Kay Zetlmaier has an extensive education in art. As an undergraduate art major at Pasadena City College and Cal State University Long Beach, she earned her BA and California Secondary Teaching Credential in 1972, and her MA degree in humanities (concentration in painting) from Cal State University, Dominguez Hills in 2006.

Zetlmaier’s work migrated from painting landscapes and seascapes en plein air to painting in her studio using oil and cold wax in a more abstract style.

Just returning from a five-month painting sojourn in Mexico, Kay painted a series inspired by the structures and culture of colonial San Miguel de Allende. “Such a rich environment of colonialism, colorful surroundings, and vibrant culture. I never run out of ideas to develop into artwork.”

After retiring from thirty years of teaching secondary school art in Ventura County, Kay transitioned into art at a professional level. She also co-curates exhibitions at the D.A. Davidson Companies Gallery (Ventura), bringing in many artists from around the county. She was also co-director of the Ventura County Youth Art Exhibit for Scholarship, sponsored by D.A. Davidson Companies.

She has shown her work at Forest & Ocean Gallery (Laguna Beach), Santa Paula Art Museum, and 10 West Gallery, Santa Barbara.