Wendy Westlake  was born in Washington state.  She earned an Associated degree in Applied Art from Pima College in Tuscon AZ, where she studied a wide range of media including oils, print making and ceramics.  Upon moving back to MN in 1992, Wendy connected with the watercolor community in the Twin Cities area. She became a Board Member of the Minnesota Watercolor Society in 2012 eventually becoming MNWS President from 2014-2016. 

A desire to work on a larger scale than paper would allow pulled Wendy back to her earlier training with acrylic and oils.  She works in her studio in Zumbrota, MN. Her work is influenced by her background in watercolor as well as the tradition of American Abstract Expressionism.