SEWE counts it a great privilege to showcase an expansive collection of wildlife art from premier painters and sculptors in the genre. While the pinnacle of our year occurs in February when artists and collectors gather in Charleston, we represent artists and source new work year-round. We look forward to celebrating these new works with you throughout the year, and hope they bring you the same inspiration as they do us.  Stay tuned as new works will be released bi-monthly. See all available works at the Fresh off the Easel gallery.>>

FRESH OFF THE EASEL WITH KATHRYN ASHCROFT

DAYDREAM BELIEVER
Oil on Linen, 20 x 30, $4,200

“The words to the song Daydream Believer, sung by The Monkees, kept going through my head the whole time I was painting this piece. It just seemed to me that this beautiful little black bear was daydreaming about whatever it is that black bears daydream about, as it relaxed on its favorite tree limb. high above the forest floor. I wanted to give a sense of height, space and relaxation with this piece. I hope all who view it will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed painting it.”

– Kathryn Ashcroft

Kathryn Ashcroft was born in a small, Northern Utah farming town in 1961. She was raised on the family dairy farm where animals were fed before people were and a strong work ethic was instilled in her at a very young age. Many hours were spent on the back of a horse and riding was her favorite pass time. Her Mother, also an artist, created beautiful paintings in oil and this was a great source of inspiration. Kathryn began drawing animals very early and was encouraged and taught by her Mother and by Nature.

Kathryn began working in oils in 2004. Striving to convey the essence of the animal, as opposed to a detailed depiction, she uses a loose, painterly style. The result is a beautiful rendition of what the viewer would see if they were viewing the animal in the wild. Abstract backgrounds bring the focus of the painting to the animal itself.

As a child, Kathryn had ample opportunities to view wildlife in its natural environment. She continues observing and studying animals every day and her paintings are based on personal experiences that she has had. She will not paint an animal unless she has seen it and studied it in the wild. Countless hours are spent outdoors and in nature capturing reference material for her artwork. While the main focus of her work is wildlife, Kathryn also paints western and Native themes.

The use of light, color, shape and value are important to Kathryn and she is constantly striving to bring all dimensions of her paintings to a higher level. Kathryn’s work is found in collections across the country and internationally. It is her desire that all who view her work will have a greater appreciation for the natural world.

Learn more about Kathryn Ashcroft.