support me faithfully as I pursue this dream of being an artist.

- MY STORY -

The artwork of Kathryn Mapes Turner has unfolded from the mountain valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here she was born as the fourth generation to be raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. Here her consciousness of the natural world began. She grew up riding the trails of the valley, learning wilderness lore and gaining an eye for landscape. The happy synergy of a receptive spirit and a place of magnificent beauty, set the course for her life.

Turner began studying art in her teens from noted local painters. She then left Wyoming to attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Studio Arts. She spent an influential semester in Rome, Italy and then studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. Turner now has a Master's degree from the University of Virginia.

Having been passionate about painting since childhood, Turner is now nationally recognized with top honors from the American Impressionist Society and the National Academy of Equine Art and the Southeast Wildlife Exposition as the 2017 Featured Artist. Her work has been showcased in the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Charlie Russell Museum, the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West, The Phippen Museum, the Brinton Museum and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Turner has been recognized as Wyoming Best Watercolor Artist in 2001 by the Wyoming Watercolor Society and was included in SouthwestArt Magazine's "Annual Profile of Young Artists with Promising Careers.”

Turner believes that growing up in Grand Teton National Park, a place with such dramatic light and natural composition, gave her an intimate appreciation for art. "I believe the valley of Jackson Hole evokes expression," says Turner. She now travels all over the world to paint. With watercolors and oil paints, Turner responds with visual contemplations of beauty in hopes of sharing this love of the sublime with others through her work.

Turner also owns and features her work at Turner Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming - a simple and uplifting space where she shares her own work as well as hosting that of other top artists from around the world.

view Kathryn's work

AWARDS

2022
Best of Jackson Hole, Gold

2021
Best of Jackson Hole, Gold

2020
Best of Jackson Hole, Silver

2019
Jackson Hole 35th Annual Fall Arts Festival, Featured Artist & Featured Piece
Best of Jackson Hole, Silver

2018
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Featured Artist & Featured Piece

2017
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Trustees Purchase Award
Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Best in Show

2016
Featured Artist, Notre Dame Magazine
Featured Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine

2015
TOSCA, Wyoming Artist of the Year

2013
Excepted, Signature Member - American Impressionist Society

2012
Best of Show, American Impressionist Society

2011 - 2016
Best Established Artist, Silver – Jackson Hole Weekly

2010
Contemporary Art Award, American Academy of Equine Art
Award of Excellence, American Impressionist Society
Mini Top 50 Award Winner, Paint America

2004
Featured Artist, Jackson Hole Old West Days

2003
First Place, Women Artists of the West International Juried Show
Accepted, Signature Member - Wyoming Watercolor Society

2002
Top 21 Under 31 Emerging Artists, SouthwestArt Magazine

2001
Best Wyoming Artist, Wyoming Watercolor Society
Best Local Artist, Jackson Hole Mountain Artist Rendezvous

1992
Purchase Award, University of Notre Dame

1987
Purchase Award, National Museum of Wildlife Art

EXHIBITS AND COLLECTIONS

2017-2021
Solo Exhibition - Turner Fine Art

2016 - 2021
Western Visions
Southeastern Wildlife Exhibition

2021
Artist Rendezvous The Brinton Museum, Big Horn WY
Artist in Residence Exhibition The Brinton Museum, Big Horn, WY
Accepted in permanent collection The Brinton Museum, Big Horn, WY

2020
“Jackson Hole Five” Booth Museum of Western Art in Atlanta, GA

2015 - 2016
Great Works, Small Wonders
National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum
Oklahoma City, OK

2015
“The Horse” The Gallery Exhibition
Dorset, England

2014 - 2016
South Eastern Wildlife Exhibition
Charleston, South Carolina

2010 - 2012
American Impressionist Society National Exhibition

2010, 2012, 2014, 2015
International Birds in Art Exhibition
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum

2010
Masters in Miniature Show
CM Russell Museum

2006-2016
One Woman Exhibition
Trio Fine Art
Jackson Hole, WY

2008, 2010
National Academy of Equine Art National Juried Exhibition

2007, 2009
Solo Exhibition
Susan Calloway Fine Art
Georgetown, Washington DC

2007
One Woman Exhibiton
Thos. Moser
Washington DC

2006- 2016
Western Visions Show & Sale
National Museum of Wildlife Art

2005- 2016
Rocky Mountain Plein Air Painters Exhibition

2005
Three Woman Exhibition
National Museum of Wildlife Art

2004
Dehli 4 International Art Exhibition
India

2004
Two Woman Exhibition, Landscapes
National Museum of Wildlife Art

2003
WAOW International Juried Competition

2002
Solo Exhibition
Muse Gallery
Jackson Hole, WY

2000 – 2006
Mountain Artist Rendezvous
Jackson Hole, WY

2001 - 2010
Jackson Hole Fall Arts Festival
Quick Draw and Auction

2001, 2003, 2005, 2011
Out of the Box Auction
National Museum of Wildlife Art

2001- 2005
Wyoming Watercolor Society National Watercolor Show

1999
Artist League
Torpedo Factory, Alexandria

PRESS

Southwest Art
April 2021
"The Next Generation | Kathryn Mapes Turner"

Southwest Art
April 2021
"Our Golden Anniversary"

The Post and Courier
September 2020
"Featured artist Turner persists to paint beautiful creatures of Wyoming"

Jackson Hole Traveler
September 2020
"Artist Kathryn Mapes Turner"

Art of the West
2019 September/October Issue
"Beyond Everyday Reality"

Western Art Collector
2019 September Issue
"Distilling Nature"

Cowboys & Indians
May 2019
"Art Gallery: Kathryn Mapes Turner"

Notre Dame Magazine
Autumn 2018
"Painting a Sense of Place"

Fine Art Connoisseur
December 2017
"Featured Artwork: Kathryn Mapes Turner Presented by SEWE"

VIDEO

Art Publisher, Eric Rhoads with guest artist Kathryn Mapes Turner

National Museum of Wildlife Art
Artist Voices: Kathryn Mapes Turner