Kate Bentley RSW RI SWA
Kate lives and works in South West Scotland.
She is member of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolour, The Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour and the Society of Women Artists.
“I have an explorative nature and vivid imagination. My background in Sculpture and Theatre Design I think is evident in my work.
I have a love for materials and have a deep appreciation for the human form, patterns, chiaroscuro, and theatrics. My fascination with mark-making, reflections, layering and textures drives continuous exploration .
These works are born in the studio, where mark-making is key at the initial stages, but revisiting studies, occasionally working en-plein air and reworking older pieces through extensive experimentation also is part of my practice.
This process allows themes to emerge naturally, often mirroring my life experiences, both past and present and mainly working from my memories.
My narrative evolves organically, hopefully capturing the essence of human experience and the beauty of the natural world around me, whilst using suggestive mark to entrap the viewer to create their own narrative and interpretation of my work.”
Brief Exhibition History
Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours, Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh 2025- 22,2019,2017
Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London. 2025-22,2020-13,2010-05
Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour Annual Exhibition, Mall Galleries, London 2025-22,2020,2018,2017,2014,2013,2010,2008
Royal Society of Painters in Watercolour Exhibitions-Iona House Gallery, Oxfordshire & Watermark Gallery, Harrogate 2024
Society of Scottish Artists-Scottish Royal Academy 2021,2022 & Dalkeith Palace 2024
Open Eye Gallery, Edinburgh 2025-22
Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh 2025-22
Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright. 2025-21
New Light Prize Touring exhibitions 2020-21 & 2023-24 -Williamson Art Gallery & Museum, Birkenhead. Bankside Gallery, Southbank, London. Rheged Arts Centre, Penrith.The Biscuit Factory, Newcastle. The Mercer Art Gallery, Harrogate.
British Art Prize, Oxo Gallery, London 2025
Glasgow Art Club-Scottish Prize for Fine Art Exhibition 2023
Paisley Art Institute 2025
Women in Art Fair, The Mall Galleries, London 2023
Discerning Eye Exhibition, The Mall Galleries 2023
Society of Scottish Artists, Maclaurin Gallery 2023-4
Royal Society of British Artists, Annual Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London 2024-22
New English Art Club 2022
Royal Society of Marine Artists Annual 2021, 2023
Royal Birmingham Society of Artists 2020,2018,2016,2014,2012,2005
Royal Watercolour Society, Bankside 2014,2013,2009
Lakes Artists Society 2019-2007
Birmingham Watercolour Society 2013
Edinburgh Art Fair 2022,2019,2018,2015,2014
Manchester Art Fair 2019,2018,2015,2014
Affordable Art Fair, Battersea,London 2024,2025
Beyond the Prize, Mall Galleries, London 2025
Royal Glasgow Institute-Kelly Gallery, Glasgow 2025
Solo Exhibitions
2025 Two Worlds -The Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh
2024 Kimono, The Eduardo Alessandro Studio Gallery, Dundee
2024 Kimono Journeys, The Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh
2023 Kimono Stories, The Whitehouse Gallery, Kirkcudbright
2022 ‘Ruskin’s Reverie No 2’ at The Blue Gallery, Brantwood
2020-21 ‘Ruskin’s Reverie’ Artist in Residence Exhibition, Brantwood, Coniston
2017 ‘Ophelia’, Bellwood &Wright Fine Art Gallery, Lancaster
2015 ‘Drama in the Dales’, The Lime Gallery, Settle
2013 ‘Skyline’ The Lime Gallery, Settle
2011 ‘The Darker side of Light’, Severn Studio, Brantwood, Coniston
Prizes, Awards and Memberships
2025 The Catto Gallery Award ,Society of Women Artists Annual Exhibition, The Mall Galleries, London
2025 The Parallel Visions Award, Paisley Art Institute, Glasgow Art Club, Glasgow
2025 Richard Plincke RI Prize for Colour, RI Annual Exhibition
2025 Debra Manifold RI Memorial Award, RI Annual Exhibition
2024 Awarded Membership to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolours
2023 The Sea Pictures Gallery Award – Royal Society of Marine Painters Annual Exhibition
2023 The Hosking House Trust Prize – 6th Annual Women’s Emerging Artist Painting Award
2023 Awarded Membership to the Royal Society of Painters in Watercolours
2022 The John Wood Award – The Holly Bush Emerging Woman Painter Prize, London
2020 Third Prize – The Holly Bush Emerging Woman Painter Prize, London
Second Prize – The Upfront Open Exhibition, Upfront Gallery, Penrith
2019 First Prize – The Upfront Open Exhibition, Upfront Gallery, Penrith
2018 The John Entwistle People’s Choice Award – Lakes Artist Summer Exhibition
2018 Awarded ‘The Private View Prize’- The Cumbrian Open Exhibition, Upfront Gallery, Penrith
2017 The John Entwistle People’s Choice Award – Lakes Artist Summer Exhibition
2017 Awarded-Lancashire Life’s Landscape Artist of the Year
2017 Prize Winner 2nd The Cumbrian Open Exhibition, Upfront Gallery, Penrith
2016 ‘HRH Princess Michael of Kent Watercolour Award’-Mall Galleries, London
2014 Awarded Associate Membership to the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists
2014 Awarded Full Membership to The Society of Women Artists, London
2013 Prize-winner at the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists ‘Annual Prize Exhibition’
2013 Awarded Associate Membership to The Society of Women Artists, London
2012 Awarded membership to the Lakes Artists Society
2012 Awarded membership to the Birmingham Watercolour Society
2012 ‘The Peter Tyson Award’ – The Lakes Artists Society
2010 ‘The Rheged Prize’ – The Lakes Artists Society
2008 ‘The Winsor and Newton Choice Award’ – The Society of Women Artists
2005 Portrait Award – Granada TV, North-East Finalist for programme ‘A Brush with Fame’
