ARTIST STATEMENT
“Because of my training as an Illustrator, I was very comfortable doing things in a realistic manner. However, at some point I felt I needed to let go of what I felt most comfortable doing and challenge myself further.
Exploring new ways of expressing myself led to a much looser and more abstract feeling in my figurative work, and in turn, led to completely nonobjective abstract paintings.
Recently the introduction of wax into my painting process has allowed for multiple translucent layers that add depth and ambiguity. Scraping back through these layers reveals even more than anticipated. It is this constant push/pull between happy accident and purposefulness that captivates me, and hopefully the viewer."
BIO
Karen graduated from the Illustration program at Sheridan’s faculty of Animation, Arts & Design. She worked as a freelance illustrator for a number of years before transitioning into the restaurant business, then started a family and finally returned to her art career in the early 2000's.
She has been painting full time for many years now and has become known for both her abstract and figurative work. 2 major publications on the use of cold wax have included Karen’s work- ‘Painting with Cold Wax’ by Serena Barton published in 2015 by North Light Books & ‘Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations’ by Rebecca Crowell & Jerry McLaughlin published May 2017. And her figurative work has also been included in ‘Drawn From Life: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Techniques’ by Helen Birch published in May 2017.
Karen also has a series of ‘Artists Wall Murals’ with Area Environments in Minneapolis, and a series of limited edition prints with Curated Kravet in New York.
C.V.
2017
‘Cold Wax Medium: Techniques, Concepts & Conversations’ by Rebecca Crowell & Jerry McLaughlin published May 2017. ‘Drawn From Life: Contemporary Artists, Timeless Techniques’ by Helen Birch published in May 2017.
2016
’To Her’ a book of poetry by Heeduk Ra
2015
‘Painting with Cold Wax’ by Serena Barton published in 2015 by North Light Books
2014
'Paint & Process'- solo show Peel Art Gallery (PAMA) Brampton, Ontario
2013
'What Lies Beneath'- solo show Julia's Oakville, Ontario
2011
'Dream House' movie set- all artwork supplied
‘Monday Works Show’ Neilson Park Creative Centre
Beaux-Arts Brampton Juried Show
Artworks Oakville Juried Show
2010
Visual Arts Mississauga Juried Show
Beaux-Arts Brampton Juried Show
Artworks Oakville Juried Show
2009
Artworks Oakville Juried Show
Beaux-Arts Brampton Juried Show
2008
‘Figuratively Speaking’ group show Living Arts Centre Mississauga
‘Figuratively Speaking’ group show Oakville Galleries
‘Spring Quartet’ 4 person show Beaux-Arts Gallery
Artworks Oakville Juried Show
Visual Arts Mississauga Juried Show
Art Gallery of Peel Juried Show
2007
‘Points of Departure’ group show Neilson Park Gallery
EAG Annual Juried Show
Through the Eyes of the Artist, Lakeshore Arts Juried Show
Visual Arts Mississauga Juried Show
2006
Jurors Award Mississauga Juried Show
‘TGIF’ group show Neilson Park Gallery
Through the Eyes of the Artist, Lakeshore Arts Juried Show
2005
3 Person Show Contor Gallery, Toronto
Art Gallery of Peel Annual Juried Show
‘Wednesday’s Works’ Neilson Park Gallery
Visual Arts Mississauga Juried Show
2004
Solo Show Beaux-Arts Gallery Brampton
‘Still Figuring it Out’ 3 person show Neilson Park Gallery
2003
Jurors Award Lakeshore Arts Juried Show
‘Wednesday’s Works’ group show Neilson Park Gallery
Commissioned to do bust of Chief of Peel Police
2002
Jurors Award Art Gallery of Peel Juried Show
‘Figuratively Speaking’ 3 person show Neilson Park Gallery
2001
Arts Acclaim Award from the City of Brampton