Katy grew up on a ranch in Shackelford County that has been in her family since 1893, where problem solving was a way of life. She always having an intense determination to make art from whatever materials were available, She discovered that the process of figuring out how to create with limited materials gave her boundless creative energy. This continues to this day.

With an art degree from ACC in 1964, she began teaching art at Franklin Jr. High. Forty years later, with many post-graduate experiences, she retired from Abilene High School. In 2004. Since that time she has taught continuously, beginning with ten years as an outreach instructor in the juvenile justice system through the CCA. Teacher workshops for the Grace, coupled with some fifth graders kept her occupied as well during that time. About ten years ago she began teaching a women’s class at the Taylor county jail.