Arty farty gal in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Art school drop out, watercolorist. Painting with metastatic breast cancer.
I Hate Artist Statements

I love painting. Though I could never knuckle down and make a life as a full time artist, I have returned to painting many times over the years.
Currently, my subjects are relaxed landscapes, local waterways, and expressive trees using watercolor on heavy watercolor paper. A majority of my watercolor paintings in 2023 & 2024 are images of trees. The cropped and simplified views of their branches executed in bold color combinations are a joy to create. I have no idea why the beautiful branch shapes are so captivating to me, but I’m sure it’s deeply psychological.
I began using watercolor a few years ago for its convenience in a house with young children. Then I got lost in stacks of watercolor technique books and soon I had to have a tube of every gorgeous, luminous color ever made. Sorry kids, this is my studio room now.
I especially enjoy when a picture I created touches someone else—opening a memory, a feeling or even just an affection for the colors. Enjoy!
-Kate
​
ps You can contact me by email at katemikkelsen@gmail.com or use this form.