Katie Knoeringer


Space, color, and shape drive my work. I make painted paper collages based on observational drawings. I’m interested in capturing the truth of the moment, and my interaction with the space occupied by the figure. Rather than having people pose for me, I prefer to watch them engaged in an activity. When I approach a new subject, I make many gestural drawings and more drawings of the space in my sketchbook. I construct my collages directly from the drawings. In the absence of the subject, color and specificity become dictated by the needs of each composition according to space and contrast. Negative and positive shapes are equivalent powers. I build them up simultaneously (rather than laying down a ground first and working on top of it). This allows the image to grow organically and meander around towards its eventual outer bounds.
I walk and ride my bike when I’m outside drawing to afford myself a slow-paced, intimate interaction with my environment. This practice of being present helps me notice idiosyncrasies within spaces. In my work, I’m used to putting myself outside in public spaces. Since about seven years ago, my drawing practice has been about observable space. This almost always leads to people stopping to talk to me and see what I’m working on. I’ve gained a lot of local history this way. I made a series of house drawings in Northern Philadelphia that brought me to sit on sidewalks and stoops. I’ve learned about the businesses that used to occupy the neighborhood, previous inhabitants of houses, and current occupants. I’ve talked to construction workers, dog walkers, the unhoused, elderly people, and children. All have their own interesting perspectives. My work continues with a heightened focus on the figure. I like to draw people until the shapes of the figure, a certain stance or posture, become familiar. So that if someone knew my subject, they would recognize them without a portrait being part of the work.

Katie Knoeringer Resume 
Tour & Talk with Katie Knoeringer 

Katie Knoeringer's most recent solo exhibition was held December 6, 2023 - January 14, 2024.  A selection of her work is currently available at the gallery as indicated. For inquiries on all other works shown, please Contact Us


Putty Car on Blue, painted paper collage, 14" x 11"  Available 


Pete's Plants (2), painted paper collage, 7" x 5"  Available 


Tree, painted paper collage, 10" x 8"  SOLD 


Pets and Plants 2 (Round Flat), painted paper collage, 10" x 8"  Available 


Pets and Plants 1 (Blue Cat), painted paper collage, 10" x 8"  Available 


Beach Baby, painted paper collage, 7" x 5"  Available 


Pets and Plants (Double Cats), painted paper collage, 14" x 11"  Available 


Pets and Plants (Gray Cat), painted paper collage, 11" x 14"  SOLD 


Pets and Plants (Yellow Sun), painted paper collage, 8" x 10"  SOLD 


Pets and Plants (Beast), painted paper collage, 8" x 10"  Available 


Pets and Plants (Jagged), painted paper collage, 14" x 11"  Available 


Pets and Plants (Violet), painted paper collage, 10" x 8"  Available 


Pets and Plants (Hanging Pot), painted paper collage, 14" x 11"  Available 


Tractor and Gourd, painted paper collage, 14" x 11"  Available 


Shadow with Yellow Leaves, painted paper collage, 8" x 10"  Available 


Creature of Habit 4, painted paper collage, 38" x 31"  Available 


Creature of Habit 6, painted paper collage, 21.5" x 17"  Available 


Creature of Habit 5, painted paper collage, 36" x 31"  Available 


December 17th, painted paper collage, 30.5" x 25"  SOLD 


Winter Squash, painted paper collage, 30" x 23"  Available 


Money Tree (2), painted paper collage, 27.5" x 20"  Available 


Money Tree, painted paper collage, 20" x 16"  Available 

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A selection of work from Katie's previous exhibition is available as indicated below. 



Green Crown (with Bean Sprout), painted paper collage, 15" x 19"  Available 


Cat, painted paper collage, 10" x 8"  Available 


Cat II, painted paper collage, 8" x 10"  Available 


Sad Girl, painted paper collage, 12" x 11"  Available 


Green Mirror, painted paper collage, 18" x 15"  Available 


When You're Sleeping, painted paper collage, 22" x 11"  Available 


Nightscape I, painted paper collage, 23" x 15"  Available 


5 am, painted paper collage, 30" x 20"  Available 


View from the Kitchen, painted paper collage, 15" x 11"  Available 


Backyards at Night (II), painted paper collage, 21" x 15"  Available 


Backyards at Night (III), painted paper collage, 28" x 31"  Available 


Window View with Cactus, painted paper collage and thread, 16" x 11"  Available 


A.M. Bunkbed, painted paper collage, 7" x 9"  SOLD 


Blank Slate, painted paper collage, 13" x 11"  SOLD 


Crown with Olive Oil and Spoon, painted paper collage, 20" x 16"  Available 


The Baker, painted paper collage, 13" x 11"  SOLD 


Untitled (Orange Figure), painted paper collage, 9" x 11"  Available 


Yellow Crown, painted paper collage, 9" x 13"  SOLD  


Little Window, painted paper collage, 8" x 12"  SOLD


Domesticated, painted paper collage, 36" x 40"  Available 


Summer Shadows (the in-between), painted paper collage, 51" x 48"  Available 


Threshold, painted paper collage, 52" x 37"  Available 


Creature of Habit, painted paper collage, 93" x 67"  Available 


In the Kitchen 2, painted paper collage, 40" x 23"  Available 

Lemon Verbena, painted paper collage, 22" x 18"  SOLD