"I strive to create paintings that record my own experience of the subject's essential spirit and energy, not an imitation of a fixed surface reality. This process requires my presence, enthusiasm open-minded appreciation, playfulness, courage and honesty. In this way, creating art is transformative, universal and timeless.”

The artwork of Kathryn Mapes Turner has unfolded from the mountain valley of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. Here she was born as the fourth generation to be raised on the Triangle X Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. Here her consciousness of the natural world began. She grew up riding the trails of the valley, learning wilderness lore and gaining an eye for landscape. The happy synergy of a receptive spirit and a place of magnificent beauty, set the course for her life.

Turner began studying art in her teens from noted local painters. She then left Wyoming to attend the University of Notre Dame, majoring in Studio Arts. She spent an influential semester in Rome, Italy and then studied at the Corcoran School of Art in Washington D.C. Turner now has a Master's degree from the University of Virginia.

Having been passionate about painting since childhood, Turner is now nationally recognized with top honors from the American Impressionist Society and the National Academy of Equine Art and the Southeast Wildlife Exposition as the 2017 Featured Artist. Her work has been showcased in the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Charlie Russell Museum, the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West, The Phippen Museum, the Brinton Museum and the Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum. Turner has been recognized as Wyoming Best Watercolor Artist in 2001 by the Wyoming Watercolor Society and was included in SouthwestArt Magazine's "Annual Profile of Young Artists with Promising Careers.”

Turner believes that growing up in Grand Teton National Park, a place with such dramatic light and natural composition, gave her an intimate appreciation for art. "I believe the valley of Jackson Hole evokes expression," says Turner. She now travels all over the world to paint. With watercolors and oil paints, Turner responds with visual contemplations of beauty in hopes of sharing this love of the sublime with others through her work.

Turner also owns and features her work at Turner Fine Art Gallery in Jackson Hole, Wyoming - a simple and uplifting space where she shares her own work as well as hosting that of other top artists from around the world.

Select Awards and Accolades

2019-2025 – Best Artist of Jackson Hole
2024 – Featured Artist, Thomasville Wildlife Arts Festival
2019 – Jackson Hole 35th Annual Fall Arts Festival, Featured Artist
2018 – Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Featured Artist & Featured Piece
2017 – National Museum of Wildlife Art, Trustees Purchase Award
2017 – Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, Best in Show
2016 – Featured Artist, Notre Dame Magazine
2016 – Featured Artist, Fine Art Connoisseur Magazine
2012 – American Impressionist Society National Exhibition, Best of Show

Collections

Booth Western Art Museum, Permanent Collection | Cartersville, GA
Brinton Museum, Permanent Collection | Big Horn, WY
National Museum of Wildlife Art, Permanent Collection | Jackson, WY
University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN
St. John’s Hospital Sage Living Center | Jackson, WY