Kat Mergens (they/she) is a research-based interdisciplinary artist visually examining contemporary engagement with the natural environment. Using printmaking, book arts, poetry, and mapping technology, she explores the impact of colonialism on land stewardship, human rights, and surveillance. Her work promotes mindful attentiveness as a vital alternative to resource extraction through foraged pigment and plein air painting.

Kat holds a BA in Mathematics from UC Santa Cruz (2012) and an MFA in Pictorial Art from San Jose University (2020). In 2019, they founded Oxide Press, a book arts and letterpress company. They have published two artist books, Erosion and Horses. Artists and private companies, including MESO PDX and NIKE, have commissioned Kat for broadsides and books.

They are a 2023 Portland Metro Regional Arts and Culture Council Art3C grant recipient for an interdisciplinary book project to map the natural pigments in the Columbia Gorge Scenic Area. In 2023, they were an intern for the Columbia River Gorge Stewardship Network, in an inter-agency coordination to map desire lines impacting the Scenic Area. Since January 2023, they've volunteered as trail crew and trail ambassador with Forest Park Conservancy and Trailkeepers of Oregon.

Kat has taught painting and printmaking at San Jose State University, Portland State University, and Catlin Gabel Adult Education. She hosts workshops in book arts and letterpress at the Independent Publishing Resource Center in Portland, OR.