artist profile

From the observations of his earliest teachers to his family and friends, it was always a foregone conclusion that Steve would pursue visual arts. He received a BFA degree in painting from Ohio University and later an Associate degree in Commercial Art/Advertising.

In the late 70s, while continuing to paint, Kuhlman began his career in advertising as an art director for a small Louisville, Kentucky advertising agency. As the agency grew and expanded, he held positions in creative services and management. During his thirty years in the business—and ultimately part ownership—the agency grew from a small local firm to a highly regarded creative agency serving regional and national clients.

Artists who influenced Kuhlman’s work include Andrew Wyeth, with his restrained color palette and attention to detail; Richard Diebenkorn, with his abstract compositions in the “Ocean Park” series; as well as realist painters from the late 60s and early 70s. Closer to home, Kuhlman studied with and was inspired by Homer Hacker, a noted watercolorist and AWS member.

Kuhlman returned full time to his fine arts roots a few years ago with the opening of his studio in downtown Louisville, where he regularly spends five days a week working in his preferred medium of watercolor.

Kuhlman’s highly awarded work has appeared in regional and national exhibitions and is held in private and corporate collections.

COLLECTIONS:

Various corporate and private collections.

RECEnT AWARDS:

MOWS International Exhibition
Second Place Award, 2023

Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous USA
Silver Award, 2021

Kentucky Watercolor Society AquaVenture
First Place Award, 2021

Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous USA
Kentucky Signature Artist Award, 2020

Kentucky Watercolor Society AquaVenture
First Place Award, 2020

Transparent Watercolor Society of America
Edgar A. Whitney Memorial Award, 2019

American Watercolor Society
Joan Rothermel Memorial Award, 2018

MOWS International Exhibition, Quingdao, China
John Singer Sargent Award, 2018

Kentucky Watercolor Society
Claudia M. George Memorial Award, 2017
Kentucky Artist Award, 2016

RECENT Juried Exhibitions:

Transparent Watercolor Society of America 47th Annual Exhibition 2023

MOWS International Exhibition 2023

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 44th Annual International Exhibition 2022

Kentucky Watercolor Society Aqueous USA 2021

National Watercolor Society Members Exhibition 2021

National Watercolor Society 101st International Open Exhibition 2021

Pittsburgh Watercolor Society Aqueous Open 2020

Pennsylvania Watercolor Society 42nd Annual International Exhibition 2020

National Watercolor Society 50 Stars Exhibition 2020

National Watercolor Society 100th Annual International Open Exhibition 2020

MOWS International Exhibition, Barcelona, Spain 2020

National Watercolor Society 99th Annual International Open Exhibition 2019

39th San Diego Watercolor Society International Exhibition 2019

Transparent Watercolor Society of America 43rd Annual Exhibition 2019

AFFILIATIONS &
MEMBERSHIPS:

National Watercolor Society
Signature Member 2019

American Watercolor Society
Signature Member 2018

Missouri Watercolor Society
Signature Member 2018

Kentucky Watercolor Society
Signature Member 2017

Transparent Watercolor Society of America

Steve is represented by Louisville’s Pyro Gallery in Louisville, Kentucky. Pyro represents select professionals working in diverse styles and mediums.