Denise Walser-Kolar began her journey into botanical art in 2003, after receiving a botanical art class from her parents as a birthday gift. She has a degree in Graphic Design and Illustration from the College of Visual Arts in Saint Paul, Minnesota.
She received the Diane Bouchier Artist Award for Excellence in Botanical Art in 2015 and received a Silver-Gilt medal from the Royal Horticultural Society in 2011 for her paintings of the hazelnuts of Badgersett Research Farm. Her work is held in the permanent collection of the Hunt Institute for Botanical Documentation.
Denise has worked for the American Society of Botanical Artists (ASBA) as both Conference Coordinator and Executive Director. She now paints full-time and loves teaching people how to paint on vellum.
I have been a student of Denise Walser Kolar for about ten years, first through the Minnesota School of Botanical Art, and later through private tutoring and critiques. She remains the best botanical art instructor that I have had.
Denise's guidance regarding my painting has been accurate yet kind, enlightening and encouraging. Her ability to impart botanical art techniques is unparalleled.
It is rare to encounter someone who paints so exquisitely and imparts their knowledge with such lovely clarity. I have her to thank for any botanical art successes I have been fortunate to have.
Denise is humble, delightful and fun, all of which only add to the joy in learning from her. Have an incredible time in her class.
Denise is one of the most talented teachers I’ve come across. She is not only an artist but a wonderful teacher, and that is hard to find.
Denise is not only a great artist, she is a fantastic teacher. Her classes are fun and informative in every way. She is always available to help and answer questions. Her criticism is valid, helpful & productive. Lessons are well prepared and detail oriented.
I have taken many classes workshops with Denise Walser-Kolar over many years and each time I leave inspired and amazed at her remarkable talent for painting and exceptional talent for teaching. Her paintings alone are a huge inspiration, but she also has the unique ability to explain and demonstrate her techniques of color mixing, dry brush application, and ease of working on velum, and composition that make it all understandable.
