Karen Spurrell Southern Alberta Landscape Artist in Pastel and Watercolour

The Artistic Beginnings

“I can remember drawing and painting when I was a small child. It was very natural for me, always colouring, drawing animals or painting. My art making continued throughout grade school then into Jr high and finally senior high school. Once I was adult watercolour painting was my medium I chose to paint in. I participated in juried art shows with my watercolour paintings however it was not long before it was time to enter college”.

College and then Career

“After a couple years I completed my studies in Print Management from Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. These courses were in lithography and digital arts and it cemented the art foundation I lacked as I was a self-taught artistically leading up to this point. Following collage I embarked on my career and my art was enjoyed after work at night or not at all. I call this void of art in my daily life as the dark ages… in jest of course !”

Artistic Freedom Alas!

“In 2022, after three decades, I finally retired from my professional career. I am now happily pursuing my life long dream of being a full time professional artist. The Learning hasn’t stopped, I believe it is important to continually learn and grow as an artist. I follow and study many current and past artists as well read everything art. I have also taken workshop art instruction with USA nationally acclaimed artist Marla Baggetta, obtained artist critiques through Federation of Canadian Artists, and utilized learning features through my membership with Pastel Artists of Canada which all have been pivotal in my artistic journey”.

Making the Art

“How do I make a painting? The first step is by taking large amounts of photos on my hikes and drives around Southern Alberta . I am fortunate that I can just walk out on my back yard deck and see those beautiful mountains and expansive skies up close. My painting has transitioned primarily to using pastels as I love colour range, how transportable and immediate they are. Most of what I paint is either from quick on location sketches or compositions I create from many photos pieced together. Often what I paint is nothing what I saw when the photograph or sketch was created. Using my imagination and my memory of a place often weighs heavier in my approach to the painting”.

Exhibitions

2025 - Members Exhibition Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek, AB
2025 -14th Annual Members Juried Online Exhibition, Pastel Artists Canada
2025 - InFlux Juried Art Show; Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, AB
2024 -12th Annual Members Juried Online Exhibition, Pastel Artists Canada
2024 - Juried Members Exhibition, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek, AB
2023 - Juried Members Exhibition, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek, AB
2023 - “Here Comes the Sun”Juried Art Show; Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, AB
2022 - Juried Members Exhibition, Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, Pincher Creek, AB
2019 - Purely Pastel Juried Art Show; Pastel Artists of Canada, Vancouver, BC
2009 - “This is who I am” Juried Art Show; Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, AB
2008 - “It’s not what but how "Juried Art Show; Crowsnest Pass Public Art Gallery, Crowsnest Pass, AB
1993 - Prince Albert Winter Festival Juried Art Show; The Little Gallery, Prince Albert, Sask
1992 - Saskatchewan Summer Games Art show and Sale; Prince Albert, Sask
1991 - Prince Albert Winter Festival Juried Art Show; The Little Gallery, Prince Albert, Sask

Memberships

Pastel Artists of Canada | Signature Designation, PAC

Galleries

Allied Arts Council of Pincher Creek, The Lebel (403) 627-5272

About Karen