Kathi Wahl

Teacher

Kathi Wahl is a native Californian who spent her young childhood living between the east and west coast of the United States as her father’s employer was contracted by the United States Navy. Her family finally settled down in Southern California in 1969 in Orange County in a what was then the ‘small town’ of Brea. She now lives in the city of Orange.

Kathi received her Associates in Art Degree in Art from Fullerton College. She went on to California State University Fullerton to receive her Bachelor’s in Arts Degree, emphasizing in Illustration.

Kathi has always been an artist. As a child she loved drawing and painting and studying all she could about artists. Her favorite subjects were horses, birds and animals of all kinds. In high school she was one of three students chosen to attend a high school art program at the prestigious Cal Arts.

Kathi has been an art teacher for over 30 years instructing adults and children including those with special needs. She has taught private lessons, community classes, worked in arts education at local museums as well as being a paint and sip instructor.

As a freelance artist Kathi has been commissioned to create various works of art including paintings of various subjects, portraits, pet portraits and illustrations for many clients and groups as well as illustrations for books and publications.

Her favorite art medium is pen and ink. A medium she loved the first time she took quill pen to paper in a high school art assignment. 

As an art teacher Kathi strives to teach others to ‘see like an artist’ and to make creating art a positive and joyful experience.

Kathi’s other passion is serving others as a volunteer with her therapy dog. Something she has done since 1996. She and her current dog Monty are proud to be part of LAX PUPS therapy dogs who visit and comfort travelers and workers at one of the world’s busiest airports. They also volunteer at a local library to encourage children to read and visit healthcare and assisted living facilities. One of Kathi’s favorite therapy dog events is when she leads a class that teaches children to draw dogs using therapy dogs as the models. 

She also evaluates and mentors prospective therapy dog teams.