ARTIST: Kari Waltz

3-Day Studio to Plein Air Workshop
Watercolors
Beginning to Intermediate Levels

Artist’s Statement

I was born to create. Maybe this statement is an exaggeration, but God has instilled in me a thirst that can only be quenched through some form of creative outlet. I am inspired by nature and find wonderment in God's creation. Seeing the beauty of this world is an escape visually, spiritually, and emotionally. Personally, my art is a therapeutic escape that brings me peace, and I am honored to share it with others.

Watercolor Journaling

I began my love for watercolor in 2016 when I discovered an aquabrush. It carries water in its handle; because of its convenience, I've painted on a bus, in the car, on a plane, and even a kayak! This little tool allowed me to paint anywhere! I can capture a quick sketch, en plein air, or if I'm on a time frame, I work from photographs. This form of creating has allowed me to document my life in a more artistic way. My smallest watercolor travel kit weighs less than 1/2 pound, which is a good thing when I am hiking.

Workshop

This workshop is open to all levels. You do NOT need prior watercolor experience, but having some basic drawing skills is helpful. I can't wait to share this passion with you, please join me at the Tallapoosa School of Art in April, 2021!

Artist Bio

Waltz is a versatile artist who works in oils, acrylics, watercolor, graphite, pastels, charcoal, and pyrography (wood burning). Most of her work is focused on realism where she explores the play of light on a subject or captures a special moment in time. She is drawn to God’s creation and often works from plein air, while on location, or her own photographs taken from hikes in the woods with her husband or on the beach with her girl friends.

Waltz grew up in Texas and New Mexico and taught in the Texas and Georgia public school systems for 30 years. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Elementary Education from Lubbock Christian University and completed a Masters in Educational Leadership from Georgia College and State University. She has lived in Macon since 1986 and has been married to Brad since 1983. They have two daughters, Tawny and Kelcy.

Since her retirement in 2013, she has focused on pursuing art as a new career through commission work and teaching. She believes that learning is essential to reaching another level of skill and has attended workshops in portrait, landscape, and plein air painting. Waltz has completed portrait work for Bernice King (Martin Luther King Jr.’s daughter), The Atlanta Hawks Foundation, and Mercer University and recently placed first in the open category of the Quick Draw Forgotten Coast's en Plein Air virtual competition.
She has studied with Albert Handell, Karen Margulis, Marsha Savage, Camille Przewodek, Helen Kleczynski, Rita Kirkman, Greg Barnes, and Bob Nulf. She strives to improve her craft so she can share her best with students. ​It thrills her when someone who takes a class or workshop realizes the excitement of creating. Many have never known or experienced the therapeutic benefits of working in some form of creative outlet, and many have let fears of failure or embarrassment keep them from trying. Don't let this be you! Her goal as a teacher is to instill within each student the confidence to try.