Timothy Banks

Artist Timothy Banks paints stylized animals that look like origami brought to life—folded with precision, yet softened by the fluidity of watercolor. “Each animal begins as a sketch, but I build in movement, memory, and personality as I go,” says Timothy. A longtime illustrator with a background in children’s books and commercial work, he eventually turned his attention to personal paintings filled with bold shapes, layered colors, and expressive lines. His animals often hint at something deeper: a quiet emotion, a sense of play, or a flash of familiarity. Timothy works from a sun-drenched parlor studio in a historic 19th-century Charleston building with tall ceilings and views of the city’s rooftops. When he’s not painting, he’s usually cycling around town, kayaking through Lowcountry creeks, or making art with his three daughters.