Kathleen Hooks resides with her husband John in the rural farmland east of Pasco, Washington. Her home and studio overlooks the vast Columbia River Basin, the source of inspiration for her oil and encaustic landscapes.
Initially a self-taught watercolorist, she pursued her training through extensive reading and experimentation. The concentrated learning process of creating detailed watercolors in the first years was invaluable to her as an artist.
“After mastering technique and the medium, there came a time that I desired to move beyond technical skill to include passion in my art. The landscapes and skyscapes that surround me everyday are a constant source of inspiration and wonder. They can change quickly from peaceful and tranquil to dramatic and stormy. I find that these ever-changing moods and impressions often imitate life.”
Transitioning into a more expressive style in response to her environment, Kathleen began painting in oil and then encaustic. Her goal became not to record an actual place, but rather the sensation and emotion from being there.