Commissions are now open! Click here to view

Original Artwork and Prints

The Nearby Wild

The neighbors who were here

The Nearby Wild is my first solo exhibition ever.

It celebrates the everyday animals found in my Southern Appalachian home of north Georgia. These animals are often seen as pests, but really, they were here first. They're part of what makes this place wonderful and mysterious, and both welcoming and frightening.

You can see The Nearby Wild starting on September 12 at the Farrington Smith Gallery in New Orleans.

The Nearby Wild will be on pre-sale September 1 - September 7.

Would you like to be notified by email?

(people on my email list will get first-dibs and a discount during the pre-sale!)

Hi, I'm Kate!

I love my family, tacos, and outdoor music festivals.

I love color, drawing, and painting. And I love to get other people creating.

I love to learn and I love a good pair of flip-flops.

Artist Statement

I've been drawing and painting since I was old enough to hold a crayon. For me, art is more than just a hobby or a profession - it's a way of seeing the world.

My latest work explores the natural beauty of the southern Appalachian mountains, from the vibrant colors of the flora and fauna to the wild textures of the landscape. I'm constantly inspired by the rich palette that nature provides, and I love experimenting with different color combinations to create a sense of depth and movement in my paintings.

My style is painterly and expressive, with visible brushstrokes and layered colors that invite the viewer to explore and engage with the canvas. In most of my work, I paint an acrylic underpainting with oil colors on top. I find a lot of joy in the movement of spreading the paint itself.

Looking back, I realize that my love of art began at a very young age. I remember drawing robins and cardinals in kindergarten and feeling a sense of pride and satisfaction when I realized that not all my classmates could or even wanted to draw. Right then,  I knew then that creating wasn't just something I enjoyed, it was an essential part of who I was.

As an artist, my goal is to share that sense of wonder and appreciation of nature with others. I want to show people the beauty of the common things on this earth, and to help them see the world in a new and inspiring way.

Contact me!


© 2026, Kate Townley Smith