In 2014, Katie left Philadelphia, PA, and moved to Portland, OR, to be closer to the mountains she craves and to challenge herself as an ultramarathon trail runner. Driven by curiosity and the thrill of what lies around each bend, she has found both home and inspiration in the countless miles of mountain trails she explores.

While navigating these trails, often alone in the wilderness, Katie became captivated by the patterns and lines on the topographic maps tucked in her pack. Her work is a blend of these maps with the landscapes and experiences she encounters in nature.

With a degree in illustration, Katie explored many mediums and crafts before her love for painting and the outdoors pulled her toward this latest body of work—a style she feels deeply connected to and genuinely fulfilled by.

Each painting begins with the contours of a map guiding her composition. She adjusts the colors to capture the mood of the place, then overlays acrylic paint and finishes the details with pen and ink. To her, the map’s contour lines are like nature’s fingerprints: unique to each place and each experience. Through her work, Katie strives to capture the connection people feel toward their favorite wild places.

Katie creates out of her garage studio in SE Portland, OR, with her assistant, Liz, and the support of her husband, Brian, who often steps in to help with packing orders during busy times. She now shares her love for nature with their curious toddler, Miles, and sweet pup, Silvie.

Liz joined Final Switchback in July 2022 after years as a repeat customer, both at craft fairs and on Etsy. Thrilled to work with an artist who shares her love for the outdoors, Liz brings a passion for adventure and a deep appreciation for the Pacific Northwest to her role. An avid hiker, camper, and outdoor enthusiast, she found her ideal home in the PNW, where mountains, ocean, and waterfalls offer endless places to explore.

With a background in running specialty shops, Liz spent much of her career fitting customers for shoes and handling apparel and accessory buying for family-owned stores. She also earned a master’s in Biological Anthropology from the University of Cincinnati, where she led a pioneering study on barefoot running, published in The Journal of Sports Health and Science in 2014. Drawn to Portland by her love of nature and running, Liz moved to the PNW in 2013 with her partner and their cat, eager to experience the region’s beauty firsthand.

Since then, Portland has become home. Liz, her partner Nick, their daughter, and two cats enjoy exploring near and far. When she’s not at Final Switchback, you can find her hiking, paddleboarding, or camping with her family, soaking up the natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.