Katy grew up in Southern California where she learned how to surf cold waves, sit patiently in freeway traffic, and wield a paintbrush. She has a BFA and MFA in Illustration and is a professional content creator and contemplator of God and (human) nature. 

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Katy's career began with exhibiting oil paintings in galleries. The whimsical narratives in her pop surrealist paintings led her into the children's book industry, where she was represented by the CAT Agency for 7 years. Her interests and work have continued to evolve, leading her to interpretive design and illustration for museums, nature centers, and parks. 

 

In addition to working as a professional artist, Katy has taught at the college level for over a decade. She was a full-time professor of Illustration at Ringling College of Art and Design, where she served as Interim Co-Chair for three semester and taught abroad in Italy. She now serves as Head of Illustration at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design in Colorado. 

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Katy's love for art and the natural world, combined with her experience as an educator, has influenced her aesthetic and career. She has an imaginative, playful yet reverent approach to her subjects. Her favorite thing about being an artist is visually exploring concepts through symbolism and storytelling.  Sharing her ideas and discoveries with others is the greatest of all rewards. 

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If you would like to hire Katy for a project, get in touch by emailing her at katybetzstudio@gmail.com

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