Profile Photo

Kate Peper

  • 1637 Fifth Avenue, San Rafael CA, 94901

About The Artist

Artist Statement

Artist Statement 2022

 

Alive on the paper, watercolor is a creature I have to simultaneously tame and let run wild. Every painting presents itself as a tightrope walk. It’s thrilling, maddening and never dull. Watercolor is my medium of choice throughout my life and one I always returned to between careers in graphic and rug design and animation.

I am drawn to the often-overlooked landscape of disrepair of Northern California. My paintings of old mailboxes, VWs and West Marin scenes reflect humor and recognition of our unique life here. There is a laid-back quality in our world that still exists between encroaching developments and high-tech business. The subjects delight me as I paint them but also remind me they are a record of what’s fast disappearing.

Many pieces in the swimmers series were painted as an escape from the stifling heat in my studio and from the isolation I felt brought on by the pandemic. I was projecting a lot of myself into these scenes as they helped me feel refreshed and alive—the very things I felt when I was an avid swimmer in my youth.

Both categories, though very different, have longing as an emotional touchstone. I believe they both are trying to recapture scenes or feelings that are beyond or almost beyond our reach but very much alive within memory.

Biography

Watercolorist originally from Minnesota, now living in Fairfax these past 25 years. I’ve worked as an 2D animator, graphic artist, rug designer but have always held on to watercolor as my mainstay medium. I’ve shown locally and nationally and managed a few prizes along the way. Now that I’m retired, I paint, garden and write poetry regularly.

Art Medium(s)

Watercolor

Studio Information

Building Name

Cedar House

Special Location Or Visiting Instructions

2 hour parking on 5th. Unlimited free parking on G north of 5th.

COVID Precautions

Contact Information

Artist Full Name
Contact Email Address
Phone

4154851973

Artist Website

Exhibitions & Press

Group Exhibitions

2023: marinwood Invitational Annual Spring Art Show: “Mermaid’s Day Off”

2023: Winter Invitational Art Show, Falkirk Mansion: “”Splash!” and “So You Know What I Am?”

2022: California Watercolor Association, Falkirk Mansion: “All In”

2022: 53rd National Watercolor Exhibition

2022: Cover art for The Adroit Journal, phoebe and Nostos (all poetry journals)

2022: 52nd National Watercolor Exhibition

2021: California Watercolor Association: Autumn Color, Fusion Art Watercolor Exhibition (online only), Marin Society of Artists, All About Women, California Watercolor Association, Shower Us with Art, California Watercolor Association, Spring Into Art,

2020: J. Mayne Gallery (online only), Seasons, Petaluma Art in the Park (online only), California Watercolor Association Spring Show.

2018: Marin County Fair, “New Buds”.

2016: Falkirk Cultural Center, Fall Open Juried Exhibition,

2014: Au Coquelet, Valentine’s Art Show, Marin County Fair, “Pt. Reyes Station” and “Nicasio Eucalyptus”

2013: Marin County Fair, “Lucky Bobbers”

2012: Falkirk Cultural Center, Falkirk’s 100 Holiday Silent Auction.

2011: Marin Civic Center Galleries, Art on the Farm Collective, Yosemite Renaissance, “Yosemite Moss”

2010: Ross Valley Artist Winter Show, Ross Valley Winery.

 

Publications

2020: Phoebe, “The Long Afternoon”

Awards

2021:”Pt. Reyes Lighthouse”, Honorable Mention, Fusion Art Watercolor Exhibition

2020: “Cali Bug”, 2nd prize. Spring Show, California Watercolor Association.

2018: “New Buds”, Honorable Mention, Marin County Fair Fine Art Competition.

2014: Pt. Reyes Station” receives Special Award from marin Watercolor Society. “Nicasio Eucalyptus” receives Honorable Mention.

2013: “Lucky Bobbers”, AC Graphics Award, Marin County Fair Fine Art Competition.

2011: “Yosemite Moss”, $500 Award from Yosemite Renaissance National Art Competition.

 

Education

Description

2007, California School of Surface and Fabric Design, Berkeley, CA. Associate degree in surface and fabric design. Hand-painted and computer skills emphasized.

1993, Sheridan College, Oakville, Ontario, Canada. Associate degree in hand-drawn, 2-D animation. With honors.

1998, Minneapolis Technical College, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Associate degree in commercial art, with honors.

1984, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota. BA in Humanities with a Studio Arts minor. Graduated cum laude.

Groups

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MOS GALLERY

Open late April to Mid May, 2024
  
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May 4-5 & 11-12, 2024

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