In Harbour

I have always been interested in putting my creative ideas in to visual art of some kind or another. I see inspiration in everything around me and constantly have ideas in my head of how to recreate or represent what I see.

Living in such a beautiful place close to the sea, the moors, the countryside and the city is a constant source of inspiration.

I have been fortunate to have travelled extensively, which is another major source of ideas for my work.

Art was my favourite subject at school and I was accepted to do a pre- degree in Art & Design at my local college. Being young and not very confident, I didn't have the courage of my convictions to do it and changed my course at the last minute.

Whilst I did not paint or draw for a long time, I continued to indulge my creativity in many other ways, including: pottery, interior design, silversmithing and jewellery making, furniture restoration, soft furnishing creation and mosaic.

When I finally returned to Devon to settle down in 2006, I decided it was time to start painting and drawing again, so enrolled on a series of workshops and courses, including all forms of printmaking.

The degree that had eluded me in my younger years was beckoning and I took the plunge of my first step and started an access course in Art & Design at Exeter College. I enjoyed it immensely and learnt a lot. This led to starting a part time degree course at Plymouth College of Art in Painting, Drawing and Printmaking. I had coveted this degree for so long, I was so surprised when I decided it was not for me after all.

Determined to continue with art, but doing the things I wanted to do, I did some more short courses and workshops. I am still developing my skills and ideas and continue to experiment with new things, but I am now confident with what I like and what makes me happy. I want to be true to myself and enjoy my creative gift and I hope that you enjoy it too.

Painted in acrylics with a pallet knife, which helps to create texture and interesting patterns in her work. Watercolour paper adds more texture and, for Karen, more interest than painting on canvas. "Most of my work is representational rather than realist. I like to let the paint flow from the pallet knife to create shapes and form that suggest what is actually there." In Harbour is inspired by a trip to Kerala in South India.

Acrylic on 300gsm Watercolour Paper

56x46cm

Framed Under Glass