Kay Barnes has been on a quest of artistic expression most of her life. Her first creative statements were in clay sculpture and textiles, later speaking through oils and acrylics. In 1982, she discovered her true voice and passion in watercolor.

Over the years of perfecting her craft, Kay has lived in several different regions of the country, affording her the opportunity to study and paint with many noteworthy artists, among them: Jane Burnham, Joseph Boler, Skip Lawrence, Christopher Schink, Maxine Masterfield, and Tom Nicholas. Her art, while influenced by various artists and regional flavors, remains unique.

Kay is a signature member of both the California Watercolor Association and Northwest Watercolor Society. She is also a past president of the Eastside Association of Fine Arts in Bellevue, Washington. Having exhibited widely, her works hang in many corporate and private collections.

In the last few years, many of Kay's paintings have been commissioned pieces. She loves the challenge of employing a patron's prescribed colors to create an artistic focal point in harmony with its surroundings. Whether it's a series to grace the walls of villas in Antigua or a pair of oversized paintings for the entrance of a new Nordstrom store, Kay's paintings combine creative expressions with great empathy.

Teaching, demonstrations and lectures around the Puget Sound at Cascadia Community College, Daniel Smith Artist's Material, University of Washington Women's Center and the Bellevue Art Museum provide Kay another way to share her love of watercolor. Expanding her teaching to include international workshop experiences for her students, in 2002 she led a two week workshop in Todi, Italy through the International School of Art in Umbria, Italy. With private and semiprivate lessons in her beautiful studio located in Woodinville, Washington, weekly classes, and intermittent workshops, she inspires people to find their own expressions in art. In the words of one student, "True master that she is, Kay projects the attitude not of 'be all that you can be', but rather, 'be all that you already are'."

Kay has also produced a brilliant series of limited edition prints as well as original works. With this extensive range of art, from gentle colors evoking memories of summer evenings on the porch, to gorgeous abstracts, capturing the intriguing movement of water through rocky stream beds, we are confident you will join us in enjoying the rich gifts of this master artist, Kay Barnes.