Artist Info & C.V. – Karen Sloan
Karen majored in visual art at the Claude Watson School for the Arts, Earl Haig Campus in Toronto, Canada. She attended faux finishing & life drawing courses at the Toronto School of Art, along with several watercolour classes with artist, Marsha Stonehouse.
The Rapids – 11″ x 14″
Karen was a participating artist member on the Haliburton County Studio Tour for 6 years, from 2006 – 2011, a past member of the Toronto Arts and Letters Club, the Cedar Ridge Creative Centre, and a member of the Haliburton Arts Council.
Certain artists have left their respective influence on Karen. Notables are, Picasso, Matisse, Georgia O’Keeffe, Wilfredo Lam, and the Group of Seven. Music, especially Jazz is likely the largest influence for Karen’s work.
Collections: Having sold more than 800 paintings to date, including one to iconic singer Prince, Karen’s paintings & sculptures are in private and corporate collections across Canada. – Internationally, her work is located across the USA, the UK, Switzerland, Australia, Holland, Mexico, South Africa and the Bahamas.
To view a sampling of Karen’s sold pieces, please visit: HERE
To view Karen’s CV please visit: HERE
To purchase prints, please visit: HERE
Thank you!
Artist Statement
To a large degree, popular culture and the ways we humans attempt to enhance and decorate our living spaces and our environments, is a great source of fodder for any artist.
Kitsch and camp are appealing subject matter. Thankfully, (or not, depending on your opinion), my paintings won’t likely match anyone’s living room decor because really, in my humble opinion, that’s not what art is all about.
Recurring themes in my work have included empty chairs, wonky interior themes, and mostly paintings without people.
Clients who have purchased these see them as “optimistic paintings”; true for the most part, however others feel that they are metaphors with an edgy sense of apprehension.
It’s as if something has happened, is about to happen, and it’s a bit like the calm before the storm. This is a real juxtaposition that I quite enjoy.
On the flip side, music was my biggest inspiration. I’m truly moved and affected by the marvellous abstract sounds of Jazz, Blues and Swing, and particularly from the sound of my very favourite band, Steely Dan, whom I unabashedly adore!
With this direction in mind, I followed this musical lead, translating imagery from the music I listen to by applying it to a canvas.
Otherwise, the natural world that’s all around us, and residing in a rural location as I do, does seep into one’s work. I’ll always paint landscapes and flowers from time to time.
In any case, my ultimate goal is to create colourful pictures with movement. – KS
All Rights Reserved © 2004-2023
Artwork is copyrighted by © Karen Sloan
Please ask before using my photos, artwork, or original content. I’ll likely say yes if you link back here. 🙂 Thank you!
Wall Flower Studio 
Hi, thank you for following my blog. I agree with your “beautiful” description of the Haliburton Highlands, you are so right. I also like your art, and the artists you list as influences. May you have a happy & satisfying 2015.
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s my pleasure! Thank you, too! I hope you’ve had a prosperous 2015 so far, as well. Cheers! – Karen
LikeLike
I have a papier mache owl I purchased from you on the Studio Tour many years ago. I love him and he changes locations with the seasons at my cottage.
LikeLike
Hello Anne,
Thank you so much! Apologies for a late reply… I’m not on here very often, but really appreciate you getting in touch, and thrilled that you are still enjoying the owl. A fun creation and so glad he has a good home!
All the best,
Karen
LikeLike