"Kathleen Conover's work soars. It is sensitive, dynamically designed, and extraordinarily expressive. Her work lifts my spirits."

Mary Ann Beckwith, N.W.S.

"Hers are reflective pieces, but their beauty emanates an inner glow with strong probes at the past, the present and the future."

Maggie Linn, A.W.S.

"A skillful painter with a personal vision and excellent design skills. An unusual combination."

Mark Mehaffey, N.W. S., A.W.S.


Painting became a focus of Kathleen Conover's life when at a very young age she received her first set of paints and won her first award in a regional school competition. Growing up in southern California she was exposed to an art-rich environment and surrounded by working artists, nationally acclaimed instructors and a strong "California School of Art" style of contemporary painting.

Kathleen studied undergraduate fine arts at San Diego State University and the University of Washington. She earned her Master of Arts degree at Northern Michigan University.

As a Master Artist, Kathleen is frequently asked to jury exhibitions and teach workshops across the country. Her travels around the world continue to enrich and inspire her work. She paints with openess and honesty to her subject matter guided by intense observation and deep personal reflection. Her unique designs are rich in symbolic expression, and observed with "multiple layers" both literally and figuratively. Living over 30 years on the shores of Lake Superior in Michigan's upper penninsula, she is continually inspired by an intimate relationship with a dramatic nature: it's severity and beauty, it's abstract forms and concepts and it's natural complexities.



Prestigious Awards

Kathleen is a signature member of American Watercolor Society (AWS), National Watercolor Society (NWS), International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA, and the Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA). She has been invited and juried into many top national and regional exhibitions garnering many prestigious awards. Some are as follows:

The American Watercolor Society (AWS)- Signature Status
  • Silver Medal of Honor, April 2011
  • Paul Schwartz Memorial Award
  • Travel Exhibit Awards

Adirondacks National Exhibition of American Watercolors
  • Dr. Donald and Helen Burness Memorial Award

Audubon Artists 50th Annual Exhibition
  • Aquamedia, Ject-Key Memorial Award of Excellence

International Society of Experimental Artists (ISEA) - Signature Status
  • Nautilus Fellow
  • Best of Show Gracie Award
  • Medal of Merit Award
  • Watermedia Award

National Watercolor Society (NWS) - Signature Status
  • The Travel Exhibit Award
  • Awarded lifetime signature membership

Transparent Watercolor Society of America (TWSA) - Signature Status and Master Artist Status
  • Best of Show Skyledge Award
  • Winsor Newton Award
  • Kenneth R. Hetzel Memorial Award
  • Chicago Art League Award
  • Peterson Foundation Award


Kathleen is included in many books and art publications including the following:
  • Watercolor Artist, "Chaos to Order" - a Kathleen Conover article by Meridith E. Lewis (FW Media, Jan/Feb 2012)
  • Watercolor, "25 Artists to Watch", Naomi Ekperigen (Interweave Publishers, Fall 2011)
  • Splash II, New Directions: The Best of Watercolor, Rachel Rubin Wolf, ed. (North Light Books, 2010)
  • Art Revolution, Alternative Approaches for Fine Artists and Illustrators, Lisa L. Cyr (North Light Books, 2009)
  • Watercolor Expressions, Betty Lou Schlemm (Quarry Books, Rockport Publishers, Inc. 1999)
  • Creative Watercolor: Step-by-Step Guide and Showcase, Mary Ann Beckwith (Rockport Publishers 1996)
  • The Artistic Touch: I, II and III, Christine M. Unwin (Creative Art Press 1995, 1997, 1999)
  • The Best of Watercolor 2, Betty Lou Schlemm and Larry Webster, ed. (Quarry Books, Rockport Publsihers, 1996)


Download a copy of Kathleen's resume in PDF format.





  The Fine Art Gallery of Kathleen Conover
info@kathleenconover.com

The STUDIO Gallery
2905 Lakeshore Blvd.
Marquette, MI 49855
906 228-2466