The KmBerggren Studio

 

Recent Interview: CanvasRebel

Recent Interview: Go Solo

 

 

I am in my studio EVERY day. The doors are almost always open, and I'm pulled in by the paintings, the houseplants, the journal and drawing pen, the paintings that await me. Also, my to-do lists :) I am still a pencil/pen on paper kind of person. Where others have moved to digital notes and virtual calendars... I have not. I need the feel of the pencil across the paper, the ink pen sketching up a line drawing.

 

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.    

 

 

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 Noah Kahan, Fink, 21 Pilots, Vance Joy, Five For Fighting, Train, Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and Johnny Cash.

 

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. Listening to Taylor Swift's Folklore album was a catalyst for me while working on my recent graphic novel A Silent Story. When everything felt 'too heart-aching' or as if I might fail, I'd turn on that album and know that I wasn't alone.

 

 

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 daily care and fussing.

 

It’s as if I’m stealing moments ~ and this makes me feel a bit greedy and a bit lucky. Lucky that I can also share these paintings with other families. Grateful for the messages I receive that tell me the paintings are out doing their job: touching hearts, bringing calm, encouraging mothers and reminding children how absolutely precious they are. 

 

 

Be embraced by the vulnerable loveliness of mother & child...

Grab your free copy of Katie's art ebook featuring 85 of her paintings. 

   

A personal note from Katie m. Berggren

When you shop with me, you are buying direct from the artist. I am a wife and a mother of two sons in the USA. I create my sentimental mother and child paintings one by one in my studio, and sell them direct to my many collectors around the globe.

On this website, you may purchase original mother and child paintings, art reproduction prints for wall decor, and hand-made glass art jewelry, directly from my studio.

I am honored to have sold over 1800 original paintings, so far, and to have my artwork in homes in over 80 countries. Want to see the global map? It's pretty cool.

 

 

Growing up as the youngest of 4 children, I relished time and space to explore through writing, drawing and people-watching. My sister and my brothers and I spent hours drawing together, making up stories, games and characters, filming 'movies', and writing stories based on prompt words.

 

We grew up way out in the 'sticks', with only a couple tv channels, and lots of space to play and get dirty. It was wonderful. To this day, while out on a hike in the country, certain stretches of gravel and grass dappled with sunshine and paired with crisp fresh air, will whisk me back to being a kid; tearing through fields in grubby jeans and with sticker bush burrs clinging to my hair and sweatshirt. Ah, a good life.

 

 

As I grew, I was interested in the dynamic relationships between the people around me; family members, strangers. I later narrowed that focus, after becoming a mother, to wallowing in the sweetness between mothers and their children. I still have to be reminded by my family to 'not stare' when we are out in public. Although I'm much more covert about it these days.

 

 

 

As a mostly self-taught painter, I started my first business in high school when I launched a pencil-portrait business. Graphic design and illustration took me to Central Washington University and after creating and selling art while also owning a graphic design business for 6 years, I chose to focus exclusively on painting in 2008.

 

Each day I strive to balance being a loving mother and a good businesswoman, while capturing intimate moments of motherhood in paint, with whimsical compositions and soothing colors. I do NOT always find balance :)

 

 

There is a daily conflict for a mother. For me it is a challenge that reawakens every morning as I balance my desire to be a patient, graceful mother and at the same time fulfill an instinctive urge to bring forth the creations of my soul and realize my dreams.

 

Being an artist who works from a home studio is also, perhaps most importantly, the way I model to my children the value of following their dreams and exploring their gifts.

 

Regardless what life throws our way, these gentle and timeless moments are captured for all eternity. May these loving celebrations of motherhood inspire you, give you hope, bring you peace, and reassure you that good things are always possible.

 

  

You can always contact me with any questions at Katie@KmBerggren.com.

(please note that is "KM" not "KIM" :)