Featured Artist Karen Richardson

Discover the world of Canadian watercolor painter Karen Richardson, who paints the tranquil beauty of calm lakes and intricate stones on the shoreline. View more by visiting her website.

 

 

I am a realist painter living in rural Ontario, Canada. I have worked professionally in watercolour for over 35 years. Commercial galleries in central Ontario have been showing my paintings for the last 20 years.

 

 

From front-line experience teaching watercolour workshops for over a decade, I published Watercolour Toolbox: Essentials for Painting Success. This art instruction book won three international awards. It helps students deal with the challenges they encounter when learning how to be a better painter.

 

 

Often people viewing my art think it is oil or acrylic work. They say they did not realize watercolour paintings could have saturated colour and dramatic contrasts. I mix primary hues of artist quality paints to create the authentic look of nature. I varnish my watercolours and frame them without glass. This allows optimal viewing and makes them look like works on canvas or board.

 

 

My husband and I have always enjoyed exploring new horizons, even in the early years, when it was just us on our motorcycle with a tent. Decades of snowmobile adventures have provided access to unspoiled wild places. Our kayaking forays have given me a unique perspective of peaceful lakes and rivers. Now we travel extensively with our Airstream trailer which contains a mobile art studio. I recount travel stories in my studio blog.

 

 

While we have visited every province and territory in Canada and every state in continental USA, the landscape that speaks most profoundly to my artistic heart is the Canadian Shield region. This vast area of bedrock extends from the Great Lakes to the Arctic Ocean, and eastward to the Atlantic Ocean.

 

 

In particular, I have developed a profound connection to the northern shores of Lake Superior and Lake Huron. It is a land of weathered rock, clear water, sturdy trees, and vast skies. The landscape contains echoes from my childhood when I lived in a northern Ontario village near Algonquin Provincial Park.

 

 

Wherever we go, I have a camera or phone in my pocket, ready to capture moments of exceptional beauty as we explore back roads, hiking trails, and northern waters.

 

 

I have a vast photo reference library and use it to design and paint scenes that capture the soul-deep awe and wonder I felt when immersed in the landscape. These paintings spring authentically from the adventurous life we lead.

 

 

As life unfolds, I will continue to explore the rugged landscapes of North America, on the lookout for inspiring places to portray in watercolour. I feel privileged and grateful to be able to share my love of art and nature with people all over the world. My paintings bring peace and pleasure to their lives every day. Using the versatile medium of watercolour, I will continue this life-long journey to express my deepest, heartfelt admiration for the land that speaks to my soul.

 

Karen Richardson invites you to follow on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram. 

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