About

Kia ora, I’m Katie!

I grew up in Church Bay, Banks Peninsula. My siblings and I were often off on an adventure up into the hills, down a gully or along the beach, where we had all the time in the world to play, build huts and be part of the landscape. I think I soaked up nature in my childhood and now all I want to do is paint it!

The first time I remember feeling excited about paint was when Mum took me for my school visit when I was 5. There were paint splatters on the floor, which I liked, but then Mrs A showed us how to mix paint on the big piece of paper on the floor. It was like magic watching the dark blue and the white turn into light blue. Oh, that jump of excitement in my stomach! I still get that feeling when I create something unexpected, see an inspiring artwork at a gallery, or, at my job when one of our clients makes something bold.

Throughout primary and secondary school, I was always making art and creative writing. After high school, I began to create from within, moving beyond the confines of the school curriculum. During my late teens & early 20s I was involved in youth groups and working in cafes, then at age 24 I decided to pursue something for myself before having kids. I studied at the Learning Connexion for 6 months and this was a great experience even though I was nauseous with pregnancy for most of it!

Today, I continue to make art while raising my kids and working as an art facilitator at MIX – Connecting, Creating, Living (which is a perfect job that combines my love for art and people). Trying to balance my passion with my responsibilities is hard sometimes but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m now 34 and live in Wainuiomata surrounded by beautiful bush, rivers and the coast where I’m a wife, a mum, a friend, a neighbour and, of course, an artist.

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