Biography

Painter and illustrator Katie Barnes shares her characters in surreal and fantastic worlds through various media. She strives to communicate a variety of emotions through her paintings and drawings to emphasize that all states of being are valid expressions of one’s humanity. Her whimsical style contrasts the sometimes melancholy subjects within her work to emphasize her belief that there is beauty in sadness or strife. Based in Rockwell, North Carolina, she takes inspiration from her family and friends who encourage her to create narratives within her pieces that her audience connects with on an intimate level. She strives to create characters that not only relate to inner struggles but teach viewers that self-love and kindness both hold imperative places in every person’s life.