Biography

Kathie Kemp is an award-winning creative director, designer, illustrator, and fine artist.  Her career spans over 25-years in the design, publishing, and arts industries, including extensive work with artists and designers around the world.

Kathie, with her husband Chris, and their best friend “Hawkeye”.

After graduating from the University of California at San Diego, Kathie began her career in advertising agencies in San Diego. Through the course of her multi-faceted career in California, North Carolina, and New York, Kathie’s professional experience expanded to include corporate communications, point-of-purchase and packaging, graphics for clothing and signage, and product design/development.  She has received many regional and national design awards, including design excellence recognition in Communication Arts and Print magazines. She has “stacks” of gold and silver Addy Awards, and Pica Awards for excellence in concept, design, presentation, and printing.

A critical influence to Kathie’s current work, are years she spent in her own design studio business in Charlotte, NC, and later as the Creative Director for an international, educational foundation in New York.  There she directed design and production of a monthly magazine, books, promotional and collateral materials, audio materials, and a wide variety of products sold in retail stores around the world.

In 1993, Kathie decided to follow a life-long desire to add fine art painting to her repertoire, particularly in watercolor.  As her studies have progressed, she has added fine art awards to her portfolio, including being juried into two international art exhibitions and various U.S. exhibits.  She has also done commissioned fine art and illustration for stationery products and children’s books. Now, in addition to the works shown on this website, she brings a powerful combination of product design and fine art ability to the home décor and gift industries through Meridian Sky.