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 I have been exploring mixed media works that emphasize mark making and layering of media to create either bold or richly atmospheric pieces. My most recent work also utilizes type in the form of X’s and O’s.”
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 I have been exploring mixed media works that emphasize mark making and layering of media to create either bold or richly atmospheric pieces. My most recent work also utilizes type in the form of X’s and O’s.”
Biography
Karen Darling graduated from the Illustration program at Sheridan’s faculty of Animation, Arts and Design. After a few years as a freelance illustrator in the advertising community, Karen turned her focus to the restaurant industry and opened a successful restaurant that is still going strong today. Karen has since returned to her art career and has been working as a fine artist painting and sculpting for the last several years. Karen has won numerous awards and is represented in private collections across North America and the UK. Recently Karen was asked to provide all the artwork to be used in the motion picture ‘Dream House’ starring Daniel Craig and Rachel Weiss released in the fall of 2011.
Exhibitions
2011
‘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
‘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
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
Recent Press
Spoons 30th Anniversary Album Artwork
Click below to see a video showing the finished piece by Karen Darling on stage before the Spoons concert at the Revival Club in Toronto
Click below to see a video showing the finished piece by Karen Darling on stage before the Spoons concert at the Revival Club in Toronto
London Calling for Strummerfest 2012
Karen was asked to do a version of the iconic 'London Calling' album by The Clash for Strummerfest 2012. The 36"x36" piece includes the handwritten lyrics by Joe Strummer.
Karen was asked to do a version of the iconic 'London Calling' album by The Clash for Strummerfest 2012. The 36"x36" piece includes the handwritten lyrics by Joe Strummer.
Stir Media Magazine
A profile of Karen and her work was featured in Stir Magazine's premier issue. Click here to view.
A profile of Karen and her work was featured in Stir Magazine's premier issue. Click here to view.
Arts in B-town interview
Click below to see an interview with artist Karen Darling and a visit to her studio.
Click below to see an interview with artist Karen Darling and a visit to her studio.