Art is the avenue through which I focus. The act of painting itself is the most important part of the process to me.

Some of my early subjects were beautiful buildings, my profession of Architecture and Interior Design was my avenue back to an early passion for art.  Fine detail was important in the early days, since then I have explored an impressionist style with abstract color and shape which changed the way I approached art fundamentally. Now I am combining both techniques which is even more satisfying and challenging. This has provided a broader scope from which I can select style with subject.

At times it feels as if I want to wear two hats, one which does the fine sketching detail work and one who wants nothing more than to use color in ways which make my heart sing, regardless of shape or form. I’ll leave it to the viewer to judge which one wins out in each case. Regardless of the subject the most success I can measure in every case is how compelling was the process? Was I immersed within the pleasure of the moment or did my mind wonder. There are a handful of paintings which really did seem to paint themselves, these are my favorites.

In 2019 I began painting animal portraits which I found very satisfying. These paintings are gradual buildup of layers of washes which take some time to execute. Since the process is so important to me these paintings are most enjoyable to produce. It is also fun to discover character and personality. One day soon I hope to include human portraiture also.

I consider my journey as an artist a lifelong act which is developing and evolving over time, and no matter how long I have painted, I feel like I’ve only just begun, the potential which I sense has no limits, thank goodness!

Biography

I have a degree in Interior Design and have spent many years in Architectural practice, although now I divide my time in photography and painting in my home studio in Maine.

My focus in Art began in 2009 when I attended Boston Architectural Collage for a semester, one which included watercolor rendering. This was a turning point which initiated my passion for the medium of watercolor and a desire to focus upon fine art.

I have a particular love of the complexity of watercolor, and I like to experiment with how varied and far reaching the medium of watercolor can be. Painting on Yupo and different weight paper, cotton canvas and wood panels have opened up a wealth of new possibilities. Having fun with shape and color in between more subdued and technical paintings has been a way to stay excited and engaged in the medium.

Largely self-taught I have spent the last few years taking occasional classes with talented local artists, and workshops from some of America's finest watercolorists, including Tom Schaller and Carl Dalio, and Ken Hosmer, among others. I am still involved in and have a passion for Interior Design and I divide my time between design, traveling and photography, gaining inspiration, and painting, in my beautiful studio. In Alfred Maine. 

Awards/Recognition

June 2019 'The Variegated Rose' won First Place in Watercolor in the Art Guild of the Kennebunks members show in Kennebunkport Maine

October 2018 'Reef' won an Honorable Mention in the ArtinME Statewide Fine Art show Boothbay Maine.

'Cleo' Permanent Featured Artist on Facebook 'Bright Beautiful Watercolor' January 2017

FAV 15% Bold Brush Painting Competition (Painting: 'Cleo') July 2016

Viewer’s Choice Award Watercolor Society of South Texas 45th Annual Exhibit (Painting: ‘Classical’) 2014

June 2013 ‘Elegance’ won OUTSTANDING WATERCOLOR Bold Brush Painting Competition.

June 2013 ‘Elegance’ won FAV15% Bold Brush Painting Competition.

Honorable Mention Watercolor Society of South Texas 44th Annual Exhibit Juror: Ken Hosmer (Painting: ‘Driftwood on Ruby Beach’) 2013

March 2013 ‘Driftwood on Ruby Beach’ won FAV 15% Bold Brush Painting Competition.

March 2013 ‘Weathered Well’ won Best Works on Paper Dimension XL 40th Annual National Juried Exhibition Juror: Elizabeth B. Reese Corpus Christi Art Center Texas.

April 2011 Invited to be the 'Guest Featured Artist' for the Annual Rockport Tour of Homes. A series of 7 paintings one each for the homes included in that season's homes tour.

© Copyright 2026 Kathryn Leeson-Kight Original Watercolors. All rights reserved. The use of any image or content from this site is prohibited unless prior written permission from the artist is obtained.

This website uses a SSL Certificate which is identifiable by a padlock icon next to the website's URL in the Address Bar.  SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser.  This digital certificate authenticates a website's identity and enables an encrypted connection to provide visitors with peace of mind.