Gentle Road

11/16/2025

✨ My Etsy shop is officially back up and running! ✨

Thank you all so much for your patience over the last couple of days while a technical glitch had my shop temporarily offline. I appreciate every message, share, and kind word — you all kept me going. 💛

I’m happy to say that everything is fixed now, and orders, inquiries, and messages are coming through normally again. I’m working through my current commissions as usual and I’m excited to welcome new ones, too!

If you reached out while the shop was down, please feel free to message me again or send details to [email protected] — I’d love to take care of you.

Thank you again for supporting my small business, especially during the busiest time of the year. I’m endlessly grateful. 💛

11/15/2025

While Etsy is still having its little technical moment with my shop 😅
I figured I’d share a few recent paintings I’ve been working on.

The first three pieces were created for retiring physicians at Intealth. It was such an honor to celebrate careers devoted to education, medicine, and service. 💛. One even has local ties to Hampton Roads!

Swipe ➡️ to see a couple more recent favorites, including a DuPont career story and one for a television executive whose career spans from SNL to Paramount.

Creating these life-story paintings is my passion. Every journey is unique, meaningful, and full of moments worth preserving.

Thank you all for your patience while Etsy fixes the glitch. I’m still painting daily and working through all open orders as normal!

If you’ve recently reached out about placing an order, feel free to message or email me your details anytime. I’m still gathering info and sketching as usual, and I’ll update you as soon as Etsy’s glitch is resolved. This shouldn’t delay any gifting timelines. 💛

DM or email anytime. 💌
[email protected]

11/15/2025

Hey everyone! Just a quick note-Etsy is having a hiccup on their end and my shop is temporarily down while they fix it.

Don’t worry:
✔ Your orders are still being worked on
✔ Timelines are unchanged
✔ I’m here and available for anything you need

If you have a question, just DM me or email [email protected] - I’m happy to help while Etsy sorts things out.

Thank you all so much for your continued support. I appreciate you endlessly 💛✨

11/03/2025

This little print hangs above where I work.

Today marks 15 years since my mom passed away. I was a young 20-something then, long before Gentle Road ever existed.

Recently I came across a painting by that stopped me in my tracks. My mom loved pigs, and this one felt like her. It felt soft, airy, and joyful. It’s a pig wearing a little party hat, floating as if it’s flying.

My mom had Primary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, and she told me she wished she could ride a bike again. She wanted to feel the wind, the motion, the freedom. This painting reminds me of that. It feels like she’s free, moving with that same joy she longed for.

Now it hangs above where I paint as a small reminder that she’s here with me in spirit, cheering me on as I work. “Love never dies.”

11/02/2025

Not your typical retirement gift 💛

This client didn’t want to go the “typical route.” She wanted something that celebrated not just his military career, but their journey together.
This one was a large 20x30” commission, capturing decades of service, travel, and milestones, and it was such an honor to bring it all together for them.

“I wanted something that honored not just his military career, but our journey together. Thank you Katie for bringing everything together!”

These paintings stories of love, purpose, and everything in between, and pieces like this remind me exactly why I do what I do. 💛

10/25/2025

When you volunteer to decorate a trunk for Trunk to Treat…and you’re an artist 🎨
Fun night at The BOO-seum of art! 👻 Windsor Woods Elementary PTA

10/19/2025

Over the past eight years, I’ve had the joy of creating custom paintings for more than 2,000 people, capturing homes, pets, love stories, and careers.

Along the way, my Career Story Paintings have become something truly special, and a way to honor the paths people have built and the legacies they’re still creating. While I’ll still offer my other custom pieces, this will now be my main focus moving forward.

Behind the scenes, I’m working on a few incredible commissions that make me pinch myself (think national network and major retailer), and I’ll be sharing them soon.

Each Career Story Painting reminds me how meaningful it is to pause and reflect on the journey that got you here. Every one is filled with symbols, milestones, and moments that tell a life’s story in watercolor.

I know these paintings are an investment, and I want them to feel accessible to anyone ready to celebrate their story. That’s why I’ve introduced a deposit option that allows you to begin your painting now and divide the cost into two payments.

Your story deserves to be celebrated, too. 💼✨

Tap the link in my bio (or visit gentleroad.etsy.com) to learn more or begin your Career Story Painting today.

07/27/2025

❤️❤️❤️

✨🖼️ We’re proud to partner with local artist Katie Barnes of Gentle Road, whose custom watercolor paintings celebrate life’s most meaningful milestones. 🖌️✨

Her work has been featured in Oprah Magazine, Glamour, Wedding Wire, The Knot, and Whoopi Goldberg’s “A Very Whoopi Wish List,” and she’s even created pieces for NBA star Chris Paul, Tom Leonardis of Whoopi Inc., and actress Robyn Lively. 🎨

Check out her work at www.gentleroad.etsy.com and support a talented small business that gives back to the community!
Gentle Road Watercolor Designs

07/27/2025

Career Story paintings have taken over my studio lately… and honestly, I’m loving it. 💼✨
Each one is a snapshot of someone’s journey, full of meaning, milestones, and personal touches.

I’m slowly updating my listings with recent favorites, but here’s a peek at a few I’ve loved working on lately.