Katie Pertiet

"Taking old art and making it new and fresh again is very rewarding," says Baltimore artist Katie Pertiet.

Katie found the imagery and inspiration for her first vintage collages on the pages of antique books given to her by her father. Since then she has added to her library and enjoys scouring the bookshelves of antique stores wherever she goes.

Born in New York City, Katie now resides in Baltimore with her husband and daughter. Her home studio is a mix of old and new, just like her art. Her vintage book library and paints and brushes occupy the same space as her prized Macintosh computer. Using both digital and traditional art techniques, Katie blends patterns, colors, textures and antique engravings to create something new. "The style of 19th century artists speaks to me because it is classic and traditional," she says.

For over 20 years Katie has worked as a professional graphic designer. She creates products for scrapbooking companies and is a sought-after consultant for a variety of digital and design businesses. All of these endeavors complement and influence the artwork she makes.