The Artist

 
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I am a painter and sculptor, and I have been teaching drawing and painting skills since 2002.

After many years of running my own practice as a Chartered Physiotherapist, I decided to rekindle my creative passion and embark on a second career in the arts world.

Although initially self-taught, I decided to train at the Pound Farm School of Painting & Drawing under Ken Ray, and in 2006 I gained a full distinction in HND Fine Art. A year later, I embarked on a BA (Hons) Fine Art Sculpture at Wimbledon College of Art (University of the Arts London, graduated 2013).

Although I paint in inks, acrylics, oils, pastels and mixed media, my main discipline is watercolour with its ability to move and merge on the paper, its subtle and vibrant qualities and, at times, unpredictability. My sculpture work ranges from ceramic hand build to casting in bronze, resin and beeswax. My 3D work is very much about 'process' and is wholly inspired by the natural world.

I run workshops in Surrey, surrounding counties, and in Suffolk, frequently demonstrating for societies on request. I am also an art tutor for Art Safari (since 2011), which involves leading adventurous painting groups in the UK and abroad, as far as New Zealand. This is both challenging and enriching, regularly informing my practice.

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For a succession of years, I have exhibited and sold with The Society of Women Artists at the Mall Galleries, Westminster Central Hall, The Royal Botanical Society and with 'Not the RA' at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery, London. 

In 2013, my work was selected for show at the Threadneedle Prize Exhibition at the Mall Galleries, London.

I am currently a member of the Surrey Sculpture Society, Wey Ceramics Society, Dorking Group of Artists, and was a former Chairman for the latter. I was a selected member of The Society of Floral Painters and Surrey Figurative Artists.

I exhibit and sell my work regularly at solo and collaborative shows and my work is held in modest collections both here and abroad. I have been fortunate enough to have received various awards for my work both in local and national competitions.

Over the past 15 years, I have organised charity painting days, exhibitions and Art4Kids workshops, raising over £16,000 for various charities. 

My four children have now grown up and made their own homes. I continue to live and work on Leith Hill, Surrey.

Awards

  • 1997 The St. Cuthberts Paper Mill Award (SAA)

  • 1998 and 1999 Highly Commended Awards (SAA)

  • 2000 HC Award and Best Amateur Award (SAA)

  • 2001 runner up for The Artist and Young Artist of the Year

  • 2003 Silver Bacchus Award (Denbies)

  • 2005 Visitors Vote (Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking, Surrey)

    Karen lives and works on Leith Hill, Dorking, Surrey.

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