The Genesis of an Artistic Vision
Kelly Sooter’s journey into the world of art began as a young child, where curiosity and a love for creativity were nurtured in the most unexpected places. Growing up in the 1960s, her fascination with classical European art was sparked by visits to a family friend’s home adorned with paintings that filled every nook and cranny. She spent hours analyzing the techniques, colors, and hidden structures in these works, long before she even encountered the formal concept of design. This early exposure planted the seeds of her future artistic endeavors, leaving an indelible mark on her approach to visual storytelling.
Her passion for landscapes grew from deeply personal experiences. Family drives through the hauntingly beautiful terrain of Eastern Washington and the majestic mountain highways became sources of inspiration. A specific clump of trees and a small pond observed repeatedly on interstate journeys left a lasting impression. Cold autumn nights spent traversing lonely, moonlit country roads lined with wheat fields and evergreen silhouettes became the emotional cornerstone for one of her most cherished paintings. These moments, steeped in nostalgia, remain a recurring motif in her work, imbuing it with warmth and authenticity.
Although her love for art blossomed early, pursuing a classical education in the United States during the 1970s and 1980s proved challenging. Art programs often lacked structured training in foundational concepts like composition and color theory. Determined to refine her craft, Sooter sought mentorship from European masters such as Slava Letkov, Misha Lebedev, Sergi Terentiev, and Bjorg Kleivi. These intensive studies provided her with the technical expertise she would later adapt into her unique style, blending classical rigor with contemporary aesthetics.
Kelly Sooter: A Contemporary Voice in Landscape Art
Sooter’s career as a full-time artist took shape after years of balancing art with a corporate career and raising a family. Her artistic voice emerged through sheer perseverance, eventually leading to her work being represented by galleries across the United States. A pivotal moment occurred during a visit to a Seattle-area gallery, where the owner instantly recognized the emotional depth of her paintings. This marked the beginning of a professional trajectory defined by rapid success, culminating in exhibitions in the Southwest, including a gallery near Zion National Park that showcased her innovative interpretations of desert landscapes.
What sets Sooter apart in the competitive world of contemporary landscape art is her ability to reimagine a classical genre. Her artistic style, which she describes as Contemporary Representational, challenges traditional norms while staying true to the principles of composition and design she spent decades mastering. Drawing inspiration from impressionists who rebelled against the conventions of their time, Sooter infuses her works with a modern sensibility that resonates deeply with collectors. Her imagery avoids strict realism, instead evoking a sense of place through emotional memory, which invites viewers to see their own experiences reflected in her work.
Collectors and galleries alike are drawn to the soulful quality of her paintings. Sooter’s pieces, whether depicting sweeping desert mesas or intimate, moonlit wheat fields, often elicit powerful emotional responses from audiences. One notable example is her painting Almost Home, which moved a gallery visitor to tears. Through her art, she aims to connect with viewers on a profound level, crafting pieces that serve as mirrors to their inner worlds.
The Art of Telling Stories Through Landscapes
Themes of resilience, hope, and introspection permeate Kelly Sooter’s landscapes, which often depict life’s journey as a winding path. Her works feature streams, trails, or snow-filled cuts in the foreground, symbolizing the trials and triumphs of human experience. These visual pathways guide the viewer’s eye through landscapes filled with contrasts—lush greenery juxtaposed with arid deserts, serene skies set against impending storms. Each composition reflects her personal journey, from growing up with a family affected by mental illness to enduring her own health battles with breast cancer.
Sooter’s ability to translate her life experiences into compelling art stems in part from her choice of medium and techniques. Her textured works, created with thick layers of oil and gouache, capture the rugged beauty of the Southwest’s mesas and buttes, while her layered, transparent oil paintings convey luminosity and depth. This duality allows her to express a wide range of emotions, from the harshness of life’s struggles to the delicate beauty of moments of peace.
The stories behind her paintings are as integral to her art as the visuals themselves. Her piece A Country Song exemplifies this, encapsulating her love for unremarkable yet profoundly meaningful landscapes. Created as an expression of joy, the painting represents her view of life as a flow of life-giving energy, much like the water depicted meandering through the field. Though initially intended for her personal collection, it now resides with a collector who shares her deep appreciation for its symbolic resonance.
Kelly Sooter: Breaking Rules and Inspiring Connection
Sooter’s artistic influences are as varied as her techniques. The works of Emily Carr, Maynard Dixon, and Whistler have shaped her approach to depicting landscapes with fresh perspectives. Like Carr, who was unafraid to reinterpret Canadian wilderness in a bold and contemporary style, Sooter strives to offer a modern take on the American West. Dixon’s ability to convey vast desert distances with subtle energy resonates deeply with her practice, inspiring her to capture the spirit of these spaces in ways that challenge traditional formulas.
Her dedication to authenticity drives every piece she creates. Rather than adhering to market trends or artistic conventions, Sooter focuses on crafting works that reflect her inner world. This philosophy has occasionally drawn criticism, yet her success with collectors underscores the enduring appeal of her vision. Her audience includes not only art aficionados but also individuals who find solace and inspiration in her work, further validating her commitment to staying true to her unique style.
Sooter envisions a future where contemporary landscape artists collaborate to showcase their diverse interpretations of the West. She believes this collective effort could break the rigid expectations often placed on landscape art, encouraging audiences to embrace alternative perspectives. Just as Maynard Dixon’s pioneering approach expanded the possibilities of the genre in the early 20th century, Sooter seeks to inspire a new wave of appreciation for landscapes that are as varied and complex as the lives they reflect.
