"I have learned more about the intricacies and
subtleties of Nature by drawing and painting plants
and animals than I ever learned in any classroom. 
That is my ultimate reward for the painstaking
effort needed to create a successful plant or animal
portrait." - Kathy Imel

Kathy Imel has been drawing in black and white
for over twenty years.  Only after enrolling in the
Denver Botanic Gardens' School of Botanical
Illustration Certificate Program did she take
the plunge into color.  Graduating from that
program in 1998, she has since shown her art in regional, national, and international group shows, exhibiting works in graphite/charcoal, pen and ink, colored pencil, watercolor, and pastel.  Her work has been included in publications and in private collections. 

When not painting or drawing, Kathy creates vessels from pine needles and gourds, sometimes in combination, as well as designing wire and beaded jewelry.   Plus, she is a photographer, specializing in macro plant portraits.  As an alpine plant guide on 14,000 foot Mount Evans, Colorado, her particular favorites to photograph are the diminutive Colorado alpine wildflowers. 

Kathy is a member and past President of the Rocky Mountain Society of Botanical Artists, and a former member of the Board of Directors of the American Society of Botanical Artists from 2001-2007.  She is a member and current Secretary of the Pastel Society of Colorado and a member of the New Mexico Pastel Society.  She also serves on the Adams County Cultural Council.

Publications:
"Today's Botanical Artists" (2008) - Cora B. Marcus and Libby Kyer;  Schiffer Publishing (www.schifferbooks.com)
        - one of 65 American botanical artists showcased in this book
"Pastel 100 - Animals and Wildlife" - Pastel Journal, April, 2008
Numerous issues of the regional newsletter of the RMSBA

Exhibitions, Awards, and Competitions:
   National/International - Juried:
Pastel 100 Competion (2008): Pastel Journal
        - 2nd place:  Animals & Wildlife
"Artists Alpine Holiday" - Juried national exhibit (2008):  Ouray, CO
        - Honorable Mention: Drawing
Mile High National Pastel Exhibit - Juried national exhibit (2007): Aspen, CO
"Beauty of Botany" - Juried international exhibit (2006): Museum of Nature & Science, Seattle, WA
"Orchids in Contemporary Botanical Art" - Juried international exhibit (2006): Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA
Mile High National Pastel Exhibit - Juried national exhibit (2004, 2006): Denver, CO
        -Honorable mention: Contemporary (2006)
"Nature Painted" - Juried national exhibit (2004): Desert Sonoran Museum, Tucson, AZ
Third Annual Botanical Illustration Show - Juried national exhibit (1999), Denver Botanic Gardens and Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, CO

   Regional - Juried:
"Colorado Visions" - Juried regional exhibit:  North Metro Arts Alliance, CO (2008)
        - Honorable Mention
        - Purchase Award
1st ASBA North American Western Region Exhibit - Juried regional exhibit (2003):  Loveland Museum/Gallery, CO
"From the Garden" - Juried regional exhibit: Lakewood Arts Council, CO (2001, 2003)
"On Land and Sea" - Juried regional exhibit: Lakewood Arts Council, CO (2001)

   Group/Invitational - Non-juried:
Pastel Society of Colorado - Annual group show (2007, 2008)
"Two Women Drawing Plants" - Two person invitational show, CO (2002)
"Spring Blooms in the Rockies" - Annual group show of the RMSBA, CO
        - Runner-up: People's Choice Award (2001)
"Orchids as Art" - Group show of the RMSBA and the Denver Orchid Society (2001,2002,2003)
        - 2nd Place: Black and white (2002)
        - 2nd Place: Watercolor (2001)
        - 3rd Place: Black & white (2001)
"Botanical in Nature" - Group show: Denver Botanic Gardens' Colorado Flora Project
"Colorado Native Plants" - Group show (2003):  Lakewood Cultural Center, CO