Today we’d like to introduce you to Kate Ferrell.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My path to becoming a working artist has been anything but direct. Creativity has always been part of me—from winning a childhood coloring contest (and cherishing the candy prize) to choosing dance classes and art camps over soccer or basketball. In high school and college, I immersed myself in dance, art history, and visual art courses, where time seemed to stand still. Although I earned enough credits to major in art, I chose another path, uncertain of where art could lead.
After earning my master’s in social work and dedicating years to career and family, my art practice quietly slipped into the background. Yet the pull of creativity never left me, and eventually I felt called to return to painting, reconnecting with a part of myself I had set aside. Encouraged by a friend, I shared my work publicly, and the positive response inspired me to continue. Since then, I’ve exhibited in multiple venues across the Southeast.
Alongside my art, I practice social work part-time, focusing on whole-person health in marginalized communities, and I teach mindfulness-based fitness at Barre3 Nashville. My art practice feels like a natural extension of these roles—life-giving work that allows me to share energy, presence, and renewal with others.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At times, I’m tempted to look back and wish I had set out as a working artist right after college, yet I remain grateful for the twists and turns my path has taken. When my children were young, balancing motherhood with a career in social work left little space for my visual art practice. Still, that work grounded me in what truly matters and offered glimpses into the inner beauty of every person. It deepened my compassion—for others and for myself—and continues to shape the way I see and move through the world. Returning to the easel now provides me with a space to process what feels heavy, to give voice to emotions beyond words, and to share the beauty I find in our world with others.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create intuitive abstracted paintings—often botanicals and landscapes—layering expressive, gestural movement through mixed media (paint, collage, and other elements). My love of depicting the natural world grew out of carefree summers in the Smoky Mountains and the influence of my mother’s garden and floral designs. These roots continue to inspire me to capture the calm, wonder, and vitality found in nature. My work seeks to embody freedom, presence, and the fullness of being alive. My art practice is driven by collaboration, giving back, and a belief in art’s power to heal.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I value authenticity and find joy in connecting with collectors and fellow artists, hearing about what inspires them. Collectors have shared that my work carries a calming energy—like the feeling of taking a deep breath. Through my art, I invite viewers to slow down, reflect, and simply be present.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kateferrellart.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kateferrellart/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kate.b.ferrell
