Wilma Schaffert - Artist

Wilma Schaffert B.A., K.W.S.
Kansas Watercolor Society Signature Member

Wilma Schaffert Wilma is a full-time, professional artist exhibiting in many one-person shows, including the Kansas Watercolor Society. She has won over 70 regional and national awards. Wilma has paintings in many galleries, public and private collections throughout the United States and in Paris. Seven are in the Scottish Rite Temple, commissioned by the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite. Chadron State College permanent collection has six. First National Bank also has one on display. She is one of only 200 signature members of the Kansas Watercolor Society, which is a competitive, juried exhibition of paintings in aqueous media by artists residing in Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, and Texas.

Previous Exhibitions Her work is displayed at Elaine's Art Gallery, Carnegie Art Center, and by invitation in art shows throughout the Midwest including the Kansas Watercolor Society. Additionally, she has exhibited in Kansas Wildlife Art Series Sternberg Museum of Natural History, Nebraska Arts Council Honors Show Governor's Mansion, Saratoga Platte Valley Festival of the Arts, Wyoming Two Shot Invitational Art Show, Old West Museum Western Spirit Art Show and Sale, Fort Robinson Western and Wildlife Art Show, Chadron State College Alumni Art Show, Nebraskaland Days Governor's Invitational Art Show, McCook Community College Six State Competitive 1992-1993, NPVAG Juried National Show, senior one-person exhibit, exhibited member of Visions 1988-1990, and exhibited member of NPVAG Five Show 1977-1978.

Credentials Wilma received her Bachelor of Arts degree at Chadron State College magna cum laude. She has attended workshops conducted by internationally known artist Jack Hines, NWS; Jessica Zemisky, PSA; Guy Coheleach, Dan Smith, Christopher Schink, NWS, WCWS, FCA; Miles Batt, AWS, NWS; Tony Van Hasselt, AWS; Judi Betts, AWS; Reynold Brown, Charles Cross, Claude Croney, AWS; William B. Schimmel, Rose Edin, MWS; Patsy Smith, NWS, KWS, NWO; Tony Couch, AAS, WW, MWS; Don Dernovich, NWS, KWS; Peter Lowe's Success Seminar and other prestigious instructors.

Awards, after 2000 Featured Artist in Nebraska Life article "Painting the Panhandle" March April 2004, Juried in Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum's Annual Western Spirit Art Show and Sale 2004, Chadron State College 2004 Juried Art Exhibition, Nebraska Cattleman's magazine cover September 2003, Juried honorable mention ANAC State Award 2003, Honorable mention 2003 Nebraska Habitat Stamp Contest, Nebraska Cattleman's magazine cover March 2003, Juried in Cheyenne Frontier Days Old West Museum's Annual Western Spirit Art Show and Sale 2003, Chadron State College 2003 Juried Art Exhibition two paintings, Finalist 2001 Kansas Wildlife Art Series Fort State University, Top 40 2002 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition, CAC Regional Second Place 2001, Finalist 2000 Kansas Wildlife Art Series Fort State University, Watercolor "Desire Creates Power" collection of Dr. Paul Johnsgard Professor Emeritus UNL.

Awards, 1990 - 2000 Nebraska Arts Council Honors Show Governor's Mansion 1999, Juried Certificate of Excellence ANAC State Award 1999, CAC Regional honorable mention 1999, BBAS Regional Certificate of Excellence 1999, Juried Grow Nebraska 1999, Nebraska Habitat Contest honorable mention 1998, CAC Regional third place 1998, Top 40 1997 Wyoming Conservation Stamp Art Competition, Grand Island Certificate of Merit Award 1997, CAC Regional honorable mention 1997, BBAS Regional Best of Show and Certificate of Excellence 1997, Gwen MacKenzie Fellowship 1996, NPVAG Five State Regional honorable mention 1996, CAC Regional Best of Show 1996, BBAS Regional Best of Show and Certificate of Excellence 1996, NPPD 1996 Calendar, two paintings; NPPD 1995 Calendar, Nebraska Habitat Contest honorable mention 1995, CAC Regional third place 1994, Juried Certificate of Excellence ANAC State Award 1993, second place Seven- State Regional Art Competition 1993, Nebraskaland Merit Award 1993, Finalist Nebraska Habitat Contest 1993, Kansas Watercolor Society 1993, Carnegie Arts Center Merchandise Award 1993, Illustrator "Faith Fun and Fantasy" by Frances 1990.

Awards, 1980 - 1990 T.J. Majors Art Exhibit 1989, Peru State College; NPVAG National Juried Certificate of Excellence 1980, 1983; NPVAG National Juried Honorable Mention 1984; Willow Tree Festival second place 1984; ANAC Juried State Award 1981, 1983, 1989 (400-500 entries); Nebraska State Fair Award 1986; Dakota Artist Guild National Art Competition 1985; NPVAG Five State Show Top General Award 1980.

Awards, 1970 - 1980 NPVAG Five State Show second place 1977; Grand National Mixed and Bag Contest Award 1978; Collectors Cachet Set Design for National Association of Postmasters of the United States.

Wilma's Thoughts My work is an expression of the emotions I feel towards nature. I enjoy being outdoors and capturing wildlife or anything on film. Observing, sketching and photographing wildlife in its habitat, I try to bring the viewer along with me capturing the moment, excitement and colors I see on location. The use of light, shadow and the tonal values enhanced by the atmosphere create the visual dimension for my work, which I want to portray. The way colors intermix with the creation of lost and found edges stimulate the mind and emotions, challenge the eye with conflict and contrast, and brings about tension between opposing elements forming the excitement of the unit.

Crucial to the creative process is the inner force and strength common to artistic expression. Working in nature is more than an occupation - it's an inspiration. I am always taken by the vibrant colors with which God has illuminated this world. As an artist, I imitate this splendor undisturbed. Mother nature is the greatest gift of all and must be protected for future generations.

My work has been a lifelong journey of experiences. We all have choices in life that we will make. Our power of choice today will determine the outcome tomorrow. I believe God gave us all the right stuff to succeed in life. How we choose to deal with it is our gift to God. I could have done anything; I took the path that God chose for me.

All material copyright © Wilma Schaffert. All rights are reserved. No part of any material on this website may be reproduced, copied, stored, or used otherwise without the prior written permission of Wilma Schaffert. Copyright text found on high-resolution images does not appear on the original artwork, prints, or cards.