2026 COMMISSIONS NOW AVAILABLE | FREE uk delivery
Meet the Artist
Katie is an experienced art teacher and artist who has dedicated herself to serving others through the transformative power of art for the past decade. Whilst exploring a diverse range of media, she focuses on three main elements in her work: the beauty of the natural world, bespoke pet portraits, and her exciting new venture, Katie Sims Collections LTD est. 2024. This innovative business allows her to turn her artwork into delightful giftable items, making art accessible to everyone and enabling her to share her passion in a meaningful way. Through her dedication to creativity and a love for teaching, Katie continues to inspire her students and clients alike, proving that art can bridge connections and enrich lives.
150+
12
Years of experience
Happy clients
I thank my Grampy
It all began in our charming town of Devizes, Wiltshire, where my grandfather, Tom Mills, ran his sign-writing business. His meticulous craftsmanship brought to life skillful creations, from vibrant pub signs to intricate designs adorning canal boats. I would often wander around his quaint studio, a converted garage filled with the essence of creativity, dreaming of having my own space one day. That dream became a reality when I transformed an old potting shed into my studio. Though my grandfather left this world too soon to witness my journey as an artist, I carry his spirit with me. With every brushstroke and design, I strive to honor his legacy, embracing the joy and creativity he instilled in me. Today, I am proud to be a joyful and creative artist and teacher, keeping his memory alive through my art.
The Thousand Year Trust Collaboration
I’ve been proud to collaborate with The Thousand Year Trust (TYT), based at Cabilla Woods on Bodmin Moor, Cornwall. Through my artwork, I aim to raise awareness of the UK’s rare temperate rainforests, spark conversation within my local community, and support wellbeing projects rooted in connecting with and protecting nature. So far, £100 has been raised from profits of artworks created in the forest, helping contribute to rainforest restoration and education. Thanks to TYT, the painting 'Fallen Oak', a tree home to Cabilla Woods, has grown to be a national favorite, as this artwork won my place as a main contestant on Sky Arts' Landscape Artist of the Year 2026.
£100
Years in collaboration
Raised for the chairy
2
Somerset Artist Katie Sims Paints Her Way onto National TV with Landscape Artist of the Year
A Somerset-born artist living and working in Taunton has achieved a long-held ambition by appearing on the 2026 season of Sky Arts’ Landscape Artist of the Year, filming in one of the UK’s most dramatic settings and bringing national attention to her work inspired by endangered landscapes.
On Wednesday 28 January at 8pm, viewers will see Katie Sims painting from one of the iconic pods against the spectacular backdrop of the White Cliffs of Dover as part of a heat on the popular Sky Arts competition (Sky Arts, Freeview 36 & NOW TV).
Katie’s artistic journey began close to home, nurtured by the lush natural environments of the South West and driven by her passion for highlighting fragile ecosystems — especially the UK’s rare Atlantic temperate rainforests. These ancient woodlands, cloaked in moss, lichen and liverworts, play a crucial role in biodiversity, carbon storage and wellbeing, yet remain unfamiliar to many. Through vibrant painting, drawing and mixed media, Katie captures both their beauty and ecological fragility.
Her own submission piece, 'Fallen Oak', embodies this ethos — a work inspired by a fallen oak tree at Cabilla Woods in Cornwall, home to the charity The Thousand Year Trust. The painting explores resilience and regeneration as the tree continues to grow rooted back into the forest floor. Its prominence in Katie’s practice helped win her a place on Landscape Artist of the Year, a dream realised after years of applying and refining her work — a milestone she describes as “incredible and nerve-racking in the best way”.
“It was an unforgettable day,” Katie says of filming. “Despite a brief sprinkle of rain, the weather mostly held and the production team couldn’t have been more supportive. Meeting the judges and presenter Stephen Mangan was an absolute joy.”
The experience has already fuelled further creative opportunities. To celebrate and share her work locally, Katie is hosting a solo exhibition ‘Forest Floor to Sky Arts’ at Taunton Library Gallery from 19–24 January. The exhibition brings together rainforest-inspired work, including originals, prints and cards — many of which have already resonated with the community through markets and local galleries. More exhibitions are to come in 2026.
A portion of profits from the exhibition are being donated to The Thousand Year Trust, reinforcing Katie’s commitment to conservation and awareness-raising through art. With the TV appearance now set to broadcast, she hopes to bring even more attention to these overlooked landscapes and inspire people across Somerset and beyond to connect with the natural world.
Find the Somerset County Gazette article here.
Education & Teaching
(2025-Present) Plymouth Marjon University (Make Happen Institute): MA Creative Practice.
(2025-present) Art Hopper Events Workshop lead with Brewhouse.
(2025-present) Cygnets Art School Art Teacher & TA for the Taunton branch.
(2025-present) EastQuay Artist for the Creative Teacher Network Project (Year 2/3).
(2022-2025) Art and Photography teacher at King’s College Taunton.
(2023-2024) Acting Head of Art & Art and Photography teacher at King’s College Taunton.
(2021-2022) Art, Design & Technology teacher at Hayle Academy in Cornwall – lead teacher with Year 9 and GCSE Art (Maternity cover).
(2020-2021) Art, Design & Technology teacher at Camborne Science & International Academy in Cornwall.
(2019-2020) Art, Design and Photography teacher at Swindon Academy in Swindon.
(2019) Gallery assistant at artist Joanna May’s exhibition ‘The Hare on the Moon’.
(2018-2019) Royal Wootton Bassett Academy, North Wiltshire School Centred Initial Teacher Training (NWSCITT & PGCE) for Art & Design Secondary School.
(2015-2018) Bath School of Art and Design: Fine Art BA (Hons) graduate.
Experience
(2026) Appears as a main contestant on Sky Arts' Landscape Artist of the Year (#LAOTY).
(2016-present) Contemporary mixed media, multi-disciplinary artist, full-time since 2025.
(2024-Present) Visiting artist with charity The Thousand Year Trust, Cabilla, Cornwall, UK.
(2025-Present) Frequently run my art stall with GoCreate at the Taunton Independent Market.
(2025-Present) GoCreate artist member.
(2025) Collaborated with Blossoming Bridgwater, to create a multi-layered skirt from textiles from the Royal Ballet & Opera Costume Dept.
(2023) Live pet portrait masterclass demonstrations for the Taunton Art Group.
(2021) Landscape Artist of the Year Wild Card Artist at Eden Project, Cornwall. Aired on Sky Arts January 2022.
(2021) Christmas cards designer for 'Prickles & Paws Hedgehog Rescue' charity in Cornwall.
(2017-2018) Artist and designer for company ‘Bucket & Spade Cornwall’.
(2016-2018) Judge at the ‘Young People’s Art Competition’ at Bishops Cannings Church, Wiltshire, England, UK.
Exhibitions
(2026) Orchard Art Gallery with GoCreate as the featured window display artist in May, Taunton, UK.
(2026) Taunton Library Exhibition to celebrate my achievement on Sky Arts' Landscape Artist of the Year (#LAOTY), January.
(2025) Orchard Art Gallery with GoCreate as the featured artist in November, Taunton, UK.
(2025) Bristol Gallery Weekend by Equinox at Circular Art Space, Bristol, UK.
(2025) 'Something Scary in the Library' shared exhibition/demonstration, Taunton Library, UK.
(2025) Circular Art Space 13th Community Art Exhibition, Bristol, UK.
(2024) Taunton Library Group Exhibition, Taunton, UK.
(2023) Albatross Gallery Porthleven, Cornwall, UK.
(2023) The Porthleven Harbour Art Prize, Porthleven, Cornwall, UK.
(2022) ‘The Poly Members’ Summer Exhibition at The Poly, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK.
(2022) ‘Prospecting’ at Inspire Makers, Falmouth, Cornwall, UK.
(2018) Wiltshire Air Ambulance oil painting: On permanent display at their airbase, Semington, UK.
Awards
(2025) Longlisted for London Graphic Art Prize.
(2019) ‘Outstanding’ level achieved whilst training to teach.
(2018) Creative Bath Awards Finalist.
(2018) The Porthleven Prize Winner, Cornwall.
(2018) The Bath Spa Leadership Award.
(2017) The Gane Trust Travel Award Winner, Rome, Italy.
(2017) The Bath Spa Award.
Curriculum Vitae
Artist Portfolio
Click to enlarge
Find the latest news @katiesimsart
