Katie Reiser is a contemporary artist whose work explores abstract gestural expression, spontaneity, and the interplay of colors and materials. Her distinct visual language is inspired by the repeating patterns and shapes she observes in the natural world and the effect of the elements and time on materials. Katie layers handmade and synthetic pigments and traditional and non traditional materials in her work including watercolor, oil pastel, hand ground mica dust, and stains made from coffee, dirt, plants, burnt material, and rusty metal. Working in this way helps her feel grounded in the here and now, exist in a space of intuitive feeling, and reminds her that change is constant, even when it doesn’t seem that way. She loves working in abstraction as it gives her the freedom to explore while allowing her audience to have their own unique experience with her art. As an art therapist and licensed professional counselor, Katie worked for a decade in therapeutic settings using art to help people express their emotions and understand their lived experiences. Her focus on exploring non traditional materials and applications reflects her belief that art is whatever the artist makes, an artist is whoever decides to be one, and art is for everyone.