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Katie Smith, working under the alias Katie Bute, is an artist and textile designer based in Zurich, Switzerland.
She seamlessly weaves together vibrant hues and playful colour, meticulously balanced with a dedicated commitment to realism. Her specialisation in the dynamic medium of watercolour is a source of joy as it allows Katie to tap into its inherent fluidity and provides boundless creative potential. This medium grants her the opportunity to infuse her work with nuanced layers, carefully select from a rich spectrum of colours and gently remove pigments from paper to enhance light and transparency, creating a captivating interplay that breathes life into every piece.
Here we chat with Katie about her journey so far..
Can you tell us your backstory and how you got into the art world?
My love for drawing and painting started at a young age, with a deep fascination for felt drawings! My real passion, however, blossomed when my family moved to the Isle of Bute in Scotland. It was there, in school, that I developed a keen interest in painting and illustration. I pursued this passion further at Heriot-Watt University, formerly the Scottish College of Textiles, where I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Textile Design, gaining experience in woven and knitted textiles before specialising in printed textiles.
After many years of freelancing, I moved to Madrid, Spain, in 2016. I quickly established myself in the city’s galleries and exhibitions, as well as across wider Spain and Europe.
In 2019, I relocated with my family to Zurich, Switzerland, where I continue to paint and present my work in this vibrant art market in galleries and online.
How would you describe your signature style and technique?
My signature style weaves together vibrant hues and playful colours, balanced with a commitment to realism. Painting in watercolour, I revel in the fluidity and limitless creative potential this medium offers. I enjoy the process of building up transparent watercolour layers carefully chosen and close to subject matter before gently removing pigment from the paper to to create a spectrum of colour that plays with light and transparency.
My work focuses on the natural, organic world. I exaggerate the colour in my work to give it a fantastical quality, yet I remain true to the essence of the subject matter. This approach allows me to create vivid, imaginative pieces that still reflect the beauty and intricacies of the natural world.
Can you tell us about your latest work? Where did you find inspiration and what is the story behind it?
My latest work is in response to Ocean Awareness Month, I am creating a small series of watercolour pieces focusing on ocean creatures with a portion of every sale will go straight to supporting Ocean Awareness. It is to support raising awareness for our world oceans as well as celebrating their beauty!
The artwork focuses on vibrant colours and lots of dynamic movement but following a recent vacation to Japan I plan to include some nods to my travels. I fell in love with the elegant patterns of Japanese porcelain and fabric, and you’ll see hints of these in my ocean-themed pieces.
It’s a twist, blending these defined patterns with my usual free-flowing style, but I think it adding some elements of decoupage using some of the beautiful papers I collected during my travels could add a beautiful and interesting element in combination with small touches of gold inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi.
What is the best advice you received as an artist?
In my final year at university, an external project leader remarked that I should have been an illustrator, suggesting that textiles might not have been the most obvious choice for my style or eye. However, he encouraged me to be confident, bold and stand by my decisions, as this would set me apart from others.
His words have stayed with me, inspiring me to embrace and confidently pursue my artistic vision.
View Katie Bute’s portfolio work here.
Shop Katie Bute’s art here.
Follow Katie on Instagram: @katiebute_art
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