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.


working on Surrender (see finished piece)

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	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...

working on Linger (see finished piece)

Painting 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 fussing.

It's as if I'm stealing moments - this makes me feel a bit greedy and a bit lucky that I can also share these paintings with other mothers.

So I've Heard: (thank you)

"I have to say, your paintings are breath-taking and the most beautiful I've ever seen! I have to view them over and over again, and I get both emotional and happy! I love your work. I got the beautiful paintings yesterday! And thank you so much for the cards! I'll frame them as well, 'cause they are just so... I'm just out of words! Thank you so much! I love your work, you're absolutely my favourite artist, no doubt."
K.H., Norway

"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

"My husband loves the painting almost as much as I do. It is hanging in our family room by our kitchen and I look right at it everytime we sit down to a meal together. It brings me great joy and was money well spent! You are exceptional and I am honored to have your work hanging in my home."
S.S., 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

"Thank you so much. I just want to say that I love your paintings. I know you probably hear that a lot, but not only do I think they are visually beautiful, they speak to me on a totally different level. I am a mom of two little boys, with a wonderful husband who works 50+ hours a week... Lately I feel like I have been beaten up. For a few weeks I have been noticeably different and even a little sad. I had been looking at some Etsy paintings of moms with babies and I instantly fell in love with your scenes. I have to let you know that looking at those little moments here and there made me remember that even if life is hectic and crazy, I have that, and I feel so lucky all over again. So what can I say, my smile is back and I can't wait to see the prints. Thanks again for the inspiration."
R.L., Miami, FL

"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

"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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