Kate Bentley began her artistic journey as a sculptor and theatre designer but transitioned to a full-time professional painter by 1999. Her work is deeply influenced by her surroundings and the landscape, reflecting her identity as a “painter of life.”

Bentley’s art is heavily informed by en plein air sessions and life drawing, which serve as the foundation for her narrative paintings. Her narrative pieces are a product of her appreciation for the human form, patterns, chiaroscuro, and theatrical elements. These works are born in the studio, where she engages in mark-making, revisiting studies, and reworking older pieces through extensive experimentation. This process allows themes to emerge naturally, often mirroring her life experiences, both past and present. Bentley’s fascination with mark-making, layering, and textures drives her continuous exploration and innovation in her work.
Her narrative art evolves organically, capturing the essence of human experience and the beauty of the natural world around her.

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 ,2024-22
Morningside Gallery, Edinburgh 2025-22
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.
Glasgow Art Club-Scottish Prize for Fine Art Exhibition- 2023
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 2024on text goes here
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
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 - 6 th 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
2020-3 rd 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 ‘2 nd ’ 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”