Katie m. Berggren - honest, emotional, motherhood-themed acrylic paintings and art cards - originals for purchase, gallery showings, art events, shop online, art references, portland oregon, vancouver washington, longview washington

Welcome!

A staple in my studio is my ipod. I find it interesting how fine art and music go hand in hand and I have a tendency to feel connected to musicians who sing about their lives, their love and their craft.

Art instantly bears its soul to the viewer, though allows you to experience more and more as time passes ~ music has a way of injecting the experience slowly, though often sets the tone instantly.

My time in my studio focuses on the ups and downs of motherhood and an art career - woven loosely with the lyrics and music of inspirational musicians such as Carbon Leaf, Mila Polevia, Gabriel Mann, Ana Nalick, Five For Fighting, KT Tunstall, and the Man in Black.


My all-time fave brush is a Bob Ross round foliage brush, given to me by my brother, and well used (by us both). This brush allows me to add warmth to skin with just a few strokes and swirls. My favorite paints: Golden brand, doesn't that Naples Yellow look creamy enough to taste?


My brush holder is a repurposed canister (I like to re-use!)	You won't find me creating without my trusty Kanteen!


...deep in process, notice the sketch pad near by...

	Writing is a very important part of the creative process for me. While painting, I take notes and record thoughts and ideas and bios for each painting. It's all about writing while experiencing the feeling, and not waiting until later when the words will be lost.


For my palette, I use a repurposed board. I can regularly gesso it to cover up color spots, allowing me to not wash or scrape the paints into the environment.

My water jar is a repurposed peanut butter jar - (a great brand of pb by the way), I like to re-use materials when I can.


My inspiration wall is ever-changing. I have a tendency to stick a variety of curious things here, including glass marbles, bits of curled wire and images from admired artists. Somewhere amongst, I even have an image from a Portland (Oregon) Rescue magazine - a homeless man thoroughly enjoying his free Thanksgiving dinner. The expression in the man's eyes as he looks at his next fork-full of food touched me and hinted at what I try to do with my paintings - grab raw, honest-to-goodness emotion. I do not feel like there is enough raw, real emotion out there, but that is a whole 'nother conversation. The lower left features an image of my Dad, I like to see him while I'm working, and imagine that he is looking down on me with pride - how I would have loved to show him my paintings...

See how I finished the above painting!

Painting in the evening helps me to deal with the knot in my throat - the knot that is proof that someday my babies will grow and fly - off on their own - no longer in need of my care and daily fussing.

I feel like I'm stealing moments that I could not otherwise retrieve - this makes me feel a bit greedy and a bit lucky - certainly blessed - that I can also share these paintings with other families.

So I've Heard: (thank you)

"Thank you, Katie. That which touches me so deeply with your paintings is the wonderful sense of color and emotion, your honesty and the vulnerability in each of your pieces of work."
M.H., Vancouver, WA

"I wanted to thank you so much for capturing our family so beautifully in our painting. We hung it on the wall as soon as I got home and I can’t stop staring at it. I had my family over that afternoon and everyone fell in love with it. Your card meant a lot to me and I shared it with the family so they could see all the special things hidden in our picture. You have an amazing talent and I look forward to seeing your new pieces."
S.W., Camas, WA

"I was immediately struck by your paintings ~ thanks for putting paint to canvas and making such beautiful representations of motherhood. You do incredible work!"
J.L., Ontario, Canada

''I wanted to share with you that your painting, Forgive, brought tears to my eyes just now. The humility of the mother's face/posture/the description below it... It's a beautiful painting! When I showed it to my husband he said, 'wow, that's heavy' (he hadn't read the description)."
S.B., San Fran, CA

"Katie, what a Gift you have. I am amazed at the inner beauty of each piece. Thank you for the warm smile in my heart, I truly appreciate that."
C.B., Vancouver, WA

"It was wonderful meeting you and your art is amazing, I can't stop staring at my new painting - every time I pass it when I walk down the hall - I love it!"
M.W., Vancouver, WA

"I'm so happy you have made your art available on the internet. I absolutely love its whimsical tenderness."
G.S., Phoenix, AZ

"Stillness & Motion is just soooo perfect. It does such an amazing job of capturing that feeling. Thanks for all you do. It is phenomenal."
T.G., Tracy, CA

"You have such a talent, Katie, and your work speaks right to the heart. I can almost feel my babies when I look at the picture of Give and Receive."
R.R., Vancouver, WA

“Dear Katie, thank you for creating such a beautiful tribute to life and beyond. Your original painting Choosing to Stay hangs perfectly in my place for all to see. It is such a great gift to be able to tell your story and add mine. Thank you for being such an inspiring artist that captured my heart and the souls of those who have passed on. May we always remember…”
D.M., Vancouver, WA

"I wanted to let you know that I find your paintings deeply comforting. I love them all - but Edge of the Bed is particularly poignant."
G.O., Alberta, Canada

"I could not wait to meet you after I saw your art online. I kept thinking to myself, how did she get into my head, my heart and my soul and know I was feeling all those different things? So many of your pieces represent a time in my life and show so many emotions to go along with."
A.L., Portland, OR

"I thought you might want to see how we hung the 3 paintings we purchased. I love how they look, and so does my husband!"
K.M., Vancouver, WA

"I admire your passion and commitment to your family. It is evident in your art."
D.P., Vancouver, WA

"Dear Katie, I believe in you, you are a very talented artist and I am glad I acquired on of your works. Choose Your Path will bring continuous joy to me and to others who come into our home."
A.W., Yacolt, WA

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