Katie Wilkins lives in the Berkshire countryside. This setting is the inspiration for her work, Her work is which is primarily figurative oil paintings of animals close to her home.
From an early age Katie enjoyed art and this prompted her to take a foundation course at Northbrook College in Horsham, West Sussex.
During this course she experimented with a range of media and subject matter. She then moved on to the University of Plymouth to study for a degree in Fine Art.
During her time in Exeter, Katie worked hard to develop her figurative painting skills This often went against the advice of her tutors, who urged her to develop a more conceptual style. In 1996 she graduated with an honours degree.
Katie specialises in painting livestock. She makes sketches and takes photographs, then works from them in her studio.
She works in oils on thick boxed canvases which have several layers of gesso applied to them. When the gesso is dry, Katie carefully sands it until it develops a slightly shiny surface. This then provides the background to her work.