Meet Kathy
Kathy Beekman is a master finger painter whose soft pastel artwork emerges from the West and Midwest countrysides — but her creative life reaches far beyond the easel. She's also an art career coach, mentoring artists nationwide since 2006, and a travel curator, leading small-group journeys designed to inspire creativity and connection.
She lives in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado, where her home and studio are perched at 8,600 feet. "The vastness of the natural landscape here inspires my work. My paintings reflect how I think and feel about my environment."
Kathy grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a small city surrounded by farming communities that continue to inspire her subject matter — the barns, clouds, open spaces, and streams that conjure idealized versions of the landscapes she experienced as a child. Her style has evolved to include mountains and vast landscapes, shaped by where she now lives and the places she visits, carrying a simplified graphic quality with the same quiet, reflective mood found throughout her work.
Alongside her studio practice, Kathy has spent nearly two decades helping fellow artists navigate the business and inner work of building a creative career. And through Thrive Through Travel, she and her husband Chris — an anthropologist specializing in archaeology — lead small-group journeys that blend her artist's eye with his cultural expertise, creating trips grounded in genuine connection to place.
A highly collected artist, Beekman has seen gallery representation in New York, Canada, Michigan, Indiana, throughout Colorado and in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Artist Biography
Kathy's passion for the arts extends beyond her canvas. She is a highly sought-after art career coach for artists who want to “rise above the rest,” an instructor in pastel painting to adults, and owner/designer of Beekman Press, a greeting card company that carries two lines.
She has authored two books. The first book, Prosper: A Success Book for Artists, is packed with tips and real-life experiences offering crucial advice on how to reach personal artistic goals. Her second book, Motivational Quotes: A Reflection Book for Artists, is an exceptional collection of inspirational quotes, along with easy to remember tips and self-reflection questions to motivate artists forward in their creative lives.
Artist Statement
"Painting is my way of exploring my surroundings. It is my key to the secret garden, my way down the rabbit hole, my looking glass. By closely examining architecture, noting the way a cloud casts a shadow, or discerning the color of a mountain in the distance, I better understand the world in which I live.
Coloring books and doodles started me on my artistic path. From the beginning, transforming a piece of paper to reflect my thoughts and feelings has struck me as magical. I love the sense of fulfillment that I get from successfully conveying my emotions onto paper. This is how I best communicate.
Self-taught in the medium of soft pastels, no tools other than my fingers are used. Though I work quite deliberately, my unconscious is truly calling the shots. It steers my compositions, my color choices and their placement, and tells me when a painting is finished. Creating comes intuitively rather than intellectually."
Artist Resume
Current and Selected Past Representation
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2023-Present The Schoonover Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO
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2019-Present Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2018-2021 Marigold Arts, Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
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2017-2020 Hoff Miller, Interior Design Show Room, Denver, CO
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2002-2019 Squash Blossom Gallery, Fine Art Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2006-2018 Canyon Road Contemporary Fine Art Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
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2005-2006 Blair Carnahan Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Recent Invitational Exhibitions
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2025 Conversations with Nature, Lakewood Cultural Civic Center, Richey Gallery, Lakewood, CO, Red Carpet Event, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2024 Red Carpet Event, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2023 The Holiday Market, Thrive Creative Community, Denver, CO, Red Carpet Event, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2021 Rise, Bitfactory Gallery, Denver, CO, 5th Annual Invitational – No Show, Bitfactory Gallery, Denver, CO
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2020 Uglies Sculpture Exhibit, Guest Artist, River Canyon Gallery, Bailey, CO, Open Spaces Exhibit, Bitfactory Gallery, Denver, CO
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2019 Cowgirl Up! Art from the Other Half of the West, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ
Recent Solo Exhibitions
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2024 New Featured Artist, Schoonover Gallery, Steamboat Springs, CO, Artwalk Featured Artist, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2023 Featured Artist, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2022 Artwalk Featured Artist, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2021 Artwalk Featured Artist, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO, New Works, Marigold Arts Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
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2020 Artwalk Featured Artist, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
Recent Group Exhibitions
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2025 Monochromatic, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2024 Red Essential, Limitless Potential, Framed Image, Denver, CO
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2023 Miniature Show, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO, Still Life and Life Still, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2022 There is No Business Like Snow Business, Framed Image, Denver, CO, Trees, Hunter-Wolff Gallery, Colorado Springs, CO
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2019 Shape of Landscape, with Katharine McKenna, Richey Gallery, Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, CO
Recent Juried Exhibitions
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2025 Every Little Thing: A Mini-Musings Exhibit, Curated by Wendy Littlepage, Denver Art Students League, Denver, CO 80421
Selected Collections
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Josh Brolin, Hollywood Actor
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TransMontaigne, Colorado
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Brookside Nursing Center, Castlerock, Colorado
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InnovAge, Pennypack Senior Care Facility, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Municipal Museum of Tala, Jalisco, Mexico
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First National Bank of Colorado, Colorado
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Perkins Coi Law Firm, Colorado
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Siena Heights University, Michigan
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Casa Cuma B&B, Santa Fe, NM
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CoBank, Colorado
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Robert Morris, Indiana State Representative
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Private Collectors, throughout the United States, Mexico, Caribbean and Europe
Selected Teaching and Mentorship
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2018-Present Instructor with Art Makers Denver, A Three-Day Urban Art Retreat, Denver, CO
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2006-Present Art Career Coach, Virtual and In-Person meetings across the United States
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2006-Present Private Pastel Painting Instructor
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2013-2015 CREATE Advisor for the Adopt the Creative Program through Metro State University, Denver, CO
Education
1993 Siena Heights University graduated Cum Laude and with a BFA. Concentrations in drawing, ceramics and photography.
Recent Publications About and By the Artist
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January 4, 2024 Steamboat Pilot&Today e-magazine, section "news", heading "2024 kicks off celebrations of diverse art with First Friday Artwalk", by John Camponeschi, article
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January 2, 2024, Steamboat Pilot&Today e-magazine, section "News", heading "First Friday Artwalk to unveil gallery update, strong locat artist presence", by John Camponseschi, article
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May 14, 2021, Shoutout Colorado emagazine, section “Local Stories”, heading “Meet Kathy Beekman | Professional Artist, Art Career Coach, Author & Greeting Card Designer”, article and images, Read more https://shoutoutcolorado.com/about-shoutout-colorado/
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May 14, 2021, Shoutout Colorado emagazine, section “Unique Perspectives, heading “Insider Insights: what they know and we don’t”, article and image, Read more https://shoutoutcolorado.com/insider-insights-what-they-know-and-we-dont-6/ July 2020, SALT magazine online, section “Art, Trending”, heading “Bitfactory Gallery is Back; Art Exhibits in the Era of COVID19”, by Ezra Lloyd | “Open Spaces Art Exhibit, Kathy Beekman,one of five featured artists”, article and images, Read more https://saltmag.online/2020/07/11/bitfactory-gallery-is-back/#atbs-ceris-offcanvas-primary/
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2020, Migrations in Late Mesoamerica, book, book cover illustration by Kathy Beekman
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2020, The Evolution of Social Institutions, Interdisciplinary Perspectives, book, illustrations pages 530-532
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2019, Motivational Quotes: A Reflection Book for Artists, book, authored by Kathy Beekman
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2019, Be a Changemaker: Realize Your Power as an Artist, workbook, designed and authored by Kathy Beekman
Selected Videos About the Artist and/or Her Artwork
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2019 - Beekman Fine Art & Design: Created by Sandy Puc Video Team, about the artist and her artwork, 3:30 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCCMw0brzGg, ArtCoaching for You with Kathy Beekman: Created by Sandy Puc Video Team, testimonials and interview, 2:17 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= ahuK1xZo4uY, Kathy Beekman Fine Art &Design – Client Testimonial: Created by Sandy Puc Video Team, testimonial by art collector, 1:18 minutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v= Als4wuC788Y -
2016 - Tourism Santa Fe: Canyon Road Spring Arts Festival, 2 images https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UovVSh3D8SM
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2015 - Love in the Time of Dots: WalkingDots printing company, image, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PW4D-QRi_vo
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2013 - Passport to the Arts, video, sponsored by the Canyon Road Contemporary Art Association, filmed by Mayo Whaley
Selected Speaking Engagements
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2024 - "Finding Your Artistic Voice", Program Speaker, Anythink Library, Brighton, CO
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2023 - "Learn to Speak Like A Pro", Program Speaker, Boulder County Art Alliance, Boulder, CO
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2022 - "Really Easy Bookkeeping for Artists", Program Speaker, Art Marketing Projec, Boulder, CO
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2021 - "How to Succeed at Art Festivals without Losing Your Mind", Program Speaker, Boulder County Art Alliance, Boulder, CO
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2019 - "Turn Your Passion into a Financially Sustainable Full-Time Career, Panel Discussion, Anythink Library, Thornton, CO, “Approaching Galleries with Confidence”, Program Speaker, Masterclass, Art Marketing Project, Boulder, CO
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2018 - “Make a New Year’s Art Resolution: Set Artistic Goals and Reach Succes”, Program Speaker, Boulder County Art Alliance, Boulder, CO
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2016 - “Self-Promotion is NOT a Dirty Word: 7 Ways to Effectively Market Yourself”, Speaker, Master of Ceremonies and Organizer of Panel Discussion, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ
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2015 - “Sell Your Art”, program speaker for the Evergreen Artists Association, Main Street Gallery, Evergreen, CO
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“Breaking Boundaries: The Business of Art”, panel discussant, Center for the Arts Evergreen, Evergreen, CO
“The Business of Art: Navigating the New Landscape”, Center for the Arts Evergreen, Evergreen, CO -
2014 - “Marketing, Working Outside the Box”, round table discussant, Desert Caballeros Western Museum, Wickenburg, AZ, “Prosper, A Success Book for Artists”, book reading and discussion, Alliance Artists of Evergreen, Genessee, CO
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2013 - “How to Approach an Art Gallery”, webinar, Metro State University Denver, CO, “Working with an Art Gallery”, webinar, Metro State University Denver, CO, “Turn Your Business into a Work of Art”, panel discussant for the Denver Art Student’s League’s Business of Art Fair, Denver, CO
Recent Honors
- 2025 Juror, "Connect, Community, Compassion", Heritage Art Guild, St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Highlands Ranch, CO
- 2021 Juror, "The 2021 Bemis Art Show", Heritage Art Guild, Edwin A. Bemis Library, Littleton, CO
- 2019 Juror, "Evergreen Fine Art Festival", Evergreen Artist Association, Evergreen, CO
Selected Art Activities
- 2024-Present Founder and Owner of Thrive Through Travel, creative director and host of curated travel for creatives, Bailey, CO
- 2021-2024 Founder and Owner of Thrive Creative Community, on-line creative community for women creatives, Bailey, CO
- 2019-Present Founder and owner of Beekman Press, greeting card company, Bailey, CO
- 2014 Past President of the Center for the Arts Board of Directors, Evergreen, CO
- 2013-2014 Board of Directors Member, CREATE MSU, Metro State University, CO
- 2009-2014 Member of the Center for the Arts Board of Directors, Evergreen, CO
- 2006 Founder and Owner of ArtCoaching for You, Art Coaching Business, Bailey, CO