top of page

ABOUT US

We are located in beautiful Keystone, Colorado in the middle of four, world-class ski and summer resorts. Our teachers come from all parts of the world and are all experienced educators. Please read on about all our amazing art and writing instructors.

TEACHERS & STAFF
Anita.jpg
Anita Winter
art instructor

Anita Winter has been interested in art since childhood. She was the student who embellished every paper. Growing up in Michigan and Mexico City enabled her to experience diverse cultures and environments. Consequently, she enjoys painting both landscapes and cityscapes. She is a long time resident of Colorado and avid hiker and backpacker.

 

Anita paints almost everyday, both outside on location (plein air) and in the studio. She paints in watercolor and more recently in oils, continually seeking to grow. She has studied with many talented artists such as Alvaro Castagnet, Kevin Weckback and Marc Hanson. She has also learned immeasurably from her local community of artists.

 

She paints to celebrate, explore and give thanks.Her goal is to capture a moment in time and hopes you enjoy sharing her vision.

​

What Anita's students are saying:

​

I have had the pleasure of knowing Anita for almost 15 years!

In that time I have developed a wonderful relationship with Anita, far beyond her expertise in

painting and teaching! She is a wonderful soul. Besides being an amazing Artist.

Every workshop we have ever hosted with Anita has truly been an amazing experience for the

students, who come away with more knowledge and understanding of the medium of

watercolor.

Anita is patient, kind and so supportive to each and every student no matter their ability. They

all love her, and the workshop! You will find the same students taking her workshops over and

over. That speaks volumes in who Anita is.

If you ever have the opportunity to experience a workshop with Anita, you should take it.

 

Anita Winter is an excellent teacher! I attended her plain aire class for over 1.5

years—-until she moved away. I had never painted outside before. Anita is able

to both teach and demonstrate painting for a group of students, but also

understands each individual’s needs. She knows just what a painting needs—-

how to fix it. I really like and admire her paintings. Anita is also a nice and

delightful person.

 

Besides being a great artist, Anita is a wonderful instructor. I have been painting plein

air weekly with her for two years and have taken an in class two-day workshop. We

have painted a wide variety of subjects including landscapes and buildings. Her

demonstrations are very detailed and she provides a lot of clear information. Being

brand new to painting, she has helped me immensely. She is extremely patient and

helpful. Anita is able to look at a painting and offer suggestions that really make the

painting switch from being just mediocre to one to be proud of. In addition, she is fun

to paint with!

 

Affiliations:

Plein Air Artists of Colorado

Signature member Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society

Signature member Western Federation Watercolor Societies

Signature member Colorado Watercolor Society

​

Anita's Awards:

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Show - Third Place 2024

  • Plein Air Artists of Colorado National Show - Second Place 2023

  • Delta Fine Arts Annual Show - First Place Watercolor and Third Place Watercolor 2022

  • Plein Air @ Altitude - Third Place 2022

  • Snowmass Plein Air Invitational - Merit Award 2022

  • Rockies West National Watermedia, Grand Junction, CO - Richeson Award 2022

  • Boulder Plein Aire - Third Place (Watermedia) 2021

  • Plein Aire Artists of Colorado - Third Place (overall) 2020 (online)

  • Georgetown Plein Air - Best of Show 2019

  • Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Exhibition - Evergreen Business Award 2018

  • Plein Aire Artists of Colorado National Exhibit 2017 - PAAC Board Member Award 2017

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Show - Fourth Place 2017

  • Wild About Colorado - Best of Show 2016

  • South Park Plein Aire - Best of Show 2013

  • National Watercolor Society - Selected for Traveling Exhibit 2012

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Show - President's Award 2012

  • Plein Aire Artists of Colorado - Grant Humphrey's Award 2010

John Keeling new_edited.jpg
John Keeling
art instructor

John Keeling is an award-winning watercolorist who lives and works in Kansas City, Missouri.  He is enjoying a second chapter as a freelance artist, after retiring as a Creative Director from Hallmark Cards in 2013.

 

A dog lover and owner of three beagles, John has built a successful custom pet portrait business, painting the majority of dog breeds over the past seven years.  His design won the 2020 Purebred Dog Day Fine Art/Poster contest.

 

John is represented by MHS Licensing and his watercolors can be found on a range of products, including calendars, fabric and home décor.  He is a member of the Watercolor USA Honor Society, having had his work accepted to the national show for three consecutive years.

 

He enjoys teaching watercolor to all ages and skill levels, from private lessons with a nine-year-old to a group of 80-somethings at a local senior living community.  He has given workshops at local galleries, art centers, and in his home studio and gardens.

 

For more information about John and his work, please visit his website at www.johnkeelingpaintings.com.

Kathleen Lanzoni promo.jpg
Kathleen Lanzoni,
art instructor 

Kathleen Lanzoni grew up in Montreal and California but moved to Colorado 28 years ago. She was formally trained at the Art Institute of Boston and the Massachusetts College of Art, receiving a BFA.

​

Kathleen is an award-winning signature member of the Colorado Watercolor Society, the Western Colorado Watercolor Society, the Rocky Mountain National Watermedia Society and the Western Federation of Watercolor Societies. She divides her time painting between the studio, Plein Air (outdoors on location) and on-site murals. 

​

Kathleen's Awards:

​

  • Georgetown Plein Air Festival 2020 – Best Georgetown Train Painting

  • Rockies West National 2020 – Best Colorado Artist

  • Colorado National Monument 2019 – People’s Choice

  • Estes Valley Plein Air Festival 2019 – Director’s Gold Award

  • Georgetown Plein Air Festival 2019 –Best Historic District Award

  • Plein Air Artists Colorado 2019 – Honorable Mention

  • Boulder Plein Air Festival, 2019 – Third Place

  • Plein Air Artists Colorado, Durango, CO, October 2018 – Honorable Mention

  • Boulder County Parks & Open Space, Longmont, CO, October 2018 – Second Place

  • Estes Valley Plein Air, Estes, CO August-September 2018; 3 awards – Award of Excellence, Second Place Quick Draw, Award for Marketing Material; poster, wine labels, articles, etc.

  • Georgetown Plein Air Festival, Georgetown, CO, August 2018 – Best of Show

  • Boulder Plein Air Festival, Boulder, CO June 2018 – Best of Show

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Watercolor Exhibition 2018, Colorado Springs, Fourth Place

  • Red Brick Plein Air Festival in Aspen, Aspen, CO August 2017 – First Place Quick Draw Competition & First Place People’s Choice Award

  • Telluride Plein Air Festival, Telluride, CO July 2017 – First Place Quick Draw Competition & Third Place People’s Choice Award

  • Boulder Plein Air Festival, Boulder, CO June 2017 -First Place Quick Draw Competition & Third Place Exhibition Body of Work

  • Governor’s Art Show, Loveland, CO, May 2017 – Award of Merit

  • Western Federation of Watercolor Societies, Eugene, OR, April 2017 – Honorable Mention

  • Boulder County Parks and Open Space, Outdoor Creations Plein Air Exhibit, October 2016 – Second Place

  • Plein Air Artists Colorado, September 2016 – Award of Merit

  • Red Brick Aspen Plein Air Event, Aspen, CO, August 2016 – Honorable Mention

  • Colorado Plein Air Arts Fest, Denver, CO, November 2015 – Second Place

  • Red Brick Aspen Plein Air Event, Aspen, CO, August 2015 – People’s Choice, Second Place

  • Red Brick Aspen Plein Air Event, Aspen, CO, August 2015 – Quick Draw, Second Place

  • Why Not Niwot Exhibit, Niwot, CO, May 2015 – People’s Choice Award

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Exhibit, Lone Tree Arts Center, March 2015 – Third Place

  • Colorado Plein Air Exhibit, November – December 2014 – Honorable Mention

  • Rockies Plein Air at CAC Gallery, August – October 2014 – Gold Award

  • Colorado Watercolor Society State Exhibit, Foothills Art Center, March 2014 – Honorable Mention

  • Boulder Art Association -Colorado Chautauqua Art Exhibit, September 2011 – Third Place

  • CAC Random Works of Beauty, Women’s History Month , February 2011 – Artist’s Choice Award

  • Boulder Art Association, Colorado, Chautauqua Exhibit, September 2010 – Third Place

  • Boulder Art Associations Second Chautauqua Juried Show, September 2009 – Best of Show Award

  • Denver Plein Air Exhibition, Denver Public Library, November 2009 – Fine Art Connoisseur Award

  • Spirit of Chautauqua Juried Exhibit, September 2008 – Founder’s Award and People’s Choice Award

  • National Watercolor Society, All Member Juried Exhibit, April–May 2008 – Third Place

  • Colorado Watercolor Society, Member Exhibition, Lapis Gallery, 2005 – Third Place

  • Colorado Watercolor Society, Botanical Gardens Exhibition, 2005 – 2nd Place, Favorite Painting

  • Colorado Watercolor Society, Member Exhibition, 2004 – Second Place

  • Colorado Watercolor Society, Botanical Gardens Exhibition, 2004 – Award of Merit

  • Colorado Watercolor Society, Botanical Gardens Exhibition, 2003

​

Kathleen's Publications:

​

  • Southwest Art Magazine, September 2019

  • Practique des Arts- January 2019- cover image and 2-page article

  • Practique des Arts – October 2016

  • Longmont Times-Call – May 2017 Governor’s Art Show exhibition article- interview

  • Splash 17:The Best of Watercolor, Inspiring Subjects, Published by North Light Books 2016 – Quote in Introduction and painting “Pastoral Afternoon”

  • Longmont Times-Call, Review of Old Firehouse Art Exhibit, September 2009

  • Fox News TV, interview for mural paintings at Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, 2006

  • Foundation Magazine, Exempla Good Samaritan Medical Center, Review of Kids Trek, public art installation, 2006

  • Boulder Daily Camera, Review of Kids Trek, public art installation, 2006

  • Boulder Daily Camera, Review of Art, 2003​

​​

​​

​​

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Head shot Parker painting.jpg
Diane Fechenbach,
art instructor 

Diane Fechenbach  cannot remember a time when she was not drawing or painting. From the time she was a little girl, the world has always appeared to her as a series of paintings. She imagined brush strokes. She mixed color in her mind’s eye and mentally arranged scenery into wonderful compositions.  Strangers became imaginary models as she posed them and watched shadows change shape when they moved.

 

Capturing light and shadow is her passion. She works en plein air as well as in the studio, often beginning a piece with studies on site to capture the freshness of the scene and then finishing it in the studio.

 

She is a signature member of the Watercolor West, Pastel Society of America, Distinguished Pastelist Pastel Society of the West Coast, Master Circle of International Pastel Societies, and numerous others.

 

Her work has been shown in juried international and national exhibitions, has received many awards as well as recognition in national publications. Both her fine art and photography are in corporate and private collections across the country.

​

Some feedback from Diane’s previous workshops:

 

Thank you for a very informative workshop!          W.L.

 

Thank you for a great workshop/painting experience. The location was incredible, the accommodations fantastic, the group amazing and the instructor/artist inspiring. I definitely appreciated your positive suggestions on how to improve my paintings and your confidence building compliments. The entire week was great from breakfast, to the morning demo’s, painting, lunch and evening discussions. I look forward to another of your workshops.   F.P.

 

Thank You for a GREAT CLASS.             C.W.

 

Thank you for having me in your wonderful pastel classes. I had a great time meeting everyone and I learned a huge amount from you each day           W.L.

 

Am sending my kudos on your FABULOUS talk            D.C.

 

So enjoyed your talk and demo           K.S.

 

Love the insight you give especially about shapes.  Gracias! B.C.      

 

Your walk by comments so helpful and your critiques positive.              D.P.

 

Thought your program you presented … was great. You had good information and good examples that really made sense once you talked about them                     T.B.

 

Just a note to thank you again for the wonderful workshop. Over the years I have taken several workshop and I find that yours is exceptional; I think it is exceptional because of your knowledge, your way of teaching and the confidence that you gave me. W.

 

Thank you to Diane Fechenbach for such a fantastic workshop! She’s the best teacher! B.M.C.

 

Thanks for such an inspirational session. R.H.

 

Thank you! I so enjoyed the time I get to spend with you and learn!  S.F.

 

You were so inspiring! A.H.

 

There are so many skills I have learned from you … I really appreciate how it has helped me grow as an artist. Thank you! A.

​

​

​

​

karenportrait.jpg
Karen Ramsay,
art instructor 

Karen Ramsay, celebrated Colorado watercolor artist, devotes her time to capturing the beautiful landscapes around her, and teaching students the techniques and joys of her favorite medium. She is thrilled to be planning this very exciting workshop in Provence. Connect with Karen on Facebook, www.facebook.com/ karenramsayartist.

 

From an early age, Karen enjoyed a love for drawing and painting. Encouragement to pursue this passion came from her parents and artists in her family: her grandmother and cousin. She has been featured in the Big Sky Journal as an "Artist of the West”. Other accolades include: Paint The Poudre: People's Choice Award, Wild About Colorado: Best of Show and the Colorado Watercolor Society: Member Show Award.

 

Karen is a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art in Denver and has studied under some of her favorite artists, including Charles Reid, Burton Silverman, Frank Webb, Eric Weingardt, Thomas Schaller and Iain Stewart.

 

Karen is a member of, WOW • Women of Watercolor, Colorado Watercolor Society, PAAC • Plein Air Painters of Colorado and the Rocky Mountain Conservancy, where she paints and teaches in Rocky Mountain National Park. Another way Karen enjoys the outdoors is cycling, whether at home in Colorado or most recently in Scotland.

 

Student’s praise:

​

“Thanks again for your tremendous class. You are such a great teacher, positive and encouraging! You have a true gift in teaching, not to mention in painting.”

Barb

​

“We had the best two days ever in your class!! You’re a great teacher and we feel so blessed to have connected with you!”

Sue and Mike

​

​

​

Lo Peyron Mathews.jpg
Lo Peyron Mathews
art instructor

Lo Peyron Mathews has an extensive background in art management and over 15 years’ experience in the travel industry, working for a prominent European tour operator, for travel agencies, for the airlines and she has organized vacation trips to many international destinations. She excels at coordinating all the details involved in planning and executing creative vacation tours and travel. 

​

Lo is our instructor for the Beginner's Travel Journaling workshop in Bonnieux, France. 

Born and raised in Sweden, she has always been drawn to art. Growing up, she took every chance she had to create, and painted just about anything, anytime. Her ancestry is French and she draws inspiration from three countries in her art: the vast landscape of Sweden, the stunning and scenic mountains of Colorado, and the picturesque villages of Provence. 

​

Her art style is representational, and she paints uniquely in watercolor. The unforeseen and unplanned nature of this medium is challenging, and she believes that is a major part of its appeal. Her favorite objects are landscapes and people.

​

She has had the opportunity to show her art at exhibits at the Historic Museum in Breckenridge, the Art Stroll in Silverthorne, the Red Buffalo in Silverthorne, the Villa Ingeborg in Cagnes sur Mer, France, and at the Ventimiglia Tourist Information Marketing Expo, Italy.

​

bottom of page