About Golden K Studio

Cindy Deborah Sorley-Keichinger

My approach to painting my images tends to be a bit of” By Gosh and by Golly”, lots of research, and tons of reference photos, to get my details right.  The end result is a by-product of what I saw out on my travels, and the artistic vision of what is in my head. 

I have yet to do a painting that I think exactly measures up to what I was attempting, but what is life without challenges?  The world is an interesting place, with lots of wonderful things to see and explore; I try to capture this attitude in my work.  There is a definite “nothing ventured nothing gained” approach to how I do things.  Being self-taught, has freed me from the “you can’t do this”, or the “you can’t mix that” that formal training would have given me.  There is a real sense of freedom when I try my hand at another challenge.

My favourite fall back quote, when I’m a little nervous about what I’m trying; comes from Robert Bateman….”If you painted it once, you can do it again!”  Very freeing, if you are trying an effect you are not sure will work!

Alberta Artist Cindy Sorley-Keichinger

CV/ Bio

      I come from a family with strong artistic ability, but I’m the only one who has taken it out of the hobby realm.  My family are from Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. However, my Father joined the Armed Forces, and finally settled in Alberta.  I trained as a Medical laboratory technician, and have not been formally trained in art.  As a teenager, and with my Father’s input, I worked on drawings at home.  These efforts, I entered in junior competitions and often won a placement.  While at university, I tried my hand at murals, and learned how to scale things up and down in size.  I really did not view myself as a painter because I did not think I knew how to use colour.  I was frustrated that my pictures would not match what was in my head; so I did not pursue art as a career choice.

    After my marriage, my husband encouraged me to take a painting class being offered.  I was interested this time because I had since seen work by Robert Bateman.  His style was along the lines of what I had always seen in my head and admired.  Anyway, after being told to mute my colours; what I came up with surprised both my husband and myself. I have continued, with my husband’s support, ever since.  I have since taken workshops with John Seerey-Lester, Carl Brenders, Allan Hunt, Robert Bateman, Daniel Smith, Jan Martin McQuire and Terry Isaac; all of whom are both great painters and great teachers.

    I am often called on to teach workshops, and art project classes. My work has been in shows across the United States and Canada in such places as New York, Ottawa, Lloydminster, Edmonton, Calgary and Vancouver; as well as being in a year long Cross Canada show with Canadian Wildlife Habitat; and I was also the artist in residence in February 1999 for the Barr Colony Heritage Center and “Education through Art Society” My work is in collections across Canada, The States and overseas.

    I have now been painting seriously since 1990; fitting it around our Family Grain farm. I like to work in oil, acrylic, and gouache, which have the strong colors I prefer to use.  I find they work well for painting Nature and Landscapes, my favorite subjects to paint.

Currently I am represented by Picture This Gallery in Sherwood Park Alberta. (www.PictureThisGallery.com)

  • Born in Barrie Ontario
  • Lived all over Canada due to Father in the Military
  • Spent most of Growing up in Grand Centre, Alberta
  • Trained as a Medical Laboratory Tech, and has two years of Pre-Med. Schooling
  • She has been married to a Grain Farmer in the Kitscoty area for 40 plus years; and has four children; and 9 grandchildren.
  • She is a self-taught artist, and has taken workshops from people like: Robert Bateman, John Seerey-Lester, Carl Brenders, Allan Hunt, Daniel Smith, Terry Isaac, Guy Coombes, Jan Martin McQuire and other notable artists.
  • She works primarily in Acrylic, but also does work in Gouache and oil.
  • Her preferred subject matter is nature and wildlife, but she does landscapes and children too.
  • She likes her colours to have “punch” so she tends to have a vibrant colour palate.
  • She teaches art workshops to children and adults and goes pro-bono into schools to work with teachers on art projects.
  • She is the Chair for the Arts Without Borders Fine Arts Shows, that are part of the Lloydminster AB/SK Arts Without Borders Arts Festival (artswithoutborders.ca) since 2007.
  • She has been painting now with her Husbands encouragement for the last 30 plus years.
  • She is the recipient of many awards and has shown her work internationally. Her work can be found in collections at home and over seas.

Exhibitions:

  • WAOW (Women Artists of the West) – 54th National Exhibition – Dreamweavers – Prescott AZ – 2024
  • 14th Biennial National Exhibition – Punta Gorda FL – 2024
  • Artists For Conservation – Vancouver – 2023
  • Richeson75 Animals, Birds & Wildlife – Online – 2023
  • Masterpieces in Miniature – Sherwood Park Alberta – 2023, & 2024
  • Art Room Gallery – International Art Exhibition “Waters” – 2023
  • Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery – 13th Animals Art Show – 2023
  • Art Room Gallery – International Art Exhibition “Animals” – 2023
  • Art Room Gallery – International “Green” Exhibition – 2023
  • NOAPS Spring Online International Exhibition – 2023
  • David Sheppard Wildlife Artist of the Year – Virtual – 2022
  • NOAPS Fall International Online Exhibition – 2022
  • Portrait Society of America – Members only online show – 2022
  • Artist Space – “Nature Art Competition – 2022
  • Colors of Humanity Art Gallery – “Animals” Show – 2022
  • Society of Canadian Artists – 54th Open Juried Exhibition – Papermill Gallery Toronto – 2022
  • American Artists Professional League 94th Grand National Exhibition – 2022
  • Society of Animal Artists – Winged Things Show – 2022
  • Artists For Conservation – Vancouver BC – 2022, 2023
  • Acrylic International Biennial Juried Exhibition – Kenosha WI – 2022
  • American Artists Professional League Spring 2022 Online Show – 2022
  • Picture This Gallery – Masterpieces in Miniature – Sherwood Park, Alberta – 2022
  • Society of Canadian Artists – Open International Juried Exhibition – Online – 2022
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – Artist’s Choice Show – Vancouver – 2022
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife Show – Online – 2021
  • Society of Animal Artists – “The Kingdom” – Midland Centre for the Arts – 2021
  • Artists For Conservation – AFC Exhibit Tour – Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – 2021
  • WAOW – Online Show “All Creatures Great & Small – 2021
  • Richeson75 International Art Competitions – Landscapes – Online – 2021
  • Society of Animal Artists – Roger Tory Peterson Institute & Tour – 2021
  • American Artists Professional League 2020 Online “Your Favorite thing” – 2020
  • Society of Animal Artists – Hiram Blauvelt Museum – New Jersey – 2020
  • International Guild of Realism (IGOR) Spring Online Exhibition – 2020
  • Richeson75 International Art Competitions – Animals, Birds, & Wildlife Show – Online – 2019
  • International Society of Acrylic Painters All Members Online Exhibition – 2019
  • American Artists Professional League 91st Grand International Exhibition – New York – 2019
  • Bold Brush Painting Competition – 2019
  • Federation of Canadian Artists AIRE Online Exhibition – 2019
  • Masterpieces in Miniature – Sherwood Park Alberta – 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Artists for Conservation – Vancouver, BC – 2019, 2020, 2021
  • Art Renewal Centre Salon Show – 2019
  • Richeson75 International Art Competitions – Animals, Birds, & Wildlife Show Online – 2018
  • International Society of Acrylic Painters – All Member Online Show – 2018
  • American Artists Professional League 90th Grand International Exhibition – New York – 2018
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – Wildlife Exhibition – Vancouver BC – May 1-13, 2018
  • Discovery Art show – Lloydminster AB/SK – 2018
  • Artists for Conservation – Annual Exhibition – Vancouver – September 2018
  • Artists For conservation – Traveling Exhibition – China – 2017/2018
  • American Women Artists – Full Sun: American Women Illuminate the Haggin Museum – Aug-Sept. 2018
  • Artists for Conservation – Van Dusen Botanical Gardens, Vancouver BC – 2018, 2017
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) – Best of America – Castle Gallery, Fort Wayne, IN – 2017
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) – Small Works Show – Cathy Kline Gallery, Parkville MO – 2017
  • Vermilion Public Library – 2017
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painter’s Society (NOAPS) – Best of America Exhibition – Orleans MA – 2016
  • The American Artists Professional League – Members Only Online Portrait Theme Show (portraits, figure, animal) – 2016
  • Artists for Conservation – Grouse Mountain Resort (Vancouver BC) – 2016
  • International Society of Acrylic Painters (ISAP) -7th Annual Open Online Exhibition – 2017, 2016
  • Imago Mundi – Oh West Canada! Contemporary Artists from Western Canada Show & Tour– Venice Italy – 2015
  • Artists for Conservation – Grouse Mountain Resort (Vancouver BC) – 2015
  • American Artists Professional League – 87th Grand National Exhibition – New York NY – 2015
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) Fall International Online Exhibit – 2016, 2015
  • WAOW Inc – 45th National Exhibition – Tucson Desert Art Museum AZ – 2015
  • American Women Artists – Spring Online Juried Show – 2015
  • The International Society of Acrylic Painters – 6th Annual International Open Online Show – 2015
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painter’s Society (NOAPS) – Fall Online International Exhibition – (2014)
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painter’s Society (NOAPS) – Best of America Exhibition – Bolivar MO – (2014)
  • Artists for Conservation – Grouse Mountain Resort (Vancouver BC) – 2014
  • American Artists Professional League – 86th Grand National Exhibition – Salmagundi Club New York – Nov.9-21 2014
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – Scenes of Western Canada Show – Federation Gallery (Vancouver BC) October 2014
  • NOAP’s – Spring Online Show –2017, 2014
  • WAOW – Online WAOW goes Wild Show – Sept. 2014-Nov. 2014
  • Great Summer Show – Picture This Gallery (Sherwood Park Alberta) 2014
  • Masterpieces in Miniature, Picture This Gallery (Sherwood Park AB) 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011
  • Great Fall Show – Picture This Gallery (Sherwood Park Alberta) 2013
  • Catharine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club – 117th Annual Open Exhibition (New York) 2013
  • American Artists Professional League – Members Summer Theme Show (New York) 2013
  • Artists for Conservation (Vancouver BC) 2013, 2012, 2011
  • National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) – Best of America Exhibit 2013
  • National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society (NOAPS) – Online Exhibition 2013
  • Arabella Magazine – Great Canadian Landscape Exhibition – 2013
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – Small Smaller Smallest Show (Vancouver BC) 2011
  • The American Artists Professional League Grand National Exhibition (New York) 2011, 2010
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Fine Art Show (Lloydminster AB/SK) – 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
  • Calgary Stampede Western Showcase (2006, 2005, 2004)
  • Federation of Canadian Artists (Vancouver, BC) Water media Show (2001)
  • Federation of Canadian Artists Show (Now SWCA of Edmonton)
  • Hudson Valley New York Wildlife Art Show (1998)
  • Salmagundi Club New York International Show (1997, 1998)
  • Canadian Wildlife Habitat Art Show (1993 through to 2000)
  • Canadian Wildlife Habitat Cross Country Show (1993)
  • ACACA Art Show (1992, 1993, 1994)

Awards & Honours:

  • Women Artist of the West – 54th National Exhibition – Dreamweavers – Honourable Mention Acrylic – 2024
  • Artists For Conservation 2023 – Western Art Collectors Magazine – Editors Choice Award -2023
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife – Finalist – 2023
  • Art Room Gallery – International Art Exhibition “Waters” Award of Merit for Both paintings – 2023
  • Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery – Special Merit 2023
  • Light Space & Time Online Art Gallery – Top 20 Artwork 2023
  • Art Room Gallery – Award of Merit for Two of my paintings – 2023
  • Art Room Gallery – Honourable mention for both Entries – 2023
  • SCA 54th Open International Exhibition – Duggan Canadian Landscape Award – 2022
  • David Sheppard Foundation – Wildlife Artist of the Year Finalist 2022
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife – Finalist 2021
  • Richeson75 – Animal, Birds & Wildlife – Selected as a Meritorious 2021
  • Richeson75 – Landscapes, Seascapes & Architecture – Finalist 2021
  • IGOR – International Guild of Realism Spring Salon Online Exhibition – Finalist – 2020
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife – selected as a Finalist – 2019
  • Art Renewal Centre – 14th International ARC Salon Exhibition – Finalist – 2019
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife – Selected as a Finalist – 2018
  • Richeson75 – Animals, Birds & Wildlife – Selected as a Meritorious – 2018
  • The International Society of Acrylic Painters – 5th place award in Online International Open Show – 2017
  • Was made a Signature member of the (NOAPS) National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society – 2016
  • The International Society of Acrylic Painters – Holbein Art Materials Award – 2015
  • Royal Canadian Mint – Designed a $20 Specialty coin – 2015
  • Arts Without Borders – 2nd Place Wildlife/Animal – 2015
  • Was made a fellow of the (AAPL) American Artists Professional League – 2014
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society – International Fall Online Exhibition Award of Excellence – 2014
  • National Oil & Acrylic Painters Society – Best of America Exhibition Award of Merit – 2014
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Art Show – People’s Choice Award – 2014
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Art Show – 3rd place Animal/wildlife
  • American Artists Professional League – 1st Place Landscape – Members Summer Theme Show (2013)
  • Arabella Great Canadian Landscape Competition – Semi Finalist – (2013)
  • Wildscape Art Magazine – Runner up for Wildlife (2012)
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Show – 1st Animal/ Wildlife (2012, 2011)
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Art Show – Best of Show, 1st Floral/Botanical, 2nd Animal/Wildlife, 3rd Animal/Wildlife, 2nd & 3rd runner up for People’s Choice Award (2010)
  • Canadian Brushstrokes Online Art Magazine – Landscape Competition Finalist (2009)
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Art Show – 2nd Place Still life, Honourable Mention Wildlife (2008)
  • Arts Without Borders Juried Art Show – 1st Place Still life (2007)
  • Federation of Canadian Artists – Water Media Exhibition – Vancouver – Rose Zivot SFCA Award (2001)
  • Annual Vermilion Art Show – People’s Choice Award (1993)
  • ACACA – Northern Zone – Award of Merit (1992)

Publications:

  • International Artists Magazine #93 – October /November 2013 – Demonstration on Creating Depth Article

Guild and Artist Organizations