Katie Kopcha, artist and illustrator

I grew up in a town called Southington, Connecticut. I am inspired by the many people, animals, and places around me. As a child, I collected toads around my yard; I would keep them for a day, play with them, and let them go at night. Animals hold a dear place in my heart.

I graduated from University of Connecticut in Storrs, CT with a BFA in Illustration. I am currently getting ready to attend grad school for a Masters in Art Therapy at Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, CT. I spent a semester abroad in Florence, Italy and experienced fresco painting while seeing many historical Renaissance paintings. (And of course eating their wonderful Italian cuisines) Above is a picture of myself presenting, "Leaping Through the Year", a book I wrote about a frog going through every month of the year. I am at South End Elementary School as a visiting artist/illustrator in Southington, CT.

Right now, I work at Southington Care Center and several other nursing homes around the state of Connecticut. While working with various populations, including dementia and Alzheimer's patients, I use watercolor and acrylic painting to accomplish different projects. I own Leaping into Art Studio in Southington, CT and offer creative art classes for children and teens.