Kate Elkins creates large mixed media works rooted in her lifelong love of drawing. Her mostly monochromatic pieces are made in series of five to ten that examine a single idea, often inspired by her memories of growing up in a large family in rural Michigan. She investigates the distance between childhood and adulthood, reminding us that earlier versions of ourselves continue to influence who we are today.

A recent series of portraits questions whether wearing a uniform can change who we are, influencing both how we see ourselves and how others see us.

In another series, Kate combined printmaking and drawing to create a new kind of botanical illustration. Prompted by the loss of family members to cancer and a desire to reconnect with the values of self-sufficiency, this series contrasts local, sustainable food sources with the environmental consequences of industrial agriculture. Her use of plexiglass, recycled paper, ink, and layered charcoal emphasizes how generational knowledge has been replaced by convenience-driven capitalistic practices.

Kate received her BFA in Painting from the Savannah College of Art and Design and her MA in Art Education from the Corcoran College of Art. She is Chair of the Visual Arts Department at St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes School in Alexandria, Virginia, where she teaches 2D visual arts and champions a curriculum that encourages voice, inquiry, and thoughtful risk-taking.

Kate works out of a studio designed by her husband, an architect, in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. When she’s not drawing or teaching, she’s often seeing live music, visiting galleries, tending bees, or sketching roadside scenes on family trips. Her life and art are deeply interwoven, centered around creativity, curiosity, and community.