SketchBetter is a body of ink based drawings focused on calming the mind and resting in the present moment. By creating large artworks using only a black pen on white paper simplifies the palette of options on offer to the artist and using repeated patterns allows the creative mind the pause to connect with physical and emotional feelings and emotions in the present moment.
SketchBetter is a body of ink based drawings focused on calming the mind and resting in the present moment. By creating large artworks using only a black pen on white paper simplifies the palette of options on offer to the artist and using repeated patterns allows the creative mind the pause to connect with physical and emotional feelings and emotions in the present moment.
Biography
Positive Psychology Coach, Educator and Artist,
with specialist training in mindfulness for children.
With over a decade of experience in the visual arts, social design and education, Kate works as a Positive Psychologist, Coach and and Art Teacher. Named as Kingston's Entrepreneur
of the Year in 2018 and interviewed on BBC 1 television (2019) about her work, Kate brings
the science of Positive Psychology and practice of mindfulness into learning environments, workplaces and communities, through coaching
and the visual arts.
Kate's vision is a world where all children and young people learn the skills and the science that supports their resilience and enables flourishing. A world where creativity and wellbeing are positioned alongside academic studies, and the happiness of young people is considered the
most important outcome of all education.
Kate holds a First Class Honours Degree in Graphic Design and an MSc with Merit in Applied Positive Psychology and Coaching Psychology. She has completed a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction course with London Mindfulness Centre, and a Teaching Mindfulness to Children course with Calm for Kids.
An avid researcher, Kate has studied numerous short courses, including Developmental Psychology with the University of Queensland.
During her Masters degree, Kate founded SketchBetter - a small art and wellbeing school. Under the SketchBetter brand, Kate led a team of graduate volunteers to run popular clubs and workshops for children and families at Cass Art in Kingston for a year, before being offered permanent studio space at Alexandra School in Kingston Upon Thames.
Given her own atelier at Alexandra School, Kate worked as the school's Art Teacher for three years, teaching classes of 30 students across Years 1- 6, about art and wellbeing. Managing a small team of art teachers, SketchBetter also held sell-out after-school clubs in Art, Design, Textiles and Photography, and ran a weekly Open Studio for children to work freely on self-directed projects. SketchBetter's goal was to allow every young person access to a creative space where they were supported to steer their own creative learning.
Passionate about student's leading their own learning, Kate supported numerous young students to realise dream projects, including facilitating two 10 year olds to produce a stop-motion animation for a local arts festival, a group of young dancers to perform on BBC television, and three budding fashion designers to create their own catwalk show at a local theatre.
In recent years, Kate has worked with clients, including Cass Art, the Turner Contemporary, Action for Happiness, Hackney Teaching Schools' Alliance, St George's University, Ignite! and The International Youth Arts Festival. She has spoken on BBC 1 Sunday Morning Live, at Kingston Rotary Club and at Bournemouth Arts Institute.
Kate lives in Surrey with her fiancé Sam and their two cats, Rocket and Miró. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, yoga, meditation, reading, drawing and weaving.
Formal Education
Educational Courses
2016 - 2018
MSc Applied Positive Psychology & Coaching Psychology (Merit), University of East London
2003 - 2006
BA(Hons) Graphic Design (First)
The Arts Institute at Bournemouth
1995-2001
A-Level: Art (A); Resistant Materials (A)
GCSE: Art (A); English Lit (A); English Lang (C); Geography (A); French (B); Maths (B); Science (BB); IT (B); Resistant Materials (A*)
Aylesbury High School, Aylesbury
Professional Training
2020 • Child Mental Health Awareness
CPD Accredited, HSQE Ltd
(postponed due to COVID)
2020 • Advanced Safeguarding Children (Levels 1&2)
CPD Accredited, HSQE Ltd
(postponed due to COVID)
2019 • The Zones of Regulation®
Teacher Training Curriculum Workshop
2017 • Schools First Aid Course (including epi-pen administration), St John's Ambulance
2016 • Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction
London Centre for Mindfulness
2015 • Teaching Mindfulness to Children
Calm for Kids, London
Enrolled • Positive Psychiatry and Mental Health
The University of Sydney, via Coursera.org
Enrolled • Introduction to Child Psychology
The Open University, via Open.edu
Enrolled • Psychology of Personal Growth
Hong Kong University of Science & Tech, via edX.org
Current • The Best Start in Life: Early Childhood Development for Sustainable Development
SDG Academy, via edX.org
Current • Buddhism and Modern Psychology
Princeton University, via Coursera.org
2020 • Introduction to Developmental Psychology (82%)
The University of Queensland, via edX.org
2015 • The Power of Vulnerability
Sounds True and Dr Brene Brown, via Udemy.com
2015 • Positive Psychology
UNC-Chapel Hill, via Coursera.org
2015 • What Future for Education?
UCL Institute of Education, via Coursera.org
2014 • The Science of Happiness (86%)
UC Berkeley, via edX.org