Katie’s Story
from then to now
Born in Northern Utah in 1984, Katie J. Liddiard demonstrated a passion for drawing and painting from an early age. Dreaming of one day seeing her works in galleries and museums, she embarked on a journey to master her craft.
Following her graduation from Viewmont High School in 2003, Katie attended Snow College in Ephraim, Utah, initially planning a traditional academic path. However, her artistic aspirations took a pivotal turn when she discovered the rigorous, classical training offered by prestigious art academies worldwide. Captivated by the prospect of learning to paint and draw in the tradition of the great masters she admired, Katie's path was set.
In 2006, Katie travelled to Florence, Italy, to study at the renowned Florence Academy of Art (FAA). Immersed in a community of like-minded artists, she found a profound sense of belonging. Despite her promising development, financial hurdles forced an early return to Utah. Yet, this setback paved the way for new opportunities. In 2008, she joined the newly opened Masters Academy of Art.
After five transformative years of study, Katie graduated in 2014 and subsequently served as the Assistant Director of the academy until 2018. Choosing to focus solely on her art, she departed to cultivate her practice further.
Today, Katie creates from her home studio in Salem, Utah, where she lives with her husband and two children. Her work continues to explore the themes of beauty and tranquility, capturing the subtle interplay of light and nature that characterizes her distinct style.
philosophy
Flora and fauna profoundly influence Katie's artistic journey, forming the central theme across her portfolio. She delights in capturing the seasonal bounty, often foraging within her local environment to find inspiration for her next subjects. With a keen eye for the often overlooked, Katie cherishes the opportunity to study small, seemingly mundane scenes alongside her larger, more structured compositions. In each piece, she seeks to unveil the divine and the transcendent hidden within the ordinary, inviting viewers to find depth and beauty in the everyday.
“Beauty is vanishing from our world because we live as though it did not matter.”
Katie cherishes the moments of peace and quiet in her daily life, a theme that deeply resonates throughout her paintings. She is passionate about crafting harmonious color palettes and designs, drawing inspiration directly from the subjects she chooses. Her work continually echoes the influences of great masters like Emile Friant, Henri Fantin-Latour, Jules Bastien-Lepage, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Emil Carlsen, among others. These historic figures not only inspire her but also guide her exploration of balance and beauty in her art.
awards
2021
Third Place, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Works Exhibition
Bronze Medal Award, Associate/Signature Division, Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2020
Third Place, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Fall International Online Exhibition
First Place, BoldBrush Painting Competition, September
Award of Merit, National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Works Exhibition
2019
Emerging Artist Finalist, Art Muse Contest, September
Silver Medal Award, Associate/Signature Division, Oil Painters of America National Exhibition
2018
Emerging Artist Finalist, Art Muse Contest, December
Emerging Artist Winner, Art Muse Contest, February
2015
Hudson River Fellowship Attendee, Jackson, NH, US
John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship
2014
Hudson River Fellowship Attendee, Jackson, NH, US
2013
Painting of the Year, Masters Academy of Art
Alpine Fellowship Attendee, Lavey Village, Switzerland
2012
Art Renewal Center Annual Scholarship Competition, Third Place
2011
Art Renewal Center Annual Scholarship Competition, Third Place
shows/ exhibitions
2021
Five and Under Group Exhibition, Arcadia Contemporary, New York, NY, US
Oil Painters of America Salon Exhibition of Traditional Oils, Quinlan Visual Arts Center, Gainesville, GA, US
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Works Exhibition, Principle Gallery, Charleston, SC, US
Oil Painters of America 30th Annual National Juried Exhibition, California Center for the Arts, Escondido, CA, US
2020
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Fall 2020 International Online Exhibition
Plein Air Exhibit, Sugarlift Gallery, New York, NY, US
Oil Painters of America Western Regional Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George, UT, US
Oil Painters of America Virtual Salon Exhibition of Traditional Oils
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Spring International Online Exhibition
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Small Works Exhibition, McBride Gallery, Annapolis, MD, US
2019
National Oil and Acrylic Painters Society Best of America Exhibition, Montgomery Lee Gallery, Park City, UT, US
Oil Painters of America 28th Annual National Juried Exhibition, Illume Gallery, St. George, UT, US
2018
Certain Women, Anthony's Antiques, Salt Lake City, UT, US
Spring Salon, Springville Museum of Art, Springville, UT, US
2017
Changing Seasons from Winter to Spring, Southern Utah University, Cedar City, UT, US
2016
Zion Art Society Show, Anthony's Antiques, Salt Lake City, UT, US
2014
Small Works 2014, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA, US
A Treasure Trove of Real Art, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
Celebrating the Portrait as Timeless Art, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
2013
A Treasure Trove of Small Things, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
Women Painting Women: A Room of One's Own, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
Celebrating Form: Figurative Art and Sculpture, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
Spring Still Life Invitational, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA, US
Ordinary Objects: Extraordinary Still Lifes, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
Celebrating Form: Figurative Art and Sculpture, Haynes Gallery, Nashville, TN, US
2012
Annual Brigham Young University Faculty Show, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, US
2011
Affordable Works Show, Principle Gallery, Alexandria, VA, US
Third Annual Drawing Event, Marshall-LeKae Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, US
Student and Faculty Fund-raising Show, Center for Academic Study and Naturalist Painting,
Springville, UT, US
Decade SCVA Alumni Exhibition, Snow College Art Gallery, Ephriam, UT, US
2010
CAS First Anniversary Show, Coleman Studios, Provo, UT, US
publications
American Art Collector Magazine, March 2020
Southwest Art Magazine, December 2019