About the Artist

After getting my education and working for eight years as a research chemist, I had an opportunity to get back properly into painting in 2010 and have been dedicated to just artwork since then. I obtained a 2 year Diploma in Painting and Printmaking from Heatherley School of Fine Art, London, in July 2012, and have also attended a selection of courses and workshops since that.

I have been interested in quite a large variety of painting media and subjects but generally nature, plants and animals seem to suit me the best. The past artists that have influenced my style and subject matter the most are Salvador Dali (1904-1989, painting technique), and Ferdinand von Wright (1822-1906, wildlife art), whose work I admired much before taking up painting in a serious way myself. Of contemporary artists, Claire Dalby has had the biggest influence on my botanical illustration technique and I also admire the work of Shirley Felts.

My paintings can currently be seen in the following public locations:

• Royal Hospital for Sick Children, Yorkhill, Glasgow, Cardiology Unit

• University of St Andrews, School of Chemistry

  • Jack of Diamonds club external walls, Bristol

Previous locations with my work on show:

• • St Andrews Holy Trinity Church Hall, 2011-2013

  • Heatherley School of Fine Art, July 2011 and July 2012

  • St Andrews Botanic Garden, Gatehouse, August 2012

  • The Bungo, Glasgow, May 2013

  • St Andrews Town Hall, 14 and 29 September 2013

  • St Andrews Art Club summer shows 2013-2016

  • The Bell-Pettigrew Museum, St Andrews, 10 April 2014 (Part of the "On the Rocks" student art festival)

  • St Andrews Preservation Trust Museum, 19 April-4 May 2014, and additionally the St Andrew's Day art and craft fairs 2014, 2015

  • Community Hospital, St Andrews, 2014-2015

  • half of a two woman show in St Andrews August 2016

Illustrated books available on Amazon:

• • The Giraffe Who Couldn't Laugh (ebook written by Rob Horlock)

  • 100 Really funny jokes (ebook by Rob Horlock)

  • My Friend Brownie (ebook written by Amy Clark)

  • Freddy's adventures (written by Heidi Mumford)

    1. The Chihuahua Who Couldn't Play: paperback and ebook.

       1. 1. Freddy and the Circus: paperback and ebook.

          2. Freddy and The Christmas Wish: paperback and ebook.

  • Two Brothers (ebook and paperback, written by Edwin Daniels)

  • Nellie's Walk (paperback, written by Charlotte Stiverson)

Freelancing at People Per Hour: pph.me/katiaitken

Artwork converted to scarf designs at VIDA