Kim Shaklee Biography
Kim Shaklee, a successful wildlife and marine sculptor, distinguishes herself from other artists by her ability to transform static metal into fluid motion to capture the essence of an animal.
Kim is a native of Denver, Colorado. She spent her summers and holidays during her youth at her family's summer home in Estes Park, Colorado. The rugged beauty and grandeur of Rocky Mountain National Park served as her backyard. It was there Kim developed a deep appreciation for the natural world, and an intense love for wildlife. She was able to study an abundance of wildlife first hand, giving her a strong foundation for her future as a sculptor.
Kim was strongly influenced by her artistic father, and her grandfather, who was a large-animal veterinarian. They helped her to define and understand her love for and philosophy for nature in general, and for wildlife and our environment in particular. Combining her life experiences, knowledge, strong artistic abilities, and love for creatures of land and sea, Kim has become a skilled wildlife and marine artist.
Her works have been shown in many national and international exhibitions, and are included in collections around the world, including the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.; the Oklahoma City Zoological Gardens, Oklahoma City, OK; and Benson Park Sculpture Garden, Loveland, CO.
Notable showings include the prestigious National Academy of Design in New York, Mystic International Maritime Exhibition, CT; Art of the Animal Kingdom, VT; American Art in Miniature, Gilcrease Museum, OK; and Distinguished Women In Marine Art, CT.
Kim has received numerous awards including the Gold Medal of Honor from Allied Artists of America, the Paul Manship Memorial Award, and the Anna Hyatt Huntington Bronze Medal. She was recently awarded Best of Show - Southern Wildlife Festival, Decatur, GA, the Claude Parsons Memorial Award at the Salmagundi Club from the American Artists Professional League, Award of Merit - 11th Maritime Exhibition; Coos Bay Art Museum, and the People's Choice Award from Art for the Mountain Community's Public Sculpture Program.
Her work has been the subject of several editorial features in well-known publications, including Art of the West, Wildlife Art, Sporting Classics, InformArt, and American Artist.
Memberships include: American Society of Marine Artists, Allied Artists of America, American Artists Professional League (Fellow), American Academy of Women Artists, Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Arts Club, Pen & Brush, Inc., and Women Artists of the West.