Kate Davidson - Having lived on working cattle ranches in Montana, Nevada and California, Kate Davidson has flavored her paintings with a western spice. Baby calves, cows and horses are endeared as her favorite subjects; however, she employs her natural God-given talent to capture likenesses in portraiture as well. Scenes of ranch work are also included in the repertoire, such as: a farrier cradling a horse's hoof, a cowboy preparing for work in the tack room of a hundred year old barn, and an old sheep herder sharpening his blade. Kate has also painted some Civil War scenes, as well as wildlife depictions. The variety is extensive--from still life to action.

Kate's works are based in realism, yet expressive in color and application. The medium used in many of her paintings is soft pastel. The term, however, is misleading; the colors produced are just as vibrant as oil or any other medium, and just as durable. She also paints in oil, and has dabbled in gouache.

Born and raised in the Los Angeles area in 1960, Kate has been exposed to a very diversified arena of culture. After graduating High School as Valedictorian in 1978, she married her childhood sweetheart and made the dramatic transition into ranch life. The secluded lifestyle enabled her to explore and enhance her art ability; consequently, she is self taught.

Since returning to California in 1984, Kate has won various awards: a blue ribbon at the Central California Art League, "Best of Show" at the Stanislaus County Fair, gold and bronze medals at the San Dimas Western Art Show in 2000, and a bronze at the show in 2001. Also included in her accomplishments is the cover painting on the Oakdale Rodeo Program, which Kate painted every year from 1990 until 1998. (Oakdale holds one of the most popular Professional Rodeos in the state.)

Kate has displayed original works in the Judith Hale Gallery in Los Olivos, CA, as well as the Kautz Ironstone Vineyards, and the Art Co-op Gallery--both located in Murphy's, CA. She has been a participating artist in the Ceres Western Art Show (for the three years prior to its closing), in the San Dimas Western Art Show (for four years), and in the Cattlemen's Western Art Show (for the past three years). Kate has also completed illustrating a children's book entitled Lord Teach Us To Pray, written by Colleen Townsend Evans and endorsed by Gloria Gaither and Ruth Graham. Kate was the winner of Ironstone Vineyard's Spring Symphony Theme Competition in 2001; thus, promoting her work worldwide as advertisement for the release of Ironstone's "Obsession" wine, vintage year 2000. She was also the recipient of a second place award for the open division at Ironstone in 2003.

Currently, Kate, her husband, Mike, and two children, Ryan and Chelsea, make their home on a small ranch outside of Oakdale, California.