Featured Artist Kathy Moore Wilson

Enjoy these captivating and expressive animal portraits by artist Kathy Moore Wilson. See more of her work by visiting her website.

 

 

I’m both a painter and an animator. But mostly, I think of myself as a storyteller. Even when my paintings don’t move, they are still telling a story.

 

 

My current focus is on painting animals, both pets and wildlife. Whether I paint animals or children, I always imagine a story. I sometimes like to imagine what they are thinking, or what they are about to do, or what they just did.

 

 

I try to invent stories in my head about them. This is one of the reasons that I always give my animals names, if they don’t already have one.

 

 

For example, I painted a portrait of a friend’s beautiful cat that had recently passed away. My friend missed her terribly. The cat’s name was Augustine, and she was beautiful and regal and strong. I imagined her looking out at her human family members, saying, “Don’t be sad. I am okay. And I will see you again. Thank you for being such a wonderful family. Now, go out and play!”

 

 

I also painted a picture of an adorable lemon drop beagle puppy, who had been adopted by two good friends. He was curled up asleep, cuddling with a beloved toy. I could such imagine him saying, “Sigh… I am so lucky. I have a wonderful family, and a wonderful big sister border collie. It’s good to feel safe and happy. Yawn… good night.”

 

 

Although I love to sketch and draw from life, I generally work with reference photos. When I look for photos to paint, I also look for a story.

 

 

If the subject in the photo is not talking to me, then it probably won’t make a good painting, at least not yet. I set it aside and move on to another.

 

 

My paintings are primarily mixed media in a somewhat impressionistic style. Although my favorite subjects are animals or children, I sometimes delve into forest imagery, or put the animals or children in a forest setting.

 

 

I love portraiture, especially when I can focus on the subjects’ eyes, and I sometimes add a little fantasy influence. I have also been very honored to be commissioned to create paintings of beloved pets or children, and I always enjoy doing so.

 

 

I combine traditional paintings with digital watercolor and sometimes mix in pen and ink or colored pencil. Combining traditional tools with digital tools gives me the freedom to create the paintings I envision.

 

Artist Kathy Moore Wilson invites you to follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

 

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