Keeping Balanced Painting

Katie Willes is a self-taught artist, recently embracing her true creative nature. Her cheerful personality shines true in her art, with a joyful energy and bright, soft color. Her current work reflects on the inner child, inspiring the viewer to enjoy life in a childlike way. “ I paint with acrylics, and use other media, like oil pastel, pigment sticks, pencils, and crayon to make marks and add depth. I seek balance and flow in my work, with a variety of texture, line and color. I paint intuitively, and tap into that well of unconscious creativity that all children instinctively use, and we often lose access to as adults. I don’t start with a plan, but react to each stroke and mark, listening intently, each step creating the possibility of the next. I stop when I can’t stop smiling. Painting, for me, is an exploration of the spirit. I paint because I find parts of my soul that I never knew I had. “ Katie’s work is found in private collections across the country and in Canada.