Congratulations to the 2024 winner, Kay Stratman, from Jackson, WY with her piece "Song of Wyoming"!

Kay Stratman graduated in art from Minnesota State University-Moorhead, beginning her art career as a graphic designer in Minneapolis, where she also studied Asian painting. Her focus now is a contemporary expressive interpretation of all things wild, with a hint of Asian influence. Kay lives in Jackson, Wyoming, exhibiting nationally, interpreting wild landscapes with spontaneous brushstrokes of vibrant watercolors on gold and silver shikishi boards.

“An important element of my life and painting is simplicity. But no matter how simple a painting may appear at first glance, I hope the viewer will notice something new each time they look at it, whether it is a gently shaded sky or a distant river created by meandering drips of watercolor. Each drip, splash and brushstroke exists to be studied, savored and enjoyed.”

See more of Kay’s work here .