Katie Range was born and raised in Springfield, Illinois. She enjoyed a childhood deeply involved in the arts. From an early age, she was certain she would find a career that involved the visual arts. Upon graduation from Drake University with a B.F.A., she moved to Chicago and worked for several graphic design studios. After nearly seven years in Chicago, she and her husband moved to St. Louis to pursue new opportunities. It was there that Katie landed a job at a mid-sized ad agency and acquired extensive experience in promotions and illustration. Her passion is illustration, both traditional and digital.

Katie currently resides in Edwardsville, Illinois where she runs a graphic design studio that specializes in branding, promotions and illustration. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her two young children, husband, family and friends.

“When I talked to the castee, Kari Schmidt, she shared her experiences with breast cancer. Although she does not suffer from cancer, she suffers from the impact the disease. Kari wants her cast to serve as an on-going awareness tool for young women. For me, the tree is a symbol of antiquity, strength, life, growth, comfort, religion and family. These symbols are how we battle this disease. My tree is reaching down to the ground and up to the sky at the same time. My hope is that the audience will connect with cancer. May they form their own symbols, share their stories, remember the love that gets them through and act to prevent. It is a simple symbol of the complexities that lie within our lives, our struggles and our victories.”