Katie Haas is a painter based in Petaluma, California. Her work began at age five in San Francisco when her mother instructed her to draw a still life in attempt to keep her occupied. Her career as an artist has brought her an honors degree from Art Center College of Design, through commercial illustration as her kids were young, though portraiture once they were older, and finally to her current series. She has shown her recent works in galleries, stores and coffee shops throughout the Bay Area in addition to taking on various commissioned projects.
Her recent series of artworks combine acrylic and collage to explore the essence of the inner child. Whether the subject is real or imagined, each painting is inspired by the heart of the subject and the desire to create an honest, emotional resonance between portrait and viewer. I have always been attracted to, in love with, and in awe of children and the mysterious ways they stay with us as we grow older. The candor and directness of each subject opens a world within the portrait for the viewer to examine, thus allowing the viewer to examine the inner child of the him or herself. Upon discovering my father’s elementary school class photos from San Francisco in the 1930s, a plethora of children and their inner worlds came to light. Each unique frame is chosen then in part, inspires the unique character that comes to life within its walls.
Website: katiehaasartstudio.com
