Catherine Palmer's paintings of hillsides and houses in the hidden neighborhoods of San Francisco begin as photographs taken during her day-to-day routine. Stopping to observe how light moves across architectural structures, Palmer is often awestruck during dawn and dusk. In her paintings, Palmer reinterprets these stark contrasts of light, resulting in a geometric abstraction of the familiar forms. The vacant landscapes, devoid of human activity, offer the viewer a voyeuristic opportunity to explore and rediscover the city.

Palmer studied art at Virginia Commonwealth University and Califrornia State University, Chico before earning her Bachelor's and Master's Degrees at the University of California, Berkeley. In 2008, she left her position teaching art at Alice Fong Yu Elementary School in San Francisco to dedicate herself full time to her studio practice. Palmer lives and works in San Francisco.