Karen Elder

I live on a little island called Hornby Island. This beautiful island lies between Vancouver Island and the mainland of BC. There are approximately 1000 people living here full-time with many others visiting or living part-time. A majority of the visitors arrive in the summer when the Island becomes this amazingly vibrant and cultural experience.

Since moving full-time to Hornby Island 7 years ago, I have been showing my paintings in many group shows with the Hornby Island Arts Council, the Artist Run Gallery, the Co-op and anything else that comes up. I have also had a solo show in the last year.

I started getting quite serious about painting in my 20's when I started showing my work in small group shows in Burnaby and then again while living in Prince Rupert. Over the years, I also took advantage of attending many workshops and classes with accomplished artists. In 1989 I was selected in a juried art show in the Pacific Northwest which resulted in me attending the BC Festival of the Arts in Chilliwack, BC for 5 days.

Since retiring from a long-time career working in various secretarial and executive positions I can now follow my dreams. I love my new life as an artist and island-dweller on Hornby Island. I opened my own studio "Bent-Tree-Studio" 3 years ago and am happy to say I have had quite a few sales through my studio and many customers who return on a regular basis.

I would describe my paintings as expressionistic and I paint what I feel. I generally do landscapes, seacapes, flowers and animals and work with watercolour, acrylic and oil. My true inspiration is the beautiful surroundings I am so lucky to live in and enjoy on a daily basis.